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Community Emergency Response Team

A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is an organized group that receives special training, which enhances their ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate against a major emergency or disaster situation. CERT is organized under the Butler County Emergency Management Agency with operational support provided by local fire and police departments and community organizations (churches, scouting organizations, neighborhood associations and etc.).

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for services. When a major emergency overwhelms normally available resources, response delays of hours or even days may occur; someone with "basic skills training" should be able to immediately assist those in distress. CERT recognizes that a well-prepared community is a vital resource. Factors such as number of victims, communications failures, and blocked roads will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs. One also expects that under these kind of conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other.

Organizations can schedule a course by calling the Butler County Emergency Management Agency. Courses are scheduled for one night per week for seven weeks at a location that is agreed upon by the requesting organization and the Butler County Emergency Management Agency. Citizens will be trained by Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, fire personnel and police personnel to learn disaster preparedness, fire suppression, first aid, medical operations, light search and rescue, psychology and team organization.

We are committed to making this program widespread throughout Butler County and look forward to providing this training to your group or organization. If you would like to schedule a CERT program for your group, please contact the Butler County Emergency Management Agency at 513-785-5810.

For more information:

Butler County CERT Information

Ohio Responds Volunteer Registry