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What is CERT?

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the 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. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.

At the same time, the CERT program was designed as a grassroots initiative and specifically structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a national program.

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training. FEMA supports CERT by conducting or sponsoring Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager courses for members of the fire, medical and emergency management community. To learn more about CERT and its history,

Donate to Florida CERT Association The Florida CERT Association (FCA) is a 501(c)3 (not-for-profit) organization established in 2001, whose primary goal is the support of statewide training and education in disaster planning/emergency preparedness for citizens and established CERT teams.
The Association relies solely upon membership dues, conference sponsors and donations for its operating expenses. Your support allows FCA to offer the best training available for Florida CERT Members.
Donations can be made to FCA by contacting Kathy Sellen, Treasurer via email. Click Below:
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Our Mission

To support education and development of volunteers through innovative solutions utilizing statewide intellectual currency from life-long learning to encourage community level capacity building for the local, state, and Federal levels of our nation.

What is FCA?

The Florida CERT Association (FCA) is a 501(c)3 (not-for-profit) organization established in 2001 with the primary goal of supporting the statewide training and education in disaster planning/emergency preparedness for citizens and established CERT teams.

The Association, in concert with local, state and federal agencies, serves as a mentoring and resource asset for local CERT teams and programs.
From Fire Chiefs to Fire Marshals, all board members are volunteers from the fire service and emergency management arenas who donate their time to assist in the organization and the education of CERT programs within the State of Florida.
The Association relies solely upon membership dues, conference sponsors and donations for its operating expenses.
A component of resources provided is an annual statewide conference where CERT teams are able to learn from subject matter experts on a variety of topics designed to enhance individual and team performance. Team members also have the opportunity to drill and network with like motivated CERT graduates from all around the state of Florida.
The Association has more than 175 active members and represents more than 8,000 CERT members statewide.
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