Q: What is CERT?

A: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Q: How Does CERT benefit the community?

A: People who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace.

Q: Who can take the training?

A: ANYONE who is interested in helping their own home, neighborhood, community, or workplace prepare for disaster and provide assistance afterward.

Q: Why take the CERT training?

A: Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there can be an emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community's immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need them. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates while waiting for help. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

Q: How do CERT members maintain their skills?

A: CERT members may attend classes provided through the CERT program instructed by local community agencies on weather spotting, special needs concerns, utilities control, first aid and CPR, and others.
As of right now, Yellowstone County does not have any re-certification need for CERT trained people. This is mostly due to the fact that the program is still young. When the program has been around for a while longer this question and others like it will be addressed. Until then, there is no need to be re-certified after a period of time.