National Awards

Criteria: Presented to an organization, program, or jurisdiction that successfully engages the whole community to improve disaster preparedness and resilience; encourages and explores ways to develop whole community partnerships; and advocates a grassroots approach to emergency planning.

Who Can Apply: Any individual, program, organization, or jurisdiction engaged in individual and community preparedness. This includes local government officials and community organizations (e.g. tribal councils, mayors, local emergency managers, local emergency individuals)

Criteria: Presented to an organization, program, or jurisdiction that has excelled in working with populations that are disproportionately impacted by disasters due to risks associated with economic status, limited English proficiency, cultural diversity, or access and functional needs in order to better prepare them for disasters.

Who Can Apply: Any individual, program, organization, or jurisdiction engaged in individual and community preparedness. This includes local government officials and community organizations (e.g. tribal councils, mayors, local emergency managers, local emergency planning councils, homeland security task forces, faith-based, civic, or volunteer organizations, private sector entities, registered Citizen Corps Councils, CERTs, Citizen Corps Partner Programs and Affiliates and other volunteer programs.

Criteria: Presented to the Community Emergency Response Team that created/implemented an initiative and/or innovation that improves the ability of their CERT program to achieve innovative and sustainable practices in emergency management to make their jurisdiction safer, stronger, better prepared, and more resilient (e.g. in the areas of public education, training and engagement; government/non-government partnerships and integration of services, capacity building, etc.)

Who Can Apply: Any registered CERT Program

Criteria: Presented to the CERT volunteer for outstanding contribution to their CERT program and community as an unpaid program manager, instructor, team leader or general volunteer.

Who Can Apply: Any unpaid volunteer serving in any role or capacity for a registered CERT program.