Margate Fire Rescue Community Emergency Response Team

CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Margate, Florida is an all volunteer program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT training covers disaster preparedness, search and rescue, fire safety, and Disaster Medical Operations (including triage, hygiene, and basic first aid). Personnel will learn the proper use of a fire extinguisher, disaster psychology, damage assessment and anti-terrorism. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community as well as acting as ambassadors of the city.