Join Richmond's Community Emergency Response Team

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a nationally recognized volunteer program that is implemented through local emergency management offices.  Following a major disaster, first responders may not be able to meet the demand for services due to a variety of factors, so local CERT teams seek to fill that gap within the community.  The program trains CERT members in basic disaster response and allows them to recognize hazards and issues that may arise following an emergency or disaster in their community.   Having a community that is trained to support basic needs to fill the gaps in government response is critical. 

The City of Richmond Office of Emergency Management maintains a robust CERT program which has many active members that assist during non-emergency events.  By having a better prepared community the City becomes more resilient and able to recover and sustain more efficiently during an emergency situation that impacts a large amount of people.  In the aftermath of a disaster when people feel compelled to help their community and neighbors, the skills that the CERT program teaches become invaluable.  During non-emergency times, CERT members become advocates for emergency preparedness in the community by promoting the program and engaging individuals in the importance of being prepared at home and work.

  

CERT training is being offered twice in 2014, in April and August.  The program consists of 20.5 hours of training broken down into three Saturdays.  Dates are schedules for April 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th and August 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th for more information on CERT visit www.richmondgov.com/fire/EM_Cert.aspx.   Use this form to register for the upcoming CERT program:  www.richmondgov.com/fire/documents/CERTRegistrationForm.pdf

The City of Richmond CERT participates in CPR training.  This additional training is offered to CERT members that have completed the 20.5 hour program.