How do CERT members maintain their skills?

CERT members and the sponsoring agency work together to maintain team skills. It is suggested that the sponsor conduct refresher classes and an annual exercise where all CERT members are invited to participate. Some response agencies have conducted joint exercises with CERTs and operate as they would during an actual disaster. The last point does bring up a lesson learned. Besides training CERT members, it is also important to train members of response agencies about CERTs, the skills that teams have and the role that they will have during a major disaster. 

Understanding that CERTs may operate independently following a disaster, CERTs can practice this independence by taking some responsibility for their training. Teams can design activities and exercises for themselves and with other teams.

Show All Answers

1. What is Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
2. Why take the CERT training?
3. How do CERT members maintain their skills?
4. What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
5. When and how did CERT start?