The FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program originated in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, in response to a series of devastating earthquakes. Recognizing that citizens were likely to be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic event, the Los Angeles City Fire Department developed the CERT training to empower community members with basic response skills. The program was adopted on a national scale by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1993. Its primary purpose is to train volunteers in disaster preparedness and basic response techniques, enabling them to assist themselves and their neighbors during incidents when professional first responders might be delayed or overwhelmed, thereby strengthening community resilience and collaboration during emergencies.
Over the past twenty years, various State Defense Forces (SDF) have experimented with incorporating CERT training into their programs, leading to diverse outcomes. This incorporation has sparked debate within the State Defense Force community. While some view CERT as a valuable addition, others argue it doesn’t resonate with the core objectives of the State Defense Force. These individuals suggest that State Defense Forces should prioritize their specialized training modules, which encompass advanced courses in Search & Rescue, Point Of Distribution (POD), Communication, and Logistics management, rather than the more basic CERT curriculum designed for civilian volunteer groups.
CERT emphasizes rudimentary medical aid, basic search & rescue, and elementary fire suppression. Critics highlight that State Defense Force curricula, anchored in US Army & National Guard standards, offer more advanced expertise in these areas than CERT does.
So we want to hear from you, do you believe State Defense Forces should incorporate CERT into their training curriculum?
– Yes, the training is useful for State Defense Forces even if it more basic than current SDF curriculum
– No, it is too basic of a program for State Defense Forces who utilize more advanced curriculum
