Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
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.
Several ACS members are certified CERT members and ACS supports CERT by assisting in their training program. ACS encourages CERT members to become licensed Amateur Radio Operators to improve their CERT communications capabilities and once licensed, to become ACS members to help provide Emergency Communications for Sarasota County during county-wide emergency situations.
CERT Communications Course
Working with Sarasota County Emergency Management, ACS developed a CERT Communications Module which is now taught as part of the regular CERT training course. We can provide the training materials for others wishing to use it in their own CERT training classes.
Upcoming Sarasota County CERT Class
Sarasota County Emergency Management and the Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI) are conducting their second CERT Basic Course. Please find the agenda and application links below. Classes will be held at the SCTI Fire Science Academy on Circus Boulevard east of Beneva Road in the World Trade classroom. Individuals or neighborhood teams are welcomed.Pre-registration is required. Cost for the course including your backpack, vest, hard hat, and numerous supplies is $50.00. If you are paying by credit card, you may fax back the application/registration form. Checks should be payable to SCTI and mailed to the SCTI CERT Program, Attn: Karen Johnson, 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233. In all cases, you may register in person in Building 1, on the SCTI campus (Beneva and Proctor roads).
If you have questions, please feel free to call Karen Johnson, Sarasota County Technical Institute, 941-924-1365, extension 62473, email karen_johnson@sarasota.k12.fl.us, or Anne Miller, Sarasota County Emergency Management, 941-861-5930, email ammiller@scgov.net, for more information.
Application Form
Class Agenda
