Which of the following describes the action of CERT members during a disaster?

The action of CERT members during a disaster is best described by the option stating they assist emergency personnel when requested. This reflects the core philosophy of the Community Emergency Response Team program, which emphasizes the importance of teamwork and partnership with local emergency services.

CERT members are trained to provide support and augment the efforts of professional responders. They are not first responders themselves but play a crucial role in situations where immediate assistance is needed until professional help arrives. This collaborative action helps ensure that the community's needs are met more effectively during emergencies.

By responding to requests from emergency personnel, CERT members can apply their training in areas such as triage, basic first aid, search and rescue, and disaster psychology, among others. Their role is to fill gaps and assist in a coordinated response, highlighting their function as vital community resources who operate under the guidance of established emergency services.

In contrast, other options imply isolation or limitation in the scope of their actions, which does not align with the collaborative nature of CERT operations. For instance, collaborating solely with emergency services and taking sole responsibility for disaster management would either eliminate community involvement or misrepresent their supportive role in disaster response scenarios. Responding only when completely prepared can lead to inaction when immediate response is crucial.