The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.
CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations and to assist first responders, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a national program.
FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team Program trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT members:
Learn how to safely respond to manmade and natural hazards
Help organize basic disaster response
Promote preparedness by hosting and participating in community events
2019 Events we have participated in
January 15th, 2019 – OSU Mansfield Student Lost – Called to Activate – Person Located before deployment
January 21st, 2019 – Opened a Warming Center in United Way/ Red Cross Building – Staffed from 6pm to 8am
January 29 – 31, 2019 Opened a Warming Center at Salvation Army / Dewald Center – Staffed from 6pm – 7am
29 – 30, 2019 Opened a Warming Center at Shelby YMCA – Staffed from 10pm – 5am
11 Volunteers @ 193 hrs
Donations made through CERT, Salvation Army, EMA, Red Cross and several Anonymous Donors
April 14th 2019 Shelby Tornado Assisted in security for businesses on SR39
April 15th – 19th Damage Assessment for Richland County EMA