The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a FEMA-backed program that trains volunteers in disaster preparedness and basic response skills. CERT members support first responders during emergencies by providing immediate assistance to survivors, organizing volunteers, and helping with disaster response.
Citizen Corps is a program that focuses on empowering individuals to become more prepared and involved in their communities to respond to various threats, including terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters. It works by providing training, education, and volunteer opportunities to make communities safer and more resilient.
Below is a list of current CERT and Citizen Corps programs in Florida. Please contact the organization directly to learn more about current service opportunities.
| Organization Name | Type | Program Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Charlotte County Emergency Management | CERT | Charlotte County CERT 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. |
 | Citrus County Sheriff's Office | CERT | Citrus County CERT volunteers support our community by organizing, promoting, participating in emergency preparedness, community events, and assisting the Sheriff’s Emergency Management Division. Before, during and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities, including checking on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operations centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up career responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks. |
 | City of Gulfport Florida CERT | CERT | The Gulfport CERT Program educates residents on disaster preparedness for hazards that may affect their area. Volunteers receive training in basic disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT members are also certified in CPR/AED and basic first aid. They apply their training to assist others in their neighborhoods or workplaces when professional responders are not immediately available and are encouraged to take an active role in local emergency preparedness efforts. |
 | City of Miami Beach, Division of Emergency Management | CERT | Miami Beach CERT targets a wide audience, including residents, employees, and various organizations. Their Advanced CERT training covers topics like disaster preparedness, public speaking, and health issues, with special training for advanced members before events like Superbowl LIV. The CERT members, skilled in disaster response, also actively participate in "blue sky" events, providing assistance during Spring Break and supporting Fire/Rescue efforts. They engage in community outreach, staffing information tables, and participating in emergency exercises. |
 | City of Pompano Beach Office of Emergency Management | CERT | The Pompano Beach Fire Rescue Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer program that equips residents with the skills and confidence to assist before, during, and after emergencies. CERT members strengthen community resilience by supporting storm preparedness, special events, public education, missing person searches, and post-disaster recovery. The program fosters readiness, service, and partnership, making CERT an essential resource for the City of Pompano Beach. |
 | City of Tampa - Tampa Fire Rescue | CERT | The Tampa Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program that trains residents of the City of Tampa to be prepared for and respond to emergencies that may arise in their community. Supported by Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa’s Office of Emergency Management, the Tampa CERT Program expands the community’s preparedness and response capabilities through public outreach, special event support, and amateur radio communication. |
 | Escambia County Emergency Management | Citizen Corps | Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE), designated by Escambia County Emergency Management, oversees the Escambia CERT volunteer program. The CERT program engages residents, schools, churches, and organizations in preparedness through education, planning, and resource support. Members assist with outreach, cooling stations, traffic, events, and food distribution. After disasters, CERT volunteers aid first responders working in reception centers, distribution sites, donation management, and recovery efforts, serving as a vital force multiplier for the county. |
 | Franklin County Community Emergency Response Team | CERT | The Franklin County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a vital local initiative aimed at preparing residents for effective emergency response. Franklin County CERT actively engages with our community by participating in numerous outreach events, offering services to non-profit organizations, and primarily supporting the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during both blue skies and gray skies. |
 | Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Office of Emergency Management | CERT | Hillsborough County CERT strengthens community resilience by providing lifesaving training, first aid support at public events, and fostering preparedness when professional help may be delayed. Members play vital roles in shelter operations, call centers, emergency responder support, Points of Distribution, Comfort Stations, sandbagging, and damage assessments to aid recovery efforts. |
 | Hope DeSoto Long Term Recovery Group | CERT | The Hope Desoto CERT Program is a newly launched CERT program aimed at strengthening community preparedness across Desoto County. In its first year, the program plans to train at least 120 volunteers through Basic CERT Training (G-317), equipping them with essential skills to support their neighborhood emergency response and resilience. Beyond training, volunteers will play a key role in advancing public outreach and fostering strong community relations, making CERT a visible and impactful presence throughout the county. |
 | Jefferson County Adult and Teen CERT | CERT | The Jefferson County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer program sponsored by Jefferson County Emergency Management that prepares residents for emergencies and disasters. Its mission is to empower individuals to care for themselves, their families, and their neighbors until professional responders arrive. CERT members also assist local emergency services during major incidents, public safety events, and community outreach. Through education, preparedness, and teamwork, Jefferson County CERT builds a stronger, more resilient community ready to respond when disaster strikes. |
 | Marion County Sheriff's Office, Division of Emergency Management | CERT | Marion County CERT is an all-hazards volunteer program that prepares residents and neighborhoods for emergencies. CERT members strengthen community resilience by delivering public safety education, health fairs, event support, and provide hands-only CPR and “Stop the Bleed” training. As a vital part of the county’s emergency management strategy, CERT teams support first responders during disasters by providing critical assistance and extending emergency services throughout the community. |
 | Santa Rosa County Emergency Management CERT | CERT | Santa Rosa County CERT in partnership with Emergency Management, strengthens community resilience through public education, training, and volunteer programs that engage residents in preparedness and support for first responders. They assist year-round with volunteer recruitment, traffic, crowd control, cooling stations, and public safety outreach events. CERT teams support disaster response through performing damage assessments, shelter operations, pet-friendly shelter staff support, wildfire rehab, and points of distribution. |
 | Santa Rosa County Citizen Corps | Citizen Corps | Santa Rosa Citizen Corps operates under the Santa Rosa County Division of Emergency Management, engaging residents in homeland security and community safety. Its mission is to promote volunteerism through programs such as Neighborhood Watch, CERT, Medical Reserve Corps, and Amateur Radio, while fostering inter-agency cooperation. As a key interface for emergency management, SRC CC facilitates the planning and deployment of volunteer groups tailored to community needs. |
 | University of Central Florida's Health Sciences Campus | CERT | The UCF Health Science Campus CERT, newly developed with campus security and emergency management, enhances risk mitigation and community preparedness. CERT will provide free training to all UCF Health Science Campus students, faculty, and staff. Advanced training is set on the use of response equipment located throughout HSC buildings and on exercising Building Emergency Action Plans (BEAPs). Once trained, CERT members will be deployed to assist during emergencies. Missions will also include safety and security objectives proposed by UCF and its partners. |