What to know
- CERC helps communicators and emergency responders better reach people with lifesaving information about disasters and other public health emergencies.
- CDC’s CERC program offers in-person and virtual CERC trainings for individuals and organizations.
About CERC
CDC’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) program provides trainings, tools, and resources to help health communicators, emergency responders, and leaders of organizations communicate effectively about risks during emergencies. CERC draws from lessons learned during past public health emergencies and research in the fields of public health, psychology, and emergency risk communication.
CERC training
Introduction to CERC
Introduction to CERC is a full-day (8-hour) CERC training that helps participants understand CERC principles and recommended practices and how applying them can help reduce harm during an emergency response. Training includes in-depth practice on a variety of skills and techniques relevant to crisis and emergency risk communication. When conducted virtually, this course usually takes place over the course of two consecutive days in four-hour sessions.
CERC for Leaders
CERC for Leaders is a half-day (4-hour) training designed to help emergency response leaders who are not communication experts understand the role of CERC in reducing harm during emergencies.
CERC Workshop
A CERC workshop lasts 2–3 hours and provides an overview of the core CERC and plain language principles. Workshops include limited practice on applying the concepts presented.
CERC Presentation
A CDC CERC trainer can talk with your organization for 60 minutes about how CERC can enhance emergency response efforts, protect health, and improve lives.
Who this training is for
For Organizations
Contact the CERC program at cercrequest@cdc.gov to learn if CERC training is right for your organization. If the CERC program can meet your needs, we can discuss whether in-person training or virtual training via Zoom is the better option. There is no charge for the training itself. However, for in-person training, the host is responsible for the instructors’ travel costs including airfare, lodging, meals, and ground transportation. In general, Department of Health and Human Services grant funds cannot be used to pay for these expenses.
For Individuals
The CERC program offers virtual Introduction to CERC trainings via Zoom that are open to public health professionals and emergency responders.
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Resources
CERC manual
The CERC manual provides an evidence-based framework and recommended practices for anyone who communicates on behalf of an organization responding to a public health emergency. The manual is the basis for all other CERC materials and trainings.
CERC webinars
The CERC webinars last about one hour each and cover material similar to what is presented in a live CERC training.
CERC Wallet Cards
The printable CERC wallet card summarizes CERC and is a quick reference for communicators during an emergency. The wallet-sized card easily attaches to a lanyard and is available in English, Spanish, and French.