The US government has launched the CERT program -- Community Emergency Response Teams -- to educate citizens about disaster preparedness, and train them to respond effectively during disasters such as tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, explosions, fires, and pandemic diseases. CERT trained citizens are intended to be a community extension of first-responder emergency personnel. Here's how to get involved and find free training and emergency response gear.

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     **Read about the CERT program**

     Become more familiar with the CERT program's goals and operations. The CERT website describes the program as getting the general public ready for an assortment of emergency situations, including natural disasters, terrorism, fires, and floods.

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