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VERMONT COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM CERT Home | Links | Contacts | Forms | CERT Training | Get Involved | CERT/RACES | History

Welcome to the Vermont Community Emergency Response Team on the web. We hope you find this site helpful and informative.

As a part of the President's Homeland Security plan, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs are being formed in cities and localities all across America.  CERT operates under the Citizen Corps Council plan that brings together community first responders, fire fighters, law enforcement, EMS, emergency managers, and the volunteer community to involve all citizens in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, crime prevention, and emergency medical training.  The teams are made up of volunteers who are trained by CERT trainers.  Each year communities across Vermont are part of some disaster that will effect his or her area in one way or another.  These emergency events may be in the form of fires, accidents, severe storms, high winds, blizzards, floods or "man made" disasters. The damage which is caused by any disasters effects everyone from individuals to the government officials.

Many catastrophic events severely restrict and often overwhelm emergency response resources, communications, transportation and utilities.  In addition, they leave many individuals and neighborhoods cut off from outside support.  When we hear about this or see it on the news, it always seems to be happening to someone else, but it might be you who needs some help this time.

CERT Mission

The mission of the Vermont Emergency Management CERT program is to work in partnership with the state and local public safety agencies and the community to produce a pool of citizens trained in disaster preparedness and response to provide leadership and coordination during an emergency and for immediate assistance to victims. Vermont Emergency Management CERT members also assist with non-emergency projects to provide information and a safe environment for the communities within the State of Vermont.

CERT Operational Guidebook (78 kb) (updated 2/10/09)
The Connection - America's Bridge to Preparedness
Download CERT Training Materials (English or Spanish version)