Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Georgia CERT's



Name of Program: DeKalb County CERT
Geographic Area: DeKalb County
Point of Contact: Beth Burgess
Phone Number: (404) 297-3893
E-mail address: ceburges@co.dekalb.ga.us
Brief Description: Our CERT program is eight weeks long and meets every Tuesday night 7:00-9:30 PM. The students will participate in a disaster drill at the end of the course. We are committed to training our citizens in what to do before, during, and after a disaster.


Name of Program: Lumpkin County CERT
Geographic Area: Dahlonega and all of Lumpkin County
Point of Contact: Hugh Reece
Phone Number: (770) 847-7253
E-mail address: hughreece@bellsouth.net
Brief Description: We recently graduated 17 CERT volunteers. We will be continuing our recruiting efforts in order to hold another class as early as December 2006 and no later than January 2007. We are excited about our communities enthusiasm for becoming self sufficient in an emergency or disaster situation.


Name of Program: Barrow County CERT
Geographic Area: Barrow County
Point of Contact: Andrew Dykes
Title: CERT Program Coordinator
Phone Number: (770) 307-2987
E-mail address: adykes@bcfes.com
Website address: http://www.bcfes.com
Brief Description: The Barrow County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates local citizens about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their community. The 8 week program trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. 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 are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. The inaugural CERT Program offered by Barrow County Fire and Emergency Services concluded in June 2006 with 6 graduates. The goal of the program is to offer 2-3 classes a year to better educate and prepare the citizens of Barrow County for an emergency.


Name of Program: Athens-Clarke County CERT
Geographic Area: Athens-Clarke County, Athens
Point of Contact: Ryan Logan
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (706) 613-3410
E-mail address: ryanlogan@redcrosseastgeorgia.org
Website address: http://eastgeorgia.redcross.org/CERT/
Brief Description: The ACC CERT Program is a collaborative effort between the Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services and the East Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross. The ACC Fire and Emergency Services serves as the jurisdictional authority by securing and monitoring the grant funding from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. The East Georgia Chapter coordinates the program on behalf of both agencies. Athens-Clarke County's inaugural CERT training began on February 8, 2005 with a class of twenty-five participants. The goal of the Athens-Clarke County CERT Program is to train at least 100 people each year.


Name of Program: Chatham County CERT
Geographic Area: Chatham County
Point of Contact: Phillip Webber
Phone Number: (912) 201-4500
E-mail address: cema@g-net.net
Website address: http://www.ccorps.org/cert.htm
Brief Description: Chatham County Citizen's Corps will be beginning it's CERT Class. If anyone in interested in signing up for either of this courses please call 912-692-8911 of the CEMA Office at 912-201-4500.


Name of Program: City of Morrow CERT
Geographic Area: Clayton County, Morrow
Point of Contact: Mike Byrd
Phone Number: (770) 961-4008
E-mail address: mbyrd@cityofmorrow.com
Website address: http://www.cityofmorrow.com
Brief Description: We currently have 20 members on the team and have monthly training meetings. Training topics have included NIMS, search and rescue, CPR, First Aid, activations, and severl other topics. The goal of our team is to supplement the emergency responders in case varous emergencies. This function frees up emergency personnel to respond to other emergencies.


Name of Program: Cobb Community Emergency Response Team
Geographic Area: Cobb County, Marietta
Point of Contact: Lanita Lloyd
Phone Number: (770) 499-4567
E-mail address: lanita.lloyd@cobbcounty.org
Website address: http://cobbcounty.org
Brief Description: Cobb County's CERT Program trains volunteer Cobb County citizens, business employees that work within Cobb County, and the Cobb County Faith Community. The volunteers are provided introductory training in emergency preparedness. The volunteers are also taught basic procedures to take if there were a man-made or natural disaster in their neightborhood, on the job, or at their house of worship. This training will help the volunteer to be more prepared and to be more capable to help themselves, their families, their neighbors, and their co-workers in the event of an emergency situation. Additionally, these citizens can also provide assistance if public safety was overwhelmed due to the magnitude of the disaster.


