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The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI). CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations and light search and rescue operations.

Carter County Community Emergency Response Teams (CC CERT) is a group of dedicated volunteers who help to prepare their neighbors and communities for different types of disasters. CC CERT falls under Carter County Emergency Management, the County’s coordinating agency for organizations and agencies involved in emergency planning, education, and information dissemination. Emergency services personnel are the best equipped to respond to disasters. CC CERT volunteers are trained to support the efforts of Carter County’s first responders.

During non-emergency times, CC CERTs educate their communities about emergency preparedness by working with Carter County Emergency Management supplying information and preparedness materials on the hazards that could affect the county.

How is CC CERT different from the national FEMA CERT program?

In partnership with Carter County Fire Departments and Law Enforcement Offices, Carter County Emergency Management has taken the national program and adapted it to reflect the unique circumstances of living and working in Carter County. CC CERT members are trained to support these county agencies rather than respond themselves. CC CERT is like every other agency in the County and does not self-deploy. Carter County Emergency Management deploys teams to emergencies and planned events upon request.

The CC CERT program recognizes individuals that:

• Have gone through the Carter County Emergency Management basic training program;
• Apply for membership in the CC CERT Program and successfully pass required background checks;
• Accept and follow the CC CERT Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Conduct; and
• Are credentialed to participate in training and deployments through Carter County Emergency Management.