CERT Skills
Is this event right for you?
You might enjoy this event if you:
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Have an interest in disaster response and community safety.
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Enjoy learning practical skills like first aid, search and rescue, and emergency operations.
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Want to explore careers in emergency management, public safety, or disaster medicine.
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Prefer a combination of a written knowledge test and real-world skills assessment.
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Value preparedness, safety, and the ability to provide critical care in challenging situations.​
Event Details
Detail
Info
Emergency Preparedness Event
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​Team of 2 competitors
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Written test – 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes
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Skills demonstration (SALT triage, life-threatening interventions, head-to-toe assessment, lifts and carries, splinting closed fractures)​
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Round 1: 60 minutes
Round 2: 4–8 minutes per skill
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Highest Round 1 test score
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​Disaster preparedness, CERT organization, life-threatening interventions, medical operations, triage, disaster psychology, fire safety, light search & rescue, terrorism
TYPE​​​
FORMAT​​​​​
​ROUND 1​​​
TIME LIMIT​
TIE BREAKER​
​ROUND 2
FOCUS AREAS
Topics on the Test
1. Disaster Preparedness– 15%​​
2. CERT Organization– 5%​​​​
3. Life-Threatening Interventions & SALT Triage– 30%​​​
4. Medical Operations– 20%​
5. Disaster Psychology– 10%
6. Fire Safety– 5%​
7. Light Search & Rescue Operations– 15%​
8. Terrorism– 5%
Study Materials & Practice
Key Official References:
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CERT Online Training Course IS-317: FEMA Training Portal
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CERT Training Materials: Community Emergency Response Team Training Participant Manual (Sept 2024 edition)
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First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST) – American Red Cross
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SALT Mass Casualty Triage Online Training Program – National Disaster Life Support Foundation
Event Day Checklist:
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Photo ID for both rounds
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Two #2 pencils (non-mechanical) with erasers
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Disaster Kit including:
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PPE (gloves, eyewear, masks, helmet & gloves [may verbalize], sturdy shoes [may verbalize])
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Bandaging materials (sterile gauze, roller bandages, trauma dressing, non-stick dressings)
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Tourniquet (HOSA provides or competitor’s own)
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Bandage scissors or medical shears
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Patient tags (note cards), triage tape, pen/marker
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Alcohol-based hand rub
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Clipboard or notebook (optional)
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Professional business attire or official HOSA uniform (Round 1)
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Attire appropriate for disaster response (Round 2)
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Know the General Rules & Regulations
Tips from Previous Competitors
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