Name of Program: Habesham County CERT
Geographic Area: Habersham County, Northeast Georgia
Point of Contact: Lester Miller
Phone Number: (706) 778-9500
E-mail address: rescuemiller@hotmail.com
Brief Description: Our program will empower our community participants to be able to use their training to provide assistants until more highly trained EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement personnel can get to them during times of disaster. Objectives: 1)Teach self sustainment 2)Basic triage 3)Identify and reduce fire hazard 4)Identify potential hazards 5)Select and setup treatment area 6)Identify and learn techniques for search & rescue 7)learn life saving skills


Name of Program: Lee County Citizen Corps/CERT
Geographic Area: Lee County
Point of Contact: Bobby Spencer
Phone Number: (229) 759-6090
E-mail address: bspencer@lee.ga.us
Website address: http://www.lee.ga.us
Brief Description: Have average 26 members and 4 trainers with 5 teams. Planning on beginning another classes in June.


Name of Program: County Line CERT
Geographic Area: Macon County, City of Ideal & West side of Macon Co.
Point of Contact:
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (478) 949-2095
E-mail address: na@citizencorps.gov
Brief Description: County Line Baptist Church is proud to offer CERT to the citizens of Macon County. Being on the County Line with Schley County, it also offers CERT to the citizens of Schley County.


Name of Program: Macon-Bibb County EMA Volunteer Group CERT
Geographic Area: Macon/Bibb County
Point of Contact: Johnny M. Wingers
Title: EMA Director
Phone Number: (478) 751-7214
E-mail address: johnny.wingers@macon.ga.us
Brief Description: The EMA Volunteer Group is sending members for CERT training.


Name of Program: PLAINS COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
Geographic Area: PLAINS COMMUNITY , SUMTER CO.
Point of Contact:
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (229) 924-4094
E-mail address: roberti@sumter-ga.com
Website address: http://www.sumter-ga.com
Brief Description: 12 MEMBER TEAM LIVING IN AND AROUND THE COMMUN- ITY OF PLAINS, GA. HOME OF THE 39TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.


Name of Program: Augusta Richmond County CERT Program
Geographic Area: Richmond County, Augusta City
Point of Contact: Chief Howard Willis
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (706) 821-1155
E-mail address: lmcdonald@augustaga.gov
Website address: http://augustaema.gov
Brief Description: Richmond County EMA will begin the first of several training classes for the CERT Program on April 27, 2004. Our hopes to train citizens in all areas and zip codes throught the Augusta-Richmond County are to better prepare and assist in the time of disasters, whether manmade or natural. To increase public awareness that knowing what to do and how to handle an emergency is the key to surviving when emergency agencies are at a stressed level. Our objective after this point will be to keep the interest and activity of the citizens that have invested time and gained special training in this program to keep them active and let others benfit from their knowledge and skills.


Name of Program: Americus CERT East
Geographic Area: Sumter County, Americus
Point of Contact:
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (229) 924-3213
E-mail address: p4626@yahoo.com
Brief Description: The City of Amerisus has completed training the Americus CERT (East). The team consist of (13) members serving the east side of the City of Americus. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Americus CERT. Please contact the above person's.


Name of Program: CERT
Geographic Area: Sumter County, Southland Drive Area-East Americus
Point of Contact:
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (229) 924-4094
E-mail address: na@citizencorps.gov
Website address: http://sumter-ga.com
Brief Description: 10 member team covering a two mile radius around the Southland Drive Area, Americus, Sumter Co., Georgia. Guam


Name of Program: Cherokee County CERT
Geographic Area: Cherokee County, Canton
Point of Contact: Renee Cornelison
Phone Number: (678) 493-4033
E-mail address: rcornelison@cherokeega.com
Website address: http://www.cherokeega-ema.org
Brief Description: The Cherokee County Office of Emergency Management is proud to offer the CERT Program to citizens who live in Cherokee County.Our members are taught to keep themselves and their families safe first, then we teach them how to safely help their neighbors during times of disaster when conventional resources are stretched to the limit. Our members are also a part of our Emergency Management Team. They help with storm spotting,manning phone information lines, and working in our donation centers during a disaster.


