CERT Mission
“To do the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people”
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates citizens regarding
disaster preparedness relative to hazards that could impact our area, and provides basic disaster
response skills training. These skills include fire safety, light search and rescue, team
organization, and disaster medical operations. Once trained, CERT members can assist others
in their neighborhoods, workplace or in other communities following incidents 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 your community. CERT is one of five organizations that operate under the Citizens
Corps, the nationwide grass roots movement that encourages all Americans to help make their
communities – and the nation – safer, stronger, and better prepared for all types of hazards and
threats through active volunteerism.
Why should I take CERT training?
Your community’s professional responders are well trained and prepared to handle everyday
emergencies. However, large-scale emergencies or disasters could easily overwhelm our
response capabilities, resulting in possible delays. The primary reason for CERT training is to
give people the decision-making, organizational, and practical skills to help them provide
immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates until the professional
responders can arrive. While many people will respond to those in need without the proper
training, the goal of the CERT program is to train and organize our volunteers thoroughly. With
this knowledge, they can assist effectively and efficiently – without placing themselves in
unnecessary danger.
How will the CERT program benefit me and my community?
CERT-trained citizens have a better understanding of potential threats to their homes, workplace
and community and can take the proper steps to lessen the vulnerability of these hazards. When
a disaster happens that overwhelms local response capabilities, CERT
Members can apply their training to give critical support to their families, neighbors or associates
in the immediate area until help arrives. When help does arrive, CERT members provide useful
information to responders and support their efforts, as directed at the disaster site. For example,
one CERT success story comes from events during a recent winter storm that took place in Scottsville
Local CERT members, along with members who traveled in from all parts of the town and other areas and surrounding area to assisted with storm clean up of Van Clief Nature area, Assisted with Warming Centers in the Town of Scottsville and provided Incident Support to local governement. This is a great example of CERT members and emergency response personnel working together for the benefit of the community.
CERT members can also volunteer to assist with non-emergency projects that benefit the
community. CERT members have distributed disaster education materials, and provided
services at civic events, such as festivals, parades, sporting events, and more.
What kind of training is required to become a CERT volunteer?
To become a CERT member, you need to complete the “core” CERT training program. Our
training program will consist of approximately 30 hours. All sessions will be taught by trained
emergency responders or trained instructors. During these sessions, you will learn basic
emergency response techniques, including emergency medical/first aid, fire safety, search and
rescue techniques, response to emergency incidents and more.
Advance training will include:
Who can take CERT training?
Naturals for the training program are participants of neighborhood watch programs, community
organizations, communities of faith, school staff, workplace employees, scouting organization
leaders and other group participants that come together regularly for a common purpose.
Regardless of your background, you are welcome to participate if you are willing to “get involved”
in your community.
I have physical limitations. Can I still participate as a CERT volunteer?
Absolutely! There are many tasks within a CERT program for citizens who want to be involved
and help. Following a disaster, CERT members are needed for documentation, comforting
others, logistics, etc. Non-disaster related team activities might include keeping databases,
helping with social media and website, planning activities, logistics, helping with special events and organizing exercises and activities.
Are there costs involved?
There is no charge to register and attend the classes.
Who should I contact for more information on the CERT program?
The CERT program coordinator is Captain Jack Maxwell who can be reach at (434) 996-8073 or email jack@svilletf17.com
I’m interested. What do I do next?
Just complete the attached application for Volunteer Participation form along with the Volunteer
Agreement form and the Disclosure and Authorization for Background Investigation form and
return them to the address listed.