The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide implementation of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994.  Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities in the U.S. 

 

If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the emergency services personnel, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training.  These skills can save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.  CERT skills also apply to daily emergencies.

CERT members have the opportunity to maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and activities.  They can attend supplemental training that will be hosted periodically through Metro West FPD and Meramec Valley Citizen Corps Council.  This will keep members fresh on skills learned in the initial training and further their skill base.