Name of Program: Coweta County Auxilliary Communications Service (CACS)
Geographic Area: Coweta County, Newnan
Point of Contact: Eddie Ball
Phone Number: (770) 254-2650
E-mail address: eball@coweta.ga.us
Brief Description: This service is made up of individuals, many of whom are amateur radio operators, who have been trained as public safety communicatins officers. Besides regular CERT Training, they must also attend 40 hours of communications training and complete an extensive OJT program at the EOC & 911 Center.


Name of Program: PEACHTREE CITY CERT PROGRAM
Geographic Area: Fayette County, Peachtree City
Point of Contact: Stan Pye
Phone Number: (770) 631-2514
E-mail address: spye@ptcgovernment.org
Website address: http://www.ptcpolice.org
Brief Description: Our CERt program has been very successful and we have over 100 members within our program. We have at least two basic cert classes each year with many on-going education and civic related activities each year.


Name of Program: Albany Dougherty County CERT Team
Geographic Area: Dougherty County
Point of Contact: Charles H Mitchell
Title: Commander
Phone Number: (229) 669-0290
E-mail address: charles.mitchell@hcahealthcare.com
Website address: http://www.albanydoughertylepc.org


Name of Program: Alpharetta Community Emergency Response Teams
Geographic Area: Fulton County, Alpharetta
Point of Contact: Lieutenant Gary Robinson
Title: n/a
Phone Number: (678) 297-6293
E-mail address: grobinson@alpharetta.ga.us
Website address: http://www.alpharettacitizencorps.org
Brief Description: Our goal is to prepare our citizens on how to handle a disaster situation. This class also develops public awareness on what to do and how to handle an emergency when our emergency agencies are stressed. For citizens that want to do more we have Fire Corps plus we have a Volunteer Firefighter Program where the Volunteers train to get their State certification and work side by side with the Career Firefighters.


Name of Program: Rome/Floyd County CERT Team
Geographic Area: Floyd County, Rome
Point of Contact: Scotty Hancock
Title: EMA Director
Phone Number: (706) 236-5002
E-mail address: hancocks@floydcountyga.org
Website address: http://www.floydcountyga.org/
Brief Description: We currently have approximately 80 members and we are growing fast. We hold a class every other month. The next class will start in Jan 2006. Our objective is to provide assistance to first responders in a large scale disaster man made or natural. We are also very actibe in our community by providing safety tips in the event of a disaster. We are a very active and enthusiastic group that cares about our comunity.


Name of Program: Hall County Emergency Management CERT
Geographic Area: Hall County, Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Lula
Point of Contact: William Wright
Phone Number: (770) 531-6838
E-mail address: wwright@hallcounty.org
Website address: http://www.hallcounty.org
Brief Description: Teach CERT classes to a cadre of volunteers in Hall County,Ga


Name of Program: Union County CERT
Geographic Area: Union
Point of Contact: Anthony Olson
Phone Number: (706) 439-6091
E-mail address: chicotheclown@yahoo.com
Brief Description: We recenty had 19 volunteers graduated the CERT program. The CERT members are provided training in emergency preparedness, for becoming self sufficient in a emergency or disaster situation.


Name of Program: Meriwether County CERT
Geographic Area: Meriwether
Point of Contact: Brin Jones
Phone Number: (706) 672-4284
E-mail address: b.jones@mcems911.net
Brief Description: Meriwether County CERT program were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. CERT's have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities' preparedness and response capability. Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures, and assist local agencies in non-emergency events.


