In order to become a member of the Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) you no longer have to be a graduate from the CERT Program (Community Emergency Preparedness Team). DART focuses on working with community-based organizations to develop and promote disaster resilient communities. However, we encourage everyone to take the CERT training. Although the skills taught in CERT classes are fairly basic they can form the foundation for better personal preparedness.
CERTs are all graduates from a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. This is a 20-hour training in disaster response, sponsored and overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training participants acquire the skills needed to deal with small fires, rescue people and animals who are trapped by debris, search buildings in a methodical way and apply basic first aid.
CERT Basic Training ends with a drill during which the participants have to demonstrate that they know how to apply what they have learned in class. In California, upon graduation they are sworn in as Disaster Service Worker Volunteers (in California) which makes them available as resources to local emergency managers. To find a Community Emergency Response Team near you, please follow this link
