A significant portion of the Fire Department’s resources are dedicated to the task of maintaining departmental resources in a ready state. All personnel must maintain a high skill level for an increasing range of responsibilities. Many of these skill levels must be tested and certified annually. Training is both a daily priority and a program vital to providing reliable emergency services. Complex equipment and apparatus require continual testing and training. The neighborhood disaster preparedness component of the Department’s public education program, known as the CERT Program (Community Emergency Response Team) is also managed under this Division.