COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)

Interested in Helping Your Community? Become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team, CERT.  Click here for CERT By-Laws.
  

What is the purpose of CERT?

The Colonial Heights CERT will serve three main purposes.  First, it will help residents make their communities safer from emergencies and disasters by getting them involved in preparedness efforts.  Second, CERT training will teach interested citizens how to provide help for your family and neighbors in emergency situations – whether caused by terrorism, technological disasters or severe weather.  Third, CERT will augment existing City resources in response and recovery efforts should an emergency arise. 

What training is involved in the program?

CERT members will be trained and maintained as part of a neighborhood or workplace response team.  Members will receive training in the basic skills needed immediately following a major disaster, when emergency services may not be available and when residents may have to rely on each other for life-saving and life-sustaining needs.  CERT training will include disaster preparedness and response, basic fire safety, first aid, search and rescue techniques, and terrorism preparedness. 

Who do I contact for more information on CERT?

Interested individuals may contact Deputy Fire Chief Ed Snyder by telephone at 804-520-9361 or by e-mail at snydere@colonial-heights.com.