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Registration Frequenly Asked Questions

Index of FAQs

 

List of FAQs

Who should complete this registration?

FEMA is asking official representatives from all new and existing local CERT Programs to complete the registration process and to update their profiles as needed with current information.

The goals of this new registration process are to ensure FEMA is providing the public with current contact information for local CERT Programs and to better measure and highlight the work done to strengthen local community preparedness. Information regarding the registration process can be found at the websites below.

Citizen Corps Council Registration Support web page: http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/registry.shtm.
CERT Program Registration Support Page at: at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/registry.shtm 

Is there a deadline by when I need to register my CERT Program?

The deadline to register your CERT Program is estimated to be March 30th, 2011 or on the date grant applications are due (this deadline has not yet been identified). CERT Programs that do not register by this deadline will not be eligible for FY11 Citizen Corps Program (CCP) grant funding under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).  Current grant information and updates can be found here: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/index.shtm. 

If I am re-registering an existing CERT Program, will this affect my current funding?  

No, re-registering your CERT Program should not affect current (FY10) and previous funding years. Please note that in order to be eligible for FY11 Citizen Corps Program (CCP) grant funding under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), CERT Programs must register and be approved by their state coordinator. 

How will my CERT Program benefit from registering?

Information sharing is a critical component of building and sustaining community preparedness.  Providing the expanded information included in the new registration process will benefit CERT Programs by: 

What is an appropriate Local Sponsoring Organization?

CERT requires a partnership between community members and local government, emergency management and response agencies. Local CERT programs should be sponsored by a local government agency that deals with emergency services.  In most communities, the local fire department fills this role, but local law enforcement agencies and local emergency management agencies also sponsor CERT.  In most cases, sponsorship includes all aspects of the program—funding and administration, conducting training, organizing the teams, setting policy for how team members will be activated, etc.

Note that Teen CERT training and Campus CERT training may be sponsored by the high school or college/university that conducts the training.  In these cases, it is important that  Teen CERT and Campus CERT training is endorsed by and conducted in partnership with a local government agency such as the fire department.  It is critical that emergency services personnel are aware of all CERT volunteers who are being trained so that they expect CERTs that may be active on scene in any emergency.

In some cases, the responsibility for conducting the CERT training and other program functions may be funded by local government but managed by a local non-profit organization.  In these cases, the local government agency that funds the program is the program sponsor.

My CERT Program has already registered, why do I have to register again?

All local CERT Programs that registered prior to 2011 will be archived and will not be displayed on the National CERT website.  Every CERT Program is required to re-register if they wish to have a listing in the CERT directory. 

I am the coordinator of a newly formed CERT Program. What should I do?

The new registration process is a great opportunity for new CERT Programs to register on the Citizen Corps website.

All guidance documents and information are available for Citizen Corps Councils on the Citizen Corps Registration Support web page at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/registry.shtm.

CERT Programs can visit the CERT Program Registration Support web page at: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/registry.shtm

These web pages provide how-to-guides, resources, and up-to-date information on the registration process. 

What are the steps to becoming a registered Council or CERT Program?

CERT Program coordinators will log on at CitizenCorps.gov/CERT to complete the registration process.  Registration involves entering the contact information for the CERT Program leadership, sponsoring organization, and answering additional questions on CERT Program activities. Once you create your user account, you do not have to complete the registration in one sitting; you will be able to save a partial registration and return at a later time to complete it. 

When you have finished the registration process, your submission will be reviewed by the State Citizen Corps or CERT Program coordinator, and approved or denied. When approved, the CERT Program’s contact information and related public information will be available to the public via the National CERT website. Denied CERT Programs will be provided the chance to revise and re-submit their application.

Technical support materials for CERT Programs are posted at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/registry.shtm and technical support materials for Citizen Corps Councils are available at http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/registry.shtm. 

I am the coordinator of a CERT Team that is part of a larger local, county, or tribal CERT Program. Do I need to register my CERT Team?

No. The CERT Program registry is not for individual CERT Teams that are organized within or otherwise related to a local CERT Program.  The registry is for CERT Programs only. 

I am a coordinator of a local Partner Program related to Citizen Corps (e.g. an MRC Unit, VIPS, Fire Corps, or Neighborhood Watch). Do I need to register?

No. The registration process is only applicable to CERT Programs and Citizen Corps Councils. However, we do encourage you to check with your local Citizen Corps Council and CERT Program leaders to make sure they are aware of this registration effort.  We also encourage you to be sure that your local unit is registered on the appropriate national program website (www.medicalreservecorps.gov, www.policevolunteers.org, www.firecorps.org, www.usaonwatch.org). 

What is the difference between "Local" versus "County" CERT Programs?

CERT Programs that are considered to be “Local” cover jurisdictions that are below the county level. This can include cities, unincorporated areas, townships, and census designated places (CDP). For more information on geographic areas below the county level, please click here.

CERT Programs are considered to be “County” if they serve jurisdictions that span one or more counties. Regional CERT Programs are considered to be “County” as their jurisdictions span multiple counties but are not state-wide. When registering these types of CERT Programs, please select all of the counties over which this CERT Program’s jurisdiction spans.

I received a phone call asking me to register my CERT Program. What should I do next?

If you are a CERT Program coordinator, please visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/registry.shtm and follow the instructions on how to re-register your CERT Program.

If you are a Citizen Corps Council coordinator, please visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/registry.shtm and follow the instructions on how to re-register your Citizen Corps Council. 

Who will see the information I submit?

The online registration form is divided into tabs.  Only the contact information, service area, and the information included in the “Public Info” tab will be posted on the portion of the website that is publically accessible.  Information provided in the “Additional Info” tab will only be accessible on the password protected section of the website.  This means that only other local Council/CERT Program password holders within your state, the respective state Citizen Corps and CERT Program coordinators and FEMA staff who have a password to the Citizen Corps and CERT websites will be able to view your responses to the questions in the “Public Info” tab. 

Which questions are required to be completed in the registration process?

Responses are required for each question; however, if you do not know an answer to a question, you may select “Do Not Know.” 

How will I know if my submission has been received?

You will receive and automatic email to acknowledge your initial submission and to notify you when an approval or denial decision has been made.   

How often am I expected to update this information?

Please keep this information current by updating your information as it changes.  Local CERT Programs that receive federal Homeland Security Grant Program funding from their state are required to update the information in their profiles at least twice a year.   

What do I do if I have forgotten my password?

Please visit https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/secure/index.do. Just below the "OK" button, there is a link to reset your password. Clicking on that link will take you to a page where you can type in your email address. Press the "Enter" key or click "Reset" and you will receive an email with a temporary password.  After you login successfully with the temporary password, you will be prompted to change your password. 

How do I get assistance if I have difficulties completing the registration?

If you are a CERT Program, please contact your state coordinator for further technical information. A list of state coordinators can be found at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/listCouncil.do?submitByState&stateOnly. You can also send emails to citizencorps@dhs.gov for questions related Citizen Corps Council registration and cert@dhs.gov for questions related to CERT Program registration.