What is a primary goal of the CERT program?

The primary goal of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is to foster community engagement in emergencies. CERT empowers ordinary citizens by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to assist in emergency situations before professional responders arrive. This initiative encourages neighborhoods to take an active role in their own safety and preparedness, enhancing the community's resilience to disasters. By fostering a sense of collaboration and responsibility among community members, CERT helps to create a supportive environment where individuals are better prepared to assist not only themselves but also their neighbors during times of crisis.

In contrast, training professional responders is not the focus of the CERT program; it is designed for volunteers from the community rather than trained firefighters or emergency professionals. Similarly, while CERT might impart some basic knowledge related to firefighting, it does not provide advanced firefighter training, which is typically reserved for individuals pursuing a career in fire services. Lastly, the CERT program does not aim to eliminate local fire departments; instead, it complements their efforts by enhancing community preparedness and response capabilities, thereby supporting the overall emergency management framework.