The Charlotte County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area. CERT members learn to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
The CERT program is a hands on all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable 3-day course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.
CERT training consists of the following classes:
- Disaster preparedness: Instructs team members how to prepare themselves and their community for the various types of hazards that may occur.
- Team organization and disaster psychology: Learn to work well in a team setting under stressful emergency event.
- Fire safety: Covers proper techniques for preventing and extinguishing small fires.
- Medical operations: Conduct triage, establish medical treatment areas, and provide basic first aid for victims.
- Basic search and rescue: Learn search and rescue planning, techniques, and rescuer safety.
- Terrorism Awareness: Define terrorism, terrorist goals, weapons, and indicators of a terrorist attack.
CERT’s Role in the Community
The Charlotte CERT program has a role for everyone. Members use a combination of CERT training and community knowledge to serve their neighbors in a time of disaster.
Charlotte County has over 400 CERT members that serve the community during a disaster as shelter workers, call center operators, and as a support role during wildfires. CERT members also participate in public outreach events, support Fire & EMS by providing first aid at large events and provide lifesaving training throughout the community.
Become a CERT Member
The three-day Basic Training is scheduled on a quarterly basis. Training is at no cost and open to the public. Anyone under 18 needs to fill out a parent consent form to attend training. For more information about the program, email CharlotteCountyCERT@gmail.com.
Get Involved
Charlotte County CERT offers supplemental training and opportunities to volunteer. Email CharlotteCountyCERT@gmail.com for more information.