Maintaining a CERT Program
Step 2: Maintaining Partnerships
Words of Advice: Tips for Maintaining Partnerships
Click on a topic to review tips from experienced CERT Coordinators:
- Every Aspect of CERT Demonstrates Partnerships
- Working and Thinking Outside the Box
- Partnerships Are Essential
- Partnerships and Resources
- Partnerships and Expertise
Rachel Jacky - Portland, Oregon
Every Aspect of CERT Demonstrates Partnerships
We have partnerships with other agencies for their expertise, we partner with the business community for funding and supply assistance, and then we partner with our volunteers and enlist them as our own to spread the word, train one another, and build support.
It seems that every aspect of a CERT program demonstrates some kind of partnership. The primary partnership is between the agency that sponsors and trains the teams, and the citizens who give us their time, energy, and commitment to make the teams effective. We train and operate our teams in partnership with our professional responders. We exercise our teams in partnership with other CERT programs in our area. We equip our teams through partnerships with the private sector.
Click this link to access the Connection article titled "CERTs...Bigger Than Disaster Response!."
Joseph Daly - Edgewater, Florida
Working and Thinking Outside the Box
After the CERTS complete their initial training courses, CPR training, ARC courses and disaster drills, etc. how do you maintain the group's interest? Edgewater CERTS form partnerships and become involved in community activities. The community involvement helps to sustain the CERT members interest in the program.
Frank Lucier - San Francisco, California
Partnerships Are Essential
Partnerships (with fire departments, emergency medical, law enforcement, emergency managers) are essential for starting and maintaining a CERT program. Establishing partnerships eliminates many of the turf problems we have seen in the past.
Maintaining partnerships with the business community can be extremely beneficial. For example, Chevron Corporation became our partner in San Francisco early on in the program. We trained over 400 of their employees who lived in the City. In addition, they hosted, at their facility, three of the train-the-trainer programs. The Corporation continues to support the concept of CERT today by hosting BayNET, an association of CERT program coordinators in Northern California.
Stew Anderson - Natrona County, Wyoming
Partnerships and Resources
Maintaining partnerships will help you obtain the people and materials needed for your CERT program. Encourage members of the press to observe CERT training and get involved in the program.
Joe Lowry - Memphis, Tennessee
Partnerships and Expertise
We have partnerships with other agencies for their expertise, we partner with the business community for funding and supply assistance, and then we partner with our volunteers and enlist them as our own to spread the word, train one another, and build support.