Name of Program: Tifton-Tift County CERT
Geographic Area: Tift County
Point of Contact: Vickie Hickman
Phone Number: (229) 388-6062
E-mail address: vhickman@tiftcounty.org
Brief Description: This is a brand new program to our county. We will be training members in search and rescue, evidence recovery, basic first aid, etc. for communities within our county. We are expecting this program to grow significantly.


Name of Program: Jackson County CERT program
Geographic Area: Jackson County
Point of Contact: Dwayne Keith
Phone Number: (706) 654-2500
E-mail address: dkeith@westjacksonfd.com


Name of Program: Fairfield Plantation CERT Team
Geographic Area: Fairfield Plantation
Point of Contact: Tim Padgett
Phone Number: (770) 830-5882
E-mail address: tpadgett@carrollcountyga.com
Website address: https://www.fairfieldpoa.org
Brief Description: The Fairfield Plantation CERT Team was formed in April 2006 with a total of 26 certified members and with the assistance of our volunteer fire department and security agency. In a gated community with over 1600 homes located in Carroll County with 41 miles of road, a golf course, pools, and three lakes, our goal is to have at least 50 Cert members (5 members per section).


Name of Program: DeKalb County CERT
Geographic Area: DeKalb County
Point of Contact: Beth Burgess
Phone Number: (404) 297-3893
E-mail address: ceburges@co.dekalb.ga.us
Website address: http://www.dekalbcert.org
Brief Description: Our CERT course is 9 weeks in length and meets on Wednesday nights 7:00-9:30PM at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters. Upon completion of the course, students participate in a full scale exercise where they use the skills they have learned in class. Contact Capt. Burgess for an appliction packet


Name of Program: Heard County CERT
Geographic Area: Heard County
Point of Contact: Robert Nelms
Phone Number: (706) 675-6908
E-mail address: hccodessenf@bellsouth.net
Brief Description: 1)Our Goals is to prepare citizens to help theirselves, their families, and their community in the event of a disaster. 2)Provide training that covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. 3)Provide training and practice by working as a team, to do the greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster, while protecting yourself from becoming a victim.


Name of Program: Gilmer County CERT
Geographic Area: Gilmer County
Point of Contact: Raymond Hughes
Phone Number: (706) 635-8249
E-mail address: rhughes3@ellijay.com
Brief Description: The Gilmer County Office of Emergency Management is starting a County wide drive for personnel interested in not only helping themselves but their neighbors during a disaster, either natural or man made. We will be offering a 7 week course in CERT with a goal of training 50 people in the next 4 months. We will cover the County of Gilmer as well as the towns of Ellijay, East Ellijay and Cherry Log.


Name of Program: Atlanta Citizens Emergency Response Team (ACERT)
Geographic Area: Atlanta City limits (Fulton Co.)
Point of Contact: Bernard Coxton
Phone Number: (404) 853-7060
E-mail address: acert@atlantaga.gov
Website address: http://acertga.org
Brief Description: Providing emergency prepardness training to the citizens of Atlanta;disaster medical, fire safety,terrorism and CERT organization ect.


Name of Program: College Park CERT
Geographic Area: Metro Atlanta South Fulton near Airport
Point of Contact: Kevin Harris
Phone Number: (404) 766-8248
E-mail address: kharris@collegeparkga.com
Website address: http://www.collegeparkfire.org/
Brief Description: College Park Fire Resue's CERT training is approximately 20 hours. The class schedule and location can be modified to meet your needs. Training can be held in our fire stations, it also can be held at your location with prior approval. Our goal is to train every citizen and every person who works within College Park to be prepared for any disaster. CERT Training: Our Fire Stations are accepting applications for CERT training or you can call 404 766-8248. We look forward to seeing you at our next class.


