Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Community Emergency Response Team

The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the school staff, workplace employees, scouting organization and other groups that come together regularly for a common purpose. CERT skills are useful in disaster and everyday life events.

The Advocacy Team provides public speaking services and represents the CERT programs at community forums. Also, this team follows up with the new and interested members to ensure their completion of the CERT training classes, advanced training, and Incident Command System classes.

The Rapid Response Group is comprised of the Support Team and the Field Team. The Support Team assists in the EOC during activation, coordinates and manages the 979-INFO line, and documents volunteer participation and hours worked. The Field Team assists with neighborhood assessments, search and rescue missions, debris removal, traffic control, shelter maintenance, support for disabled and functional need communities, and other tasks as determined during the incident.

Beyond Basic training, CERT members can participate in advance training sessions to maintain and build additional skills. Advanced training includes refresher classes for the topics covered in basic training as well as new and advanced practical skills training. These classes are offered by the CERT program and by other community agencies covering topics such as animal care, special needs concerns, donation management, community relations, shelter management, debris removal, utilities control, and advanced first aid.

The CERT program is a volunteer program run through the Charlottesville-UVA Albemarle Office of Emergency Management. CERT trains community members on realistic approaches to managing emergency situations.