The organizing principle behind CERT is that civilian volunteers with a small amount of basic training can make a significant impact in disaster response when emergency services are overwhelmed. Volunteers shouldn't be doing things that require highly specialized skills to do safely, like entering heavily damaged structures or administering advanced medical care, but they can take care of minor tasks and free up emergency services to focus their efforts where they are more critical.

It takes a very community-oriented approach to preparedness. Which is just common sense, but I guess it bears pointing out in the year 2025—we are all obviously better equipped to survive large-scale catastrophes if we coordinate and work together, instead of indulging in some bullshit isolationst bunker fantasy.

Rational preparedness begins with intentionally deciding what situations you are preparing for. You cannot be perfectly prepared for everything; that way lies paranoia and anxiety, as you flood your nervous system with anticipated threats. Don't do that.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the most severe regional disaster we can anticipate is a Cascadia megaquake. This would be a giant earthquake, likely up to a magnitude 9.0, up and down the Pacific coast, from Northern California to Vancouver Island. We are, in geologic time, due for such a quake, and it is liable to be cataclysmic.

Anyway, to avoid a long digression on Cascadia: it's gonna be bad. Especially if the federal government's emergency response apparatus has been gutted and sold for parts.

So! CERT training is a way to stem the bleeding a little, and to feel more empowered to help in case of disaster, instead of only victimized.