About CERT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, using the model created by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, began promoting nationwide use of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept in 1994.  Since then, CERTs have been established in hundreds of communities.

The CERT training program has been established in Lexington County.  CERT training promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people they serve.  The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or workplaces in basic response skills.  CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response capability for the area.

If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training.  These skills can help sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives.

CERT members maintain and refine their skills by participating in exercises and community activities.  They can also attend supplemental training opportunities offered or coordinated by the sponsoring agency (Lexington County Emergency Management) that further their skill base.  Finally, CERT members can volunteer for projects that improve community emergency preparedness.

Target Audiences

 Neighborhoods, Businesses, Faith-Based Organizations, Scouting Organizations, School Staff/Students, Clubs/Organizations

Mission Statement

To educate citizens to be better prepared to take care of themselves, family, friends and neighbors in the event of a disaster of any type until trained responders can arrive.

Vision Statement

To establish CERT Emergency Management resources and community volunteers to help during an emergency and to perform projects that improve a community's preparedness.