Ohio Community Emergency Response Team
The Ohio Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent approach to volunteer training and organization that professional first responders can rely on during disaster situations, which in turn, allows responders to focus on more complex tasks.

The CERT program was designed as a grass root initiative and specifically structured so that local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their CERT programs in the way that best suits their communities.

Citizen Corps works through a national network of state and local Citizen Corps Councils, if local communities choose this advisory option, then leaders from law enforcement, fire, emergency medical and other emergency management, volunteer organizations, local elected officials, the private sector, and other community stakeholders that serve as an advisory board.
Local Citizen Corps Councils implement Citizen Corps programs. These programs may include CERT, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, Fire Corps and other affiliate programs that provide opportunities for special skills and interests. They also organize special projects and community events.
For CERT programs not endorsed by a local Citizen Corps, the program must be sponsored by a local emergency response organization such as a local fire department or emergency management office.
Citizen Corps affiliate programs expand the resources and materials available to states and local communities. They do this by partnering with programs and organizations that offer resources for public education, outreach and training; represent volunteers interested in helping to make their communities safer; or offer volunteer service opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief activities and community safety efforts.

CERT History:
The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

CERT became a national program in 1993. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. Each is unique to its community and all are essential to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.