Community Emergency Response Training

The Community Emergency Response Training (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.

We encourage you to contact our Emergency Management Division office at 410-548-4820 and attend one of our quarterly meetings to learn more.  You can still help us NOW, even without completing the entire training course.

Benefiting the Community

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. If a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capability, CERT members can apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give critical support to their family, loved ones, neighbors or associates in their immediate area until help arrives.

When help does arrive, CERTs provide useful information to responders and support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. CERT members can also assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community. CERTs have been used to distribute and/or install smoke alarms, replace smoke alarm batteries in the home of elderly, distribute disaster education material, provide services at special events, such as parades, sporting events, concerts and more.

To take the CERT training, contact the Department of Emergency Services at 410-548-4820.

Physical Requirements

There are many jobs within a CERT team for someone who wants to be involved and help. Following a disaster, CERT members are needed for documentation, comforting others, logistics, etc. Non-disaster related team activities may include keeping databases, developing a website, writing a newsletter, planning activities, helping with special events and organizing exercises and activities. During CERT classroom training, if one has a concern about doing a skill like lifting, just let the instructor know. You can learn from watching.

We would like everyone who wants to go through the training to have an opportunity to participate and learn the skills. CERT educates participants about local hazards and trains them in skills that are useful during disaster and life’s everyday emergencies.

Getting Involved

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there may be times when an emergency or disaster 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.

Maintaining Team Skills

CERT members and the local sponsoring agency work together to maintain team skills and the working partnership. Refresher classes and an annual exercise where all CERT members are invited to participate is suggested.