The Patriot Emergency Response Team (PERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

PERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks.

Through PERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

FEMA’s Patriot Emergency Response Team Program trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through hands-on practice and realistic exercises, PERT members: learn how to safely respond to man made and natural hazards and to help organize basic disaster response.