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 | County | Program Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bay County Emergency Management | CERT | Bay | The Bay County, Florida Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an essential local initiative designed to equip residents for efficient emergency response. Established to augment the capabilities of Bay County's emergency services, the program offers comprehensive training in disaster preparedness, fire safety, search and rescue, medical triage, and disaster psychology. Participants in the Bay County CERT program acquire the skills and knowledge to act swiftly and effectively during disasters, ensuring their own safety and that of their neighbors. The training sessions are hands-on and interactive, often simulating real-life scenarios to offer practical experience. Graduates of the program gain confidence in their emergency handling abilities and become valuable assets to their community, frequently assuming leadership roles during crises. Furthermore, CERT volunteers play a critical role in educating the public about disaster preparedness by conducting workshops and distributing informational materials to raise awareness about safety measures. Their dedication and proactive approach have substantially contributed to enhancing the resilience of Bay County. |
 | City of Miami Beach CERT | CERT | Miami-Dade | 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. The City of Miami Beach has fostered a strong relationship with CERT, receiving commendations and grants, contributing to enhanced training, equipment acquisition, and outreach efforts. The awarded funds will be used to procure essential first aid equipment and supplies, further strengthening the city's preparedness and response capabilities. |
 | City of Orlando Fire Department | CERT | Orange | The City of Orlando Fire Department's CERT program offers essential training sessions and hands-on exercises designed to equip community members with the skills and knowledge needed for effective emergency response. Each session is led by a qualified instructor from various City of Orlando’s departments, as well as other public, private, and nonprofit entities in Orlando, who will guide participants through practical scenarios to demonstrate the application of various emergency response tactics in real-world situations. The program includes a range of exercises conducted at Orlando's Emergency Management facility and nearby public properties, providing a valuable opportunity for participants to witness firsthand how different strategies are implemented in diverse situations. This comprehensive training ensures that community members are fully prepared to respond to emergencies, enhancing public safety and resilience in the event of a disaster. |
 | City of Pensacola Fire Department | CERT | Escambia | Pensacola Fire Department plans to utilize Fire Corps members in a coordinated capacity to directly support training initiatives developed by the City of Pensacola’s Fire Department to provide hydration and rehabilitation services (cooling, warming, feeding, and monitoring) for their personnel. These iterations will serve as direct support in training in addition to direct support training Fire Corps volunteers for future emergency situations. The intent of the Fire Corps’ Fire Rehab mission is to provide for the immediate protection and welfare of first responders in mitigating the dangers of heat injury and sustainment of human resources and technical skill investment each individual responder represents. |
 | City of Tampa - Tampa Rescue | CERT | Hillsborough | The Tampa CERT Program is a new CERT Team looking to enhance and expand the preparedness and response capabilities of the Tampa Office of Emergency Management, intending to train a minimum of 70 volunteers in its first year in shelter management, stop the bleed, and canteen operations, working in unison with community first responders and local utilities to create a comprehensive and effective response. Volunteers will be utilized to advance public outreach efforts and community relations as well. |
 | Escambia County Emergency Management | Citizen Corps | Escambia | BRACE (Be Ready Alliance for Coordinating Emergencies), designated the Citizen Corps Coordinator by Escambia County Emergency Management, coordinates the Citizen Corps Council by engaging local businesses, churches, organizations, and agencies to get involved in disaster preparedness and emergency response-related activities. These activities include participating in training opportunities, developing community readiness plans, assessing possible threats, and identifying local resources. |
 | Jefferson County Adult and Teen CERT | CERT | Jefferson | Jefferson County CERT is a core group of individuals who regularly meet and train to better assist in activities that help members of their community who may not have the means or funds to help themselves. They support the Jefferson County Fire Rescue with fire fighter rehabilitation, support a local group building ramps for individuals to safely exit their homes, collect food for animals and assist with monthly food distribution to families struggling with COVID. |
 | Orange County Emergency Management | CERT | Orange | The Orange County CERT Program began in 1999 with the first CERT Team located at Hunter's Creek. This team is still active and conducts monthly meetings plus advanced and refresher classes. There are total of six active CERT Teams in Orange County, with at least three neighborhoods to be trained within the next year. |
 | Osceola County Office of Emergency | CERT | Osceola | The Osceola County CERT program is administered by the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The focus is to train the public in basic disaster response skills should public safety resources not be readily available. This is accomplished by offering quarterly at no cost training at the Osceola County Emergency Operations Center. Communities, businesses, non-profits, and other community organizations can offer to host CERT training at their location if they pledge a minimum of 15 students. Students that successfully complete training are not required to volunteer but are encouraged to join the program by completing the volunteer application process. Osceola County CERT offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities from assisting during blue skies to being actively engaged in assisting OEM with incident response and recovery. To find out more about upcoming training or volunteering email volunteer@osceola.org or call 407-742-9015. |
 | Santa Rosa County Citizen Corps Program | Citizen Corps | Santa Rosa | Santa Rosa Citizens Corps Teams are engaged in massive efforts to support mobile feeding stations and COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites. Volunteers are specifically trained and requested to support response in various ways, such as performing damage assessments, wildfire responder rehabilitation support, hurricane shelter or pet-friendly shelter staff support, and serve as post-disaster Points of Distribution workers. Santa Rosa County collaborates with Escambia County BRACE through MRC and our COADs. CERT Teams also participate in pre-planned community events year-round, to include recruitment, traffic and crowd control, and distribution of water. |
 | Town of Davie Fire Rescue Department | CERT | Broward | The Town of Davie CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program is a vital initiative that empowers residents with the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies and disasters in their community. Through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on exercises, CERT members are trained in essential disaster response areas such as Fire Safety, Light Search and Rescue, Team Organization and Basic Disaster Medical Operations. In the event of a disaster when public safety personnel may be delayed, CERT members are trained to step in and assist their neighbors and communities. They also play a role in emergency preparedness initiatives, helping to strengthen community resilience. Moreover, CERT members can be deployed to assist other municipalities within Broward County, expanding the impact of their training and ensuring a more coordinated and effective response to large-scale incidents. By joining the CERT program, individuals not only gain critical skills to help save lives and protect property in emergencies but also contribute to building a stronger, more prepared community. |
 | Walton County Emergency Management | CERT | Walton | The Walton County CERT Team utilizes county facilities for training purposes and public safety entities to assist in training new and existing CERT members to assist in the Citizen Information Center in the EOC, answering requests for information from the public. They also assist with Rapid Impact Assessment post disaster and provide staffing at fairs, parades, etc. for incident management. CERT volunteers have been staffing the COVID call center, as well testing and vaccination sites. In times of disaster, CERT volunteers assist with damage assessment, EOC support, and other duties, as well as deploying in times of need to assist other counties. |