In addition to currently existing State Defense Forces, mandate formation of SDF's in states which are not currently active (Indiana Guard Reserve has an excellent training program in place).  Pre disaster training can be offered to the communities at large by SDF volunteer instructors, with the possibility of including certain categories of non-violent offenders for whom training and participation could be offered in lieu of incarceration (thereby easing overcrowding at local correctional facilities).

FEMA would incur an initial investment for training materials and basic CERT kits, with the costs being offset by the free labor provided by the volunteers.  As part of this process, offer FEMA preparedness courses to local high school students with the chance to earn extra credit for portions of their normal course work.