Starting a CERT Program
Step 5: Tailoring Training
Reviewing the CERT Content
It is important that you review the basic CERT materials carefully both to familiarize yourself with the course content and to identify areas that require tailoring for your program. Make sure to review both the Instructor Guide and the Participant Manual. Click on these links to help you review the materials thoroughly and identify areas that you need to revise:
Step 1: Review the Course Overview
The Course Overview will provide you with general information about the CERT program and the materials. Review this section carefully to ensure that you understand the CERT concept fully and gain some ideas about how to implement CERTs in your community.
Step 2: Review Unit 1 – Emergency Preparedness
Unit 1: Emergency Preparedness sets the context for the remainder of the CERT program. The unit includes a general description of the CERT program, together with preparedness and response information for a wide array of potential hazards (included as appendices to the unit). Some of the hazards included in these sections may not present a risk in your area, so you will want to review them carefully and use only the information about those hazards that present a threat. As you review Unit 1:
- Review the Objectives, Scope, and Methodology to gain a quick overview of what will be presented and the general flow of the unit.
- Review the unit content carefully.
- Mark your changes directly in the Instructor Guide so that you know what you need to change in the electronic files.
- Identify local examples that will add interest to the material.
- Review all activities to:
- Determine whether they meet your program's needs.
- Determine how the activities must be conducted and managed in your community.
- Verify equipment requirements.
After reviewing the entire unit, return to the time plan and visualize the flow. Given the changes you've marked:
- Can the material be presented in the time allotted?
- Does the material meet your program needs?
- Do you have questions about any of the unit content? If so, write them down. Contact another CERT Program Coordinator or the FEMA CERT Program Coordinator for advice.