Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes involve a 9 module, 2-day, 16-hour course of instruction and practical exercise. The CERT trainers are City of Norfolk emergency management, firefighters, paramedics, and trainers from organizations such as Norfolk's Technical Rescue Operations Team and the American Red Cross.

It is hoped that this program will provide a mechanism that promotes proactive involvement of private citizens, business groups, civic organizations and schools in homeland security and integrated emergency management.

Norfolk CERT is partnering with organizations, institutions, and other resources to develop and deliver an established program with guidance and grant funding assistance from the US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Norfolk Citizen Corps Council.