Community Emergency Response Team


The Pulaski County Emergency Management office will be establishing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and will be looking for volunteers to become trained members of the CERT Team. Training will be provided by the Emergency Management office and will be free.



Join Our Volunteer Team

There is no cost for this training, only a commitment to volunteer as part of this team.

CERT Training will teach participants to:

  1. Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities.
  2. Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response.
  3. Take steps to prepare themselves, their families, and their neighbors for a disaster.
  4. Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces.
  5. Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid.
  6. Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating shock.
  7. Conduct triage under simulated conditions.
  8. Perform head-to-toe assessments.
  9. Select and set up treatment area.
  10. Employ basic treatments for various wounds.
  11. Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations.
  12. Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure.
  13. Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication.
  14. Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.
  15. Identify actions to take following a suspected terrorism event.

CERT Brochure

Application to Participate in Community Emergency Response Team Program

Memorandum of Understanding for Participation

Completed applications and a signed Memorandum of Understanding can be emailed to: rkos@pulaskicounty.org

Applications are due by April 25, 2022 for this training session.

CERT Training Schedule

Session 1: May 2, 2022 Disaster Preparedness and CERT Organization
Session 2: May 5, 2022 Incident Command System (ICS)
Session 3: May 9, 2022 Disaster Medical Operations I
Session 4: May 12, 2022 Disaster Medical Operations II
Session 5: May 16, 2022 Disaster Psychology and Terrorism
Session 6: May 19, 2022 Fire Safety And Utilities
Session 7: May 23, 2022 Light Search and Rescue Operations
Session 8: May 26, 2022 Practical Skills Review
Session 9: June 4, 2022 Final Exercise and Graduation
Sessions 1-8 are conducted on Monday & Thursday nights 6:30PM -10:00 PM (4 Weeks)
Session 9 is conducted on a Saturday morning 8-12 noon


About CERT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994. Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities throughout the Nation.

CERT training promotes a partnering effort between fire, rescue, and emergency services and the citizens and businesses that they serve. The goal is for fire, rescue, and emergency services personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, and/or workplaces in basic preparedness and response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for their area.

If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s emergency response capabilities, CERT members can assist others within their area by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they have learned through their training. The knowledge and skills gained through CERT training may help to save and/or sustain lives and property following a disaster until additional help can arrive. CERT skills may also be applied to daily emergencies.

CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities. They can attend supplemental training opportunities offered by the Pulaski County Department of Emergency Management that enhance their knowledge and skills. Finally, CERT members may be asked to assist with projects that enhance the CERT program and/or improve the communities emergency preparedness knowledge, skills, and abilities.