Niagara's Community Emergency Response Team

Get involved

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:

Immediate first aid and rescue around their homes post-disaster
Helping with disaster relief efforts
Distribution of emergency supplies
Sandbagging operations
Debris management
Disaster scene support
Assisting with annual emergency exercises
Other emergency duties as needed

Join the Community Emergency Response Team

2023 applications are closed.

Thank you to all who applied.

Contact

For more information, email the Community Emergency Response Team.

2023 Recruitment

In 2023, we plan to recruit 100 new volunteers. Recruitment will be completed in two groups of 50 people. When you submit your application, indicate if you're applying for the spring or fall session.

Training is Thursdays from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Dinner is provided.

Spring training dates

April 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18, 25
June 1

Fall training dates

Sept. 14, 21, 28
Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26
Nov. 2

Eligibility

To apply, you:

Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application
Live, work or study in Niagara
Can commit to two years of volunteering
Can stand and walk for long periods of time
Can lift 25 lbs. to chest height comfortably
Can pass a police vulnerable sector screening
Have access to reliable transportation
Have access to a computer and Internet for online training

Training program and responsibilities

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:

Introduction and personnel preparedness
Emergency response basics, operations and local hazards
Fire safety and suppression
Disaster injury review
Severe weather and local hazard awareness
Light urban search and rescue
Psychological aid
Exercise and graduation

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.