Supporting Disaster Preparedness and Response in Charlotte County
The Charlotte County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program teaches residents how to prepare for and respond to emergencies that may affect our community. Volunteers learn practical skills that help them support their neighbors and workplaces when professional responders may be delayed. CERT memebers also play an active role in community preparedness by assisting with training, outreach, and local emergency response activities.
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CERT's Role in the Community
The Charlotte CERT program has a role for everyone. Memebers us a combination of CERT training and community knowledge to serve in their neighborhoods in a time of disaster. Allowing personal preparedness and community preparedness to be executed concerrently.
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.
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Englewood Beach Waterfest
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And More!
CERT Basic Training
The Charlotte County CERT Basic Training Course is offered quarterly, is open to the public, and is completely free to attend. This hands-on program teaches community members how to prepare for emergencies, assist neighbors safely, and support local responders during a disaster.
Disaster Preparedness
Participants learn how to prepare for the types of emergencies most likely to affect Charlotte County. The training emphasizes personal readiness, family planning, community level preparedness and mitigation strategies that help reduce or even prevent the impact of disaster.
Fire Safety and Suppression
Participants learn to identify the different classes of fire and determine whether a fire can be safely extinguished using the tools and conditions available. With the focus emphasizing making informed, safe decisions before attempting to act.
Basic Medical Treatment and Triage
Participants learn basic first aid skills and life saving techniques that can help stabilize injured individuals until Fire & EMS arrive. Volunteers learn how triage is conducted during large scale incidents and how to establish organized medical treatment areas to manage multiple patients safely and effectively.
Light Search and Rescue
This section teaches participants how to conduct safe and effective searches using techniques such as grid searches and right/left hand patterns. Methods for safely moving and transporting injured individuals to designated medical areas are reviewed, minimizing further injury.
CERT Organization
CERT volunteers are trained to support local emergency services within an organized structure that mirrors the incident Command System used by Public Safety personnel. Ensuring that teams are coordinated, safe, and effective whether they are assisting with search and rescue, disaster medical support, or community outreach events.
All experience levels are welcome. Individuals under 18 may attend with a completed parent or guardian consent form.
Participation in CERT Basic Training does not require anyone to become a volunteer. The training is designed for individuals' interest in personal preparedness or for those who want to feel more confident during an emergency.
Becoming a Member
Ready to make a difference? Just follow the steps below to get started.
- Attend and complete all 3 days of Charlotte County's CERT Basic Training
- Fill out and Submit the Volunteer Application Background Check Form
- Await Application Approval
- Sign the Code of Conduct Agreement
Approved volunteers must read, agree to, and sign the Charlotte County CERT Code of Conduct form. Once this process has been completed you will begin receiving volunteer opportunities through your email.