Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Specially administered by the Department of Homeland Security, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) seeks to educate the American public about disaster preparedness and trains them in “basic disaster response skills” such as fire safety, elementary search and rescue (SAR) operations, and first aid. CERT also teaches people how to work in conjunction with established first responders and community organizations to assist in the recovery after a natural disaster or terrorist attack. [1] CERT Teams typically report to the local or County Office of Emergency Management. The CERT teams are engaging in a policy that seeks to create a mindset shift within the psyche of the American public from a response culture to a “preparedness” culture through its programs of community outreach and education.
Julian California CERT is the product of years of work by a husband and wife team, Johnny and Dianne Hake. Their tireles effort has brought this program and the sister program of TEEN CERT to Julian. Thanks alone cannot do justice to the regard the community of Julian California has for these two.