As a boy scout, I learned to always be prepared. Funny how, forty years later, that motto is still just as true and just as relevant. Want to retire? You have to prepare financially. Want to avoid being victimized by crime? You have to be prepared, for instance by joining Neighborhood Watch. Want to increase your chances of surviving a disaster? Get prepared through CERT training.
 
Interestingly, each of these types of preparedness rely on the same foundation, the three A's.

• Awareness
• Assessment
• Action

Awareness means not only that you are cognizant of the situation, but that you understand your own strengths and weaknesses.
Assessment means thinking through the situation and how to apply your strengths and weaknesses to it to achieve the best possible outcome. This is the step that many people leave out in their excitement to do something.
Action should only come after your awareness and assessment has identified what needs to happen and who needs to do it. In some cases, you may not play the lead role. In other cases, the best action may be not to act at all.
 
CERT training reacquaints you with the three A's. Each of the five CERT skills is based on them. The fundamental idea behind being a CERT responder is to do the greatest good for the greatest number, and not become a victim yourself. That requires the three A's.