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How to Set Up a Community Emergency Response Team

# Public Safety

How to Set Up a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Get the step-by-step guide to launch a CERT program to help residents respond when seconds count.

CivicPlus

February 24, 2026

10 min

Emergencies can strike without warning. And to promote the best public safety outcomes, local governments need a network of resources to respond quickly.

That’s where a community emergency response team (CERT) can make a measurable difference. This guide explains how to set up a CERT team, train volunteers, and integrate the CERT program into broader community preparedness programs to help keep residents informed, supported, and, most importantly, safe.

What Is a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?

CERTs are made up of trained resident volunteers who support emergency services and assist their community when additional help is needed. A CERT program acts as a force multiplier, helping local governments extend their reach and maintain coordination during emergencies.

What CERT Volunteers Are Trained to Do

CERT volunteers participate in hands-on training and classroom exercises that prepare them to support response and recovery efforts. With proper training, CERT volunteers can:

Provide basic assistance to residents following a disaster.
Support first responders when professional resources are limited, including helping with fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.
Help organize and direct spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site.
Assist with non-emergency activities that improve overall community safety and preparedness.

See community emergency response teams in action with this video from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It highlights CERT stories from California, Florida, and Texas explaining how they came together to prepare their communities and assist their neighbors during emergencies.

The History and Evolution of CERT

The CERT concept began in 1985, when the Los Angeles Fire Department recognized the need for trained civilian volunteers after observing earthquake responses in Japan and Mexico. They saw firsthand that community members played a key role in the post-disaster support. CERT became a national program in 1993.

CERT over the years:

1985: CERT concept created by the LA Fire Department
1986: The LA Fire Department created a pilot program
1987: The Whittier Narrows earthquake that hit Southern California further confirmed the need for training residents to meet emergency needs
1993: FEMA adopted and expanded CERT nationwide, making training available to all communities
Today: There are over 3,200 local CERT programs and more than 600,000 trained volunteers in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories

How CERT Training Works

To become a CERT member, residents must take the CERT training from a sponsoring agency like an emergency management agency, fire department, or police department in the area where they live or work.

CERT training follows FEMA’s nationally recognized curriculum and includes:

CERT Basic Training Course: Covers disaster medical operations, fire safety, light search and rescue, and team organization.
Train-the-Trainer Course: A three-day course instructing participants to deliver FEMA’s CERT Basic Training course.
Independent study: Online courses like IS-317.A: Introduction to CERT and IS-315.A: CERT and the Incident Command System (ICS) are free and available to anyone.

How to Set Up a CERT in Your Community

Establishing a CERT program requires clear planning, defined objectives, and alignment with local needs. Below are the steps FEMA recommends local governments follow to launch a CERT.

Identify Program Goals

FEMA emphasizes that successful CERT programs are tied to quantifiable goals that follow the SMART framework (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound). This will help the program be tracked and adjusted over time.

Include quantifiable elements such as:

The number of trainers needed to deliver CERT Basic Training and ongoing exercises
The number of initial CERT volunteers to be trained
A target launch timeline

The program’s goals should also be tailored to community risks, available resources, and how the program will support emergency services and residents during disaster situations.

This upfront planning helps local governments build a program that is realistic, sustainable, and effective over time.

Conduct a Hazard Analysis

A hazard analysis identifies the risks the community is most likely to face and ranks them, so the CERT program can prioritize training, equipment, and outreach. FEMA recommends conducting a risk assessment early in the CERT planning process.

Start by identifying both traditional hazards and emerging risks:

Climate-driven events, such as snowstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme heat, rapid-onset flooding, or longer wildfire seasons, etc.
Cyber-physical threats, including cyber incidents that disrupt power, water, communications, or other critical infrastructure
Supply-chain disruptions, such as fuel shortages, limited medical supplies, or delayed food distribution

Once hazards are identified, assess each risk based on likelihood and potential impact.

From there, use the results of this analysis to tailor CERT training, exercises, and volunteer roles. For example, communities at higher risk for flooding or extreme heat may prioritize evacuation support, shelter operations, or wellness checks, while areas concerned about infrastructure outages may emphasize communications support.

Finally, a hazard analysis should not be treated as a one-time task. FEMA encourages ongoing evaluation and updates as conditions change, new risks emerge, or lessons are learned through exercises and real-world incidents.

Identify Budget and Needed Resources

Next, determine the budget and resources needed to support the CERT program. Common cost considerations include volunteer recruitment, instructor needs, training locations, outreach efforts, and ongoing exercises.

