Emergency Preparedness and 

Response Training

This document summarizes emergency preparedness and response training 

courses that are appropriate for the aging services network. The first four training 

options can be found on FEMA’s Training & Education webpage under the Individuals 

and Communities section. The last (fifth) training is from the Administration for 

Strategic Preparedness & Response, part of HHS.

Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN)

This Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) training is designed to 

empower community-based organizations (CBOs) to better prepare for

emergencies so they can remain operational and continue to serve the community 

when incidents occur. OPEN focuses on the following 10 preparedness actions and 

disaster response plan guidance:

• Identify the people you serve.

• Understand risk.

• Mitigate risk.

• Determine essential activities.

• Consider supply chain.

• Safeguard critical information.

• Establish a communications plan.

• Cross-train key individuals.

• Formalize plans.

• Regularly test and update plans.

OPEN is a 40-minute self-guided online training. Participants will have access to 

resources and be able to download their certificate of completion. OPEN also 

includes downloadable instructor materials that enable the participant to become a 

community trainer of OPEN. Using the instructor materials, the participant (now 
trainer) can guide others on how to identify risks, locate resources, and take 

preparedness actions. Instructor materials include an instructor guide with talking 

points and preparation tips, presentation slide deck, training flyer, promotion kit, 

videos, and graphics.

You Are the Help Until Help Arrives

The You Are the Help Until Help Arrives training teaches people how to act 

immediately when life-threatening emergencies happen. The training is designed for 

individuals rather than organizations. This training focuses on five simple steps to 

take to help others. Taking these five steps when an incident occurs can save a life or 

sustain the affected person until emergency responders arrive:

• Call 9-1-1.

• Stay safe.

• Stop the bleeding.

• Position the injured.

• Provide comfort.

This training is online, self-paced, and comprised of approximately 60 slides. The 

training includes an interactive learning video, which is a tool for participants to 

practice the five steps learned in the training. Participants may also download their 

certificate of completion and instructor materials — which come with an instructor 

guide, presentation deck, and fact sheet — so that the training can be disseminated 

in the community. 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainings

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings are 

focused on training volunteers to be part of a larger emergency 

response network. CERT is a national initiative that involves 

professional emergency response planners and first responders.

CERT Basic Training Course: Introduction & Unit Overview

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers learn to support 

emergency response professionals and their communities through preparation, 

helping themselves, and assisting others during disasters. CERT’s broader goals are 

volunteer training, emergency response practice, and emergency response 
deployment. The Introduction & Unit Overview webpage provides instructor guides 

and participant manuals for each of the nine training units. 

CERT will equip volunteers to assist until help arrives. The training covers basic skills 

that are important for emergency response volunteers to have when emergency 

services are not available. It provides a structured way for volunteers to deliver help 

within their communities while first responders handle more dire situations or until 

first responders arrive. Volunteers also can be eyes and ears for first responders. 

CERT volunteers can improve community resiliency after disasters. 

CERT Guide to Community Preparedness

The Guide to Community Preparedness is a four-lesson online course that takes 

approximately 45 minutes. It focuses on emergency management preparedness 

and ensures that CERT volunteers have community engagement tools for 

preparedness planning and action. This course includes a workbook that contains 

activities, discussions, and additional information. It can also be used as a reference 

guide to coordinate preparedness activities and find preparedness products and 

courses. 

HHS/ASPR: Addressing the Needs of Older Adults in Disasters

Addressing the Needs of Older Adults in Disasters is a U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 

Response (ASPR) online training for public health workers and emergency personnel 

who serve, or have the potential of serving, older adults. It is designed to improve 

public health and emergency medical responders’ capability to address the access 

and functional needs of community-dwelling older adults in disasters. This course 

provides information, resources, tools, and strategies to help you assess and address 

the needs of older adults in common disaster situations, including natural disasters 

and infectious disease outbreaks. 

The training is self-paced and will take approximately 90-120 minutes to complete. 

The course is accessed through Train.org. Participants will need to create an 

account, username, password, and profile before being able to access the training.