If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies, and you should use them. However, following a catastrophic disaster, you and the community may be on your own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and impassable roads. CERT training is designed to prepare citizens to help themselves, their family, and their neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, citizens can make a difference by using CERT training to save lives and protect property.