Each year, many North Carolina communities suffer extensive damage from severe weather such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, winter storms, drought, extreme heat, wildfires, and "man-made" disasters such as hazardous materials spills.  The damage caused by such disasters can be localized, impacting neighborhoods or communities; or it can be regional, affecting the entire state, or portions of the state.  In any case, debris-clogged or damaged roads, hazardous materials plumes, flooding and other impacts can severely curtail the ability of local first responders to arrive "on-scene".  When neighborhoods and individuals are cut off from outside emergency support, it is up to individual citizens to help each other until help can arrive.

The purpose of CERT training is to provide citizens with the basic skills required to handle virtually all of their personal needs, and then be able to respond to their communities' needs until professional emergency services can respond.  New Hanover County CERT members will receive 20 hours of skills training at an accredited community college (Cape Fear Community College), and receive a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certificate indicating they are CERT-qualified.

 If you, your neighborhood, business or organization want(s) to establish or sponsor a Community Emergency Response Team, and learn basic skills to prepare for and respond to a disaster, please call 798-6900. To read more about the federal CERT program, click here.

New Hanover County's CERT brochure can be viewed by double clicking on the link below.

CERT Brochure

Registration Form

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