The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an emergency preparedness program supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA began promoting nationwide use of the CERT concept in 1994 based on a model created and implemented by the Los Angels City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985.

Following a series of earthquakes in the United States and Mexico that left hundreds dead, injured, and without emergency services, the LAFD recognized that well-trained civilian emergency workforce teams are vital for disaster situations when the scope of incidents overwhelm conventional emergency services.