Flagler County residents who want to be better prepared for emergencies now have a free opportunity to get trained. The Community Emergency Response Team — known as CERT — is offering its nationally certified training program beginning May 5, 2026, at no cost to participants.
The 30-hour course will meet three mornings a week, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Emergency Operations Center, running through May 21. A final full-day session on Friday, May 22 will include a course review, final exam, disaster simulation, and a graduation ceremony.
The program covers skills specifically chosen for the types of emergencies most likely to affect Flagler County. Topics include disaster preparedness, team organization, disaster first aid, disaster psychology, fire safety and utility controls, light search and rescue, and terrorism awareness.
Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said the program is built around community involvement. “The program is an invaluable partnership between the community and professional first responders,” Lord said. “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.”
Lord also explained why training everyday residents matters beyond just individual preparedness. “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,” he said. “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.”
The program is made possible through a partnership between Flagler County Emergency Management and the nonprofit Flagler Volunteer Services. All digital participant manuals and course materials are provided at no charge. Graduates receive a free T-shirt and an official CERT identification card.
Registration is required, and participants must attend all sessions in order to receive certification. To sign up, visit www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and select “Community Training” from the menu. Residents without internet access can call 386-313-4200 for assistance. Questions can be directed to EOC@FlaglerCounty.gov.
