I checked in to CERT training in my area about a year or so ago. Local Public Safety was cautious about answering questions.

I got the impression that they did not have the resources to teach the classes but would if we had an organization that would/could bring out a classroom full of people to all the training.

There are several CERT teams that have web pages. There are some in Salt Lake City I believe. They have a stash of equipment in a portable container. In theory the container would be taken to the scene and the CERT team would respond and assist at things like MCI (mass causualty incidents) airplane wrecks, building collapse, sport arena collapse, etc.

From what I can tell, you will need someone to drive the program. A true believer to get the team organized, encourage people to attend the training, and then keep interest up my scheduleing refresher training and drills. It seems you would also need to have some sort of awareness program to encourage new membership as well as teach Public Safety how and when to use the CERT teams.

My investigation seemd to point to differening levels of response for CERT teams. In some places like California, it was expected to be a neighborhood response to get things moving after an earthquake since Public Safety would be overwhelmed. In others it seemed like kind of a "B team" public safety that would be called into fill the ranks of responders during large events. I think the first idea of having everyone in your neigborhood aware and personally prepared with some basic skills to help others it the most likely.

Public Safety, both volunteer and paid, train and re-train to keep skills sharp and build trust with each other so they feel comforatable truely risking their own lives to help the public. They deal with the public on a regular basis and see the public during times of chaos and panic and generally do not hold much respect for the "Public At Large" to be self sufficent. CERT teams would be different in that they would have had some training and in theory would be responding by choice.

If a neighborhood CERT team, I see where it would make sense for everyone on the team to make half dozen or so 4x4 cribbing, keep a daypack with medical supplies, gloves, basic hand tools, etc. Maybe even buying in bulk to reduce the cost.

The hardest part I see is keeping interest amoungst the team members. They train and feel special about being part of something. No event happens for years and they begin to forget their training or feel unwanted/needed. I think a scout troop, church, or similar civic organization would make a good choice because they are already meeting and will get new members to keep the interest alive.