Local governments should also plan for basic supplies needed to equip CERT volunteers, such as:

First aid kits
Hard hats
Safety goggles or eye protection
Gloves
Respirators or masks, as appropriate
Protective coveralls
Team identification items, such as ID cards or vests

FEMA notes that CERT programs do not require large budgets, but costs will vary based on volunteer goals, training plans, and available partnerships.

CERT Budgeting and Grants

While some municipalities provide direct funding, FEMA states that CERT programs often rely on multiple funding approaches. However, that funding doesn’t come from FEMA as the organization doesn’t provide direct funding to local CERT programs. If necessary, consider applying for grant funding.

Beyond grants and municipal budgets, consider:

Asking for donations from local businesses or community partners
Fundraising efforts that also help raise awareness of the CERT program
In-kind contributions, such as donated equipment, supplies, or training space

Engage Elected Officials

Local leadership backing is often necessary to launch and sustain a CERT, regardless of available funding. So, seek the backing of local officials early in the CERT program’s creation.

To engage local officials effectively, FEMA recommends clearly explaining how a CERT supports community safety goals and complements existing emergency response efforts. Officials are more likely to support programs that are well organized, aligned with community needs, and demonstrate clear value. To do this, consider:

Explaining how CERT volunteers can support emergency services and preparedness efforts
Showing how the CERT program addresses local risks and gaps identified through hazard analysis
Highlighting partnerships with emergency management, fire, and other local organizations
Sharing a simple program plan that outlines goals, training approach, and expected outcomes

Elected officials can also play an important role in promoting the CERT program, helping build awareness and community participation once the program is established.

Register Your CERT

After securing a sponsoring organization, FEMA requires CERT programs to be registered as part of the National CERT Program. Registration formally recognizes the program, connects it to FEMA resources and guidance, and ensures the program is visible to residents and partners looking for preparedness support.

Understand Your Administration’s Liability

Before deploying CERT volunteers, local governments should understand potential liability considerations for both the organization and individual volunteers.

FEMA recommends working with legal counsel and program sponsors to clarify how CERT volunteers may be used, under what conditions they can be deployed, and how risk is managed during training, exercises, and real-world incidents. This includes understanding local policies, state laws, and the role of the sponsoring organization.

To help reduce liability, FEMA notes that CERT programs typically:

Use membership applications and waiver forms for volunteers
Clearly communicate safety expectations and limits of CERT roles
Emphasize that rescuer safety is the top priority during training and deployment

FEMA also stresses that CERT volunteers should only be deployed when authorized by the sponsoring organization and should operate within defined protocols, rather than self-deploying.

For more information, download the CERT Liability Guide.

Engage Local Emergency Responders

CERT programs should be designed to support and complement local emergency responders, not operate independently.

FEMA recommends talking with local emergency responders during the planning phase to identify where CERT volunteers can add value, such as preparedness outreach or limited response support when authorized. This coordination helps ensure CERT roles align with existing response plans and real-world needs.

Promote and Recruit

Recruitment can be a real challenge for CERT programs.

To combat this, FEMA recommends using multiple outreach methods and channels to recruit CERT volunteers. For instance, recruit through established community groups, including:

Schools
Workplaces
Civic groups
Neighborhood associations
Faith-based organizations

Recruiting CERT volunteers through these groups will likely be more effective than one-off outreach because these groups already have built-in networks and shared interests.

To help attract volunteers who are a good fit, be upfront about CERT expectations and time commitments. This’ll also help support long-term participation.

Include the Next Generation of Community Leaders

As part of the recruitment and promotion efforts, consider opening the CERT program up to local teens. Offering tailored training and limited volunteer opportunities for adolescent volunteers can help bring in new blood to the CERT program and encourage youth community engagement.

Find Teen CERT resources and information here.

Plan and Structure Your CERT Training Program

CPR dummy in class

FEMA recommends taking a planned, phased approach to CERT training delivery rather than launching an overly ambitious schedule at the outset. New programs are encouraged to start slowly, allow sufficient lead time, and pilot training sessions before expanding to additional classes.

When building a training schedule, keep the following in mind:

Establish a realistic cadence for CERT Basic Training based on community size, interest, and available instructors.
Allow enough preparation time for facilities, materials, and instructors.
Use pilot or initial sessions to gather feedback and refine future training delivery.

Remember that CERT training is not a one-time activity. Ongoing refresher training, exercises, and additional learning opportunities can help volunteers remain prepared to assist when needed.

