Das CERT (Chaos Emergency Response Team) is a team of professionally trained doctors, nurses, paramedics and diversely trained medics, firewomen and specialists in crisis intervention.

They take care of all emergencies and problems that require medical attention. Whatever sickness or injury you come up with, the CERT is your place to go to. This team also makes sure that fire safety regulations are adhered to and emergency routes are unblocked.

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About us

Did you ever felt sick or had an accident at Congress or one of our Camps? We do hope not. But if so, then you probably know the Chaos Emergency Response Team (CERT). It is a team of trained medical and fire prevention personnel who help in case of need. They ensure a safe and sound event and aim to reduce dangers of all kinds.

It has now been more than twenty years ago since the idea to form an emergency team of our own arose. Today, no one can imagine how Camp or Congress could function without the first responders—not least because the team provides expert assistance in the run-up to the event as well as practical help during it.

At 19c3, the actual CERT as we know it today came into existence and has grown ever since, focussing on medical services, fire prevention and crisis intervention. Around 100 paramedics, nurses, firefighters, and doctors are involved, working alongside a long-standing core team. But not only that, by now the CERT also includes psychologists, emergency counselors, and mediators in order to be well prepared for any incident. This means that experienced professionals are available around the clock for personal crises or interventions. If an intervention of any sort is required, you can count on the CERT.

As a result of growing in numbers, we now also have dentists, pediatricians, chemists, search&rescue specialists and lifeguards (“for the ball pit”) have found their way to us; there is even a professional high-altitude rescuer! Well, okay, there is also a radiologist on the team, but (fortunately) without an X-ray machine.

In case of a severe medical emergency, the CERT is equipped to help like any professional emergency vehicle could. We aspire to "leave no nerd behind" and have been succesful in this so far.

Every year, more and more people are interested - be it as an angel or as a patient. With the numbers of participants and size of the event locations ever growing, there's gonna be more and more work for us.

A short glance into the typical

To give you an idea of the typical cases we deal with: At 33c3, 367 patients presented themselves at the CERT and, statistically speaking, most of them had minor cuts or headaches, or both. Outliers are memorable, such as the head laceration caused by a Lego brick. Angels struggling with exhaustion after several shifts in a row have also been admitted CERT. Please be mindful of your own limits and make sure you regularly sleep and take breaks.

In case you need help, starting day 0, you can call 112 on every DECT phone or pay the CERT a visit on the second level behind Hall Y. Every „Angel“ – as we call our volunteers – with a radio or a DECT phone is able to alert the team of first responders. You can also reach the CERT via Mastodon, but please refrain from using this channel for emergencies.