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Join our Community Emergency Response Team and help your community in a time of disaster or crisis
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of trained, certified volunteers who help their community in a time of disaster or crisis. Having an emergency response team in place helps increase Niagara's safety and resiliency.
The team is trained to provide a personnel surge in the aftermath of a variety of disasters. Common ways members can provide support during or after an emergency include:
Applications are closed for 2022.
For more information, email the Community Emergency Response Team.
To apply, you:
Accepted applicants must follow Niagara Region's COVID-19 vaccination policy. This includes providing proof of vaccination, a medical exemption (verified by Niagara Region), or a creed exemption (verified by Niagara Region) before starting the position.
All volunteers must attend an eight-session (one evening per week) onboarding and orientation training program with additional training online. Dinner is provided at each training session. Attendance at all of the sessions is mandatory and each session will be 2.5 to 3 hours. Orientation includes:
After training, all members must attend a fall and spring session each year to review and practise their skills and learn about new topics.
There are no additional obligations aside from training. However, we expect members to respond when able should a large disaster or emergency occur.
Team members will also be invited to participate in various emergency exercises and events throughout the year. Attendance at these is optional.