Templates and links
The documents a new program needs, and the free federal and state material it’s built on.
From Avery County’s program
We’re writing these as we go and sharing them with other counties. Ask for any of them — tell us which, and we’ll send what’s ready.
- Model resolution for the Board of CommissionersEstablishes the program and names Emergency Management as sponsor.
- Sponsorship agreementBetween the county and the nonprofit convening partner — roles, grants, and who owns equipment.
- Operating guidelines and bylawsBuilt on the NC CERT Standard Operating Guidelines.
- Emergency Operations Plan CERT annexActivation rules, mission sets, and how CERT reports in.
- Membership packetApplication, code of conduct, waiver, background-check consent, scope-of-practice card.
- Western NC skills classesThe supplemental classes above, in English and Spanish.
- Equipment specificationsKit lists, cache contents, radio plan, vendor list.
- Grant narratives and budget workbookKeyed to each funder on the Funding page.
- Exercise packageIncluding a communications-out full-scale scenario.
Free from the state and FEMA
- NC CERT program (ReadyNC)North Carolina’s CERT page and contacts.
- NC CERT Standard Operating Guidelines (2026)The state rules your program follows.
- FEMA CERT Basic training materialsInstructor guide, participant manual and slides — free.
- FEMA program registrationRegister your program nationally.
- Hybrid CERT Basic (National CERT Association)Online plus in-person delivery, English and Spanish.
Programs near you to call
The best advice comes from programs that just did this. See CERT across Western NC.
Talk it through with us
We’re a few steps ahead and glad to share what we’ve learned — or to bring your county into a regional class or instructor cohort.
Contact us