During emergencies or disasters, CERT will be there. CERT provides community members with the disaster-related know-how they need to be self-sufficient and support others, if necessary, until help can arrive.

CERT brings new services to our community as it is a nationally-recognized program that developed in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The curriculum is well defined and includes terrorism awareness. Communities with established CERT programs receive funding for training and resources. Team members get the same training with CERT no matter where they live and training certification is transferable.

There are many ways to participate. If you want to learn the skills to be better prepared in the event of a disaster, the Participant level is for you. After completing the basic course, you will receive a certificate and patch. If you want to commit to help your community for a minimum of one year by responding as a member of a team, the Active level is for you. You will register to become a Volunteer Disaster Worker for the City, receive a helmet, vest ID card and backpack and be a member of a responding team. Either way, you will be helping your community in its time of greatest need. Quarterly drills are coordinated by fire department personnel to maintain and improve CERT skills.

In August of 1994, the Monterey Fire Department responded to a growing concern on the part of the citizens of Monterey to provide disaster response training. With this in mind, the Monterey Fire Department brought the San Francisco Fire Department's highly successful Neighborhood Emergency Response Training (NERT) program to Monterey.

The first class of Monterey trainees completed the course in February of 1995. These enthusiastic NERT's, who understand the importance of being prepared, have spread the word since that time. Requests for additional classes have been pouring in from citizens and businesses. Over time, this local program was replaced with a national program known as CERT (Community Emergency Response Training).

The Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes have demonstrated the importance of civilian volunteers during a disaster. Spontaneous volunteers are always first on the scene to conduct initial search, rescue and first aid. CERTs are trained to communicate effectively, and to participate in disaster response efforts.