Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Ordinary Citizens Trained To Be Extraordinary Volunteers

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for 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. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can 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.

CERT Teams Respond to Hurricane Sandy

Chesapeake CERT assisted the Office of Emergency Management and the Chesapeake Fire Department by notifying over 1,200 homes in flood prone areas of the potential for flooding during hurricane Sandy. The team deployed 22 members who went door-to-door delivering informational flyers about flooding and damages.  Following the storm, 19 members worked with Development & Permit Inspectors and completed Damage Assessment throughout the city. The team donated 199 hours of service to the City of Chesapeake. If you would like to assist the city when disaster strikes, please join a CERT team!