Empowering Communities Through CERT: Why Your Next Rescuer Might Be a Veteran—or a Neighbor

Empowering Communities Through CERT: Why Your Next Rescuer Might Be a Veteran—or a Neighbor

In times of disaster, help might not arrive in a uniform. It may come in the form of a neighbor with a flashlight, a parent with first aid training, or a veteran-turned-volunteer who steps up when the sirens haven't arrived. This is the vision of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program—a national movement that’s transforming ordinary citizens into trained responders ready to support their communities in times of crisis.

Rising from the Rubble: Why CERT Exists

The origins of CERT trace back to hard-learned lessons from international and domestic disasters. After witnessing how civilians became first responders in the aftermath of Mexico City’s 1985 earthquake and Los Angeles’ Whittier Narrows quake in 1987, U.S. emergency planners realized the value—and necessity—of training everyday people.

Formally launched by FEMA in 1993, CERT has since grown to over 2,800 programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 volunteers trained. The idea is simple: when disaster strikes, citizens are often first on the scene. Instead of leaving them unprepared, CERT equips them to act safely and effectively.

Training for the Unexpected

CERT programs deliver classroom and hands-on training in a wide range of emergency skills, including:

• Fire safety and fire extinguisher use

• Light search and rescue

• First aid and triage

• Disaster psychology

• Utility and hazardous materials safety

• Emergency team coordination

For volunteers like Brenda Burke, who lost her home in California’s Atlas Fire, the training is more than just academic. “I felt so helpless,” she said. “Now I know what to do. I don’t feel afraid anymore.”

Veterans Lead the Way: A New Chapter with Covenant of Courage and JLBC Cadet Corps

At Covenant of Courage and the JLBC Cadet Corps, CERT training is becoming a vital tool in the mission to empower veterans and mentor youth. Veterans bring leadership, discipline, and crisis experience—making them ideal CERT trainers and team leaders. By teaching disaster preparedness, these veterans rediscover purpose and play a pivotal role in protecting their neighborhoods.

Through CERT, young cadets learn critical thinking, emergency readiness, and civic responsibility. The intergenerational mentorship model fosters a culture of service while preparing a new generation of resilient leaders.

Local, Tailored, and Life-Saving

CERT programs are designed to meet the specific needs of each community. A team in Vermont may train for blizzards and hypothermia. In coastal South Carolina, they focus on hurricane response. Some communities develop unique specialties—from animal rescue to snowmobile evacuation teams.

This flexibility makes CERT a valuable local asset—not just during disasters, but at public events, neighborhood drills, and outreach programs.

The Takeaway: Real Preparedness Starts at Home

As FEMA and local governments prepare for the growing threats of wildfires, floods, and extreme weather, they’re increasingly turning to CERT teams to bridge the gap between chaos and order. Whether you're a veteran, student, or concerned citizen, there's a place for you in this movement.

Programs like Covenant of Courage are proving that resilience isn’t just built—it’s taught, shared, and passed down.

🛠️ Want to get involved?Find a CERT program near you at ready.govOr learn more about veteran-led training through covenantofcourage.com