Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team program educates people about preparing for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills like fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Students learn in the classroom and during exercise. CERT members can assist others after an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

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Fire Corps provides opportunities for residents to assist their local fire department. Residents assist by performing non-emergency tasks and roles, enabling department members to focus on emergency response and training. Engaging citizens may also allow departments to increase the services they offer, such as enhanced fire safety education programs. In return, citizens gain a greater understanding of the fire and emergency services and become better prepared to handle their own emergencies as well as those of their neighbors. Fire Corps members also act as advocates for the fire and emergency services in the community.

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Medical Reserve Corps units are community-based and help organize and use volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. Volunteers include medical and public health professionals. Other key support positions include interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisers, and among others.

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USA on Watch was created by the National Sheriffs' Association, in conjunction with several well-known federal agencies, to advance this cause by encouraging the initiation and/or revitalization of neighborhood watch programs throughout the country. One of the oldest and best known crime prevention concepts in history, neighborhood watch, was created to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime. USA on Watch is used not only to promote neighborhood watch programs but also record the number of neighborhood watch programs started.

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The Volunteers in Police Services program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a community law enforcement agency. The program’s ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.

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