What type of events does the CERT program specifically prepare citizens to handle?

The CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program is specifically designed to prepare citizens to handle catastrophic disasters. This focus is due to the understanding that during significant emergencies—such as earthquakes, floods, or large-scale fires—emergency services may be overwhelmed or unable to respond immediately. The CERT program trains individuals to assist with basic emergency responses in their communities, empowering them to take proactive measures during these large-scale events. This training includes skills such as first aid, fire safety, search and rescue, and disaster preparedness, all tailored for scenarios where conventional help may not be readily available. While other types of emergencies are important, the primary goal of CERT is to enable community members to effectively respond to and mitigate the impact of major disasters.