Starting a CERT Program

Step 3: Gaining Support & Recruiting

Developing Your Program Strategy

pen and paper

Before you begin marketing your CERT program, you will need to develop an overall strategy for the program.

Why Develop a Strategy Paper

Experienced CERT Program Coordinators suggest that a good way to develop the program strategy is by preparing a "white paper" that presents an overall approach to CERTs within the context of the community, its hazards, and its response requirements. After development, you can use the information from your "white paper" to market your program.

What To Include in Your Strategy Paper

The "white paper" should include the information listed below. As you consider your community's needs, you may find other topics that should be included in the "white paper" as well.

Topic What To Include
Current Situation in the Community
  • Threats faced by the community
  • Population needs
  • Number of professional responders
  • How CERTs can augment the response
Program Goals and Expectations
  • An overview of what CERTs will do in an emergency or disaster
  • How CERTs will complement professional responders
  • How many people will be trained in the first year
  • An estimate of how many people will be trained over the first 5 years
  • How skill levels will be maintained
Training Strategy
  • Training curriculum (Note: The FEMA curriculum can be augmented if the community faces additional threats to unusual conditions.)
  • Training methods
Team Organization
  • Types of teams: Neighborhood teams, rural area teams, workplace teams, non-profit organization teams, and others
  • How ICS will be used to manage the CERT response
Linkages With the Existing Response System
  • Protocols for "self-activation" and "call out"
  • Procedures for communicating with professional responders
  • Level of control by emergency responders