For over six years, Acme Digital Design principal, Susan Lustig, has been assisting with graphics for the Los Angeles Fire Department CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Unit. She has created flyers and brochures for the unit for outreach to the LA communities as well as designing the CERT-LA.com website and contributing to its content. Like for all CERT members, it is strictly volunteer.

In 1987 Los Angeles implemented the concept of CERT and since then it has spread across the US and into many countries. CERT is now part of FEMA under Homeland Security. It starts with a 17.5 hour course that teaches citizens how to handle emergency situations in order to protect the individual, their family and their community. In Los Angeles, all CERT instructors are LAFD members. With additional training, LA CERT members can volunteer to be put on the Call-out team in order to assist the LAFD in large emergencies as well as events and other activities.

Click on these links to learn more about the CERT program and to see where there are CERT Units in your area.