By-Line: Julie Murphy, Flagler County Government
Learn basic disaster and emergency response skills for the things likely to impact Flagler County. This includes fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations – all taught through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) nationally-certified training program, which begins on June 10. It’s free.
“The program is an invaluable partnership between the community and professional first responders,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “CERT provides a consistent, nationwide approach to disaster volunteer training and organization. Previous experience is not necessary – just a desire to learn and help others.”
Registration – which is required for this 30-hour course that meets from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the Emergency Operations Center through June 26 – can be accessed by going to www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and then selecting “Training” from the menu. The course concludes on June 26 with a disaster simulation and graduation, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided.
Flagler County’s CERT program is made possible through a partnership between Emergency Management and the nonprofit Flagler Volunteer Services.
“It is a way to improve countywide preparedness by providing members of our community with additional knowledge and tools to get ready for and respond to emergencies and disasters,” Lord said. “When our residents are trained in these basic disaster skills, it allows neighbors to help each other while our first responders are focusing on the most critical needs in a disaster.”
The Summer 2025 CERT program will educate residents about topics such as: Disaster Preparedness; Team Organization; Basic First Aid; Disaster Psychology; Fire Safety and Utility Controls; Light Search and Rescue; and even Terrorism. The crowning events are Disaster Simulation and Graduation on the last day of the program.
Registration is required, and attendance at all sessions is necessary to receive certification. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a T-shirt and disaster kit.
For more information about this Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, go to www.flaglercounty.gov/emergency and select “Training” from the menu, or for those without Internet access, call 386-313-4200 for assistance. Questions should be directed to EOC@FlaglerCounty.gov.