Hold Regular Drills

In addition to classroom training, FEMA recommends using drills and exercises to help volunteers apply what they’ve learned. Regular drills can also reinforce safety, coordination under realistic conditions, and working together as a team.

Beyond building confidence and teamwork, drills should be treated as an opportunity to evaluate performance, identify gaps, and adjust training plans as needed. Lessons learned from these exercises should inform future training and program improvements.

Make the Training Experience Accessible and Inclusive

FEMA emphasizes that CERT training should be designed to accommodate a wide range of participants and that there is a place for everyone in CERT. Training environments, materials, and activities should be planned and reviewed to reduce barriers to participation.

Ensure training facilities are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This requirement means that individuals living with a physical disability will be able to access the room via a ramp or elevator.
Set up the classroom to be conducive to participation and engagement. For example, consider setting up seating in a U-shaped configuration that allows participants who are deaf or hard of hearing to see the instructor easily.
If necessary, make a microphone available in the room so that participants who are hard of hearing can hear instructors and other participants more clearly, and be prepared to offer the use of an assistive listening system.
Keep room lights on during instructional videos to increase visibility.
If necessary, arrange for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or the use of Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) providers. Send the interpreters a list of terms with which they might not be familiar in advance.
Secure interpreters or translators to participate in small-group breakout sessions, as necessary.
Send participants training manuals in advance to enable advanced learning and personal preparation.
Offer virtual and/or hybrid training.

Recognize Individual and Team Progress

One of the biggest challenges of CERT programs is getting and keeping volunteers.

Recognition can help overcome this. Volunteers who feel valued are more likely to remain engaged, attend refresher training, and participate in exercises and deployments.

Recognition doesn’t have to be formal or costly. For instance, recognize CERT members for completing their training by providing them with identification cards, vests, or helmets. Not only does this serve a practical purpose, but it also helps reinforce a sense of role and belonging within the program.

Other effective ways to recognize CERT volunteers can include:

Awarding certificates for completing training or refresher courses
Highlighting volunteers through social media shout-outs or newsletter mentions
Recognizing service through community or municipal awards
Hosting an annual appreciation event for CERT members
Sharing success stories on the municipal website to show real-world impact

Keep CERT Members Engaged

Sustaining a CERT program requires more than initial training or recognition. FEMA notes that volunteers remain engaged when they have ongoing opportunities to participate, practice skills, and see their role as meaningful over time.

Here are five strategies to help keep CERT members engaged in the program:

Provide regular opportunities to participate: Schedule refresher training, drills, and exercises throughout the year so volunteers can practice skills and stay connected to the team.
Keep communication consistent and two-way: Share updates on local risks, preparedness efforts, and upcoming activities, and give CERT members simple ways to offer feedback or ideas.
Offer leadership and ownership roles: Encourage experienced CERT members to assist with training, mentor new volunteers, or help organize activities. FEMA highlights shared responsibility as a way to sustain CERT programs and reduce volunteer burnout.
Create visible ways to contribute between emergencies: Involving CERT members in preparedness outreach, drills, or educational efforts helps maintain momentum and reinforces their role even when no disaster is occurring.
Connect participation to purpose: Share how CERT activities support preparedness goals or improve resident readiness. Volunteers are more likely to stay involved when they understand the impact of their contributions.

Reevaluate Goals Annually

CERT programs should be evaluated on an ongoing basis. As community risks change and the program matures, regularly revisiting goals helps ensure training, resources, and volunteer efforts remain aligned with current needs. FEMA recommends conducting a formal review at least once a year.

During this review:

Measure progress toward last year’s objectives
Review successes and areas for improvement, including training effectiveness and participation
Set new or revised objectives based on evaluation findings
Develop a plan for meeting updated objectives
Assess logistical needs, such as facilities, instructors, and equipment
Evaluate risk to members and adjust training or activities as needed

Be sure to use both quantitative data, such as attendance or completion rates, and qualitative input from CERT leaders, trainers, and volunteers to help inform reviews and decision-making.

Strengthen Your CERT Program with Reliable Emergency Communication

You’ve taken the first step toward building a resilient community by learning how to launch a CERT program. But even well-trained volunteers need timely, accurate information to act during an emergency.

A mass notification system helps to ensure you can instantly reach residents, CERT members, and staff with critical alerts, whether it’s a severe weather warning, evacuation notice, or safety update.

Ready to see how easy it is to keep your community informed? Explore the CivicPlus^® Mass Notifications solution at your own pace with a self-guided demo.

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