Name of Program: White County Community Emergency Response Team
Geographic Area: White County/ Cities of Helen & Cleveland/ Sautee- Nacoochee Valley
Point of Contact: David Murphy
Phone Number: (706) 865-9500
E-mail address: dmurphy@whitecounty.net
Website address: http://www.whitecounty.net
Brief Description: The unit will be a County Assistance & Support (CAS)Team that will be coordinated to assist and provide support personnel to the White County EMA, Fire Services and Law Enforcement Units. Hopes are that we will begin helping with wilderness operations in the near future, as a large part of the county is a Wildlife Managemnet Area of the State and Federal Government.


Name of Program: Dawson County CERT
Geographic Area: Dawson County and areas in Pickens County bordering Dawson County
Point of Contact: Richard Sims
Phone Number: (706) 579-0496
E-mail address: richardwsims@alltel.net
Brief Description: To provide the citizens and frist responders of Dawson County, GA and the surrounding area with quality volunteer assistance with both small and large scale emergencies and disasters.


Name of Program: Barrow County CERT
Geographic Area: Barrow County
Point of Contact: Andrew Dykes
Title: CERT Coordinator
Phone Number: (770) 480-9162
E-mail address: wcfdff11@hotmail.com
Website address: http://www.barrowcert.org
Brief Description: The Barrow County CERT program is being developed to aid the professional responders in the event of a major disaster within the county. The program is open to all residents of the county (18 and older). The team currently consists of 20 volunteers fron across the county. This number is expected to grow substantially as additional training sessions are scheduled. The first class was certified in June 2006, with a second class being certified in October 2006.


Name of Program: Forsyth County CERT Program
Geographic Area: Forsyth County
Point of Contact: D Smith
Phone Number: (770) 781-3063
E-mail address: DTSmith@forsythco.com
Brief Description: Provide assistance to the community at large and Public Safety agencies when needed. Our goals are to offer basic CERT training to residents and then offer more intense training when available to those who desire to volunteer on a team. Our objectives also include using volunteers and retirees who have specfic experience in areas such as law enforcement, nursing, EMA and fire departments. Volunteers and retirees will be required to show they are capable of the physical requirements for the program.


Name of Program: Henry County CERT
Geographic Area: Henry County
Point of Contact: Don Ash
Phone Number: (770) 288-7865
E-mail address: dash@co.henry.ga.us
Website address: http://www.co.henry.ga.us/cert
Brief Description: Protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood... The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program that helps educate citizens about hazards they may face and trains them in lifesaving skills so that they are better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their homes and communities. Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. As the CERT concept has taken hold across the country, however, CERT's have become much more than originally envisioned. CERT's have proven themselves to be an active and vital part of their communities' preparedness and response capability. For example, CERT's have been used to: Distribute and/or install smoke alarms and batteries to the elderly and disabled. Assist with evacuations and traffic control. Promote community awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures. Supplement staffing at special events, such as parades. Act as victims in training exercises. CERT's are an investment of local government's time and resources. To capitalize on this investment, program sponsors can view CERT members as a volunteer resource that can assist with public safety activities. Such an approach will actively involve members in serving their communities beyond disaster response and add value to the CERT program.


Name of Program: Columbia County CERT
Geographic Area: Columbia County, Evans, Georgia
Point of Contact: Pam Tucker
Phone Number: (706) 868-3303
E-mail address: ptucker@columbiacountyga.gov
Website address: http://www.columbiacountyga.gov/home/index.asp?page=2565
Brief Description: Columbia County now has a total of 211 citizens who are certified to help their neighbors in the event of an emergency or disaster. CERT training started in Columbia County in January 2004 with citizens from all over Columbia County volunteering their time to learn emergency response skills that make our community safer. The CERT program includes training in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster medical operations (such as triage, treating life threatening injuries, assessment, treatment and hygiene), light urban search and rescue, team organization, disaster psychology and a disaster simulation exercise. Seasoned instructors from the Emergency Management Agency, Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue, Gold Cross EMS, Grovetown Department of Public Safety, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Augusta Chapter of the American Red Cross volunteer their time to conduct the training. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, (who can easily become overwhelmed in major events), provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members are also called upon to assist other counties and states during major disasters. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community, such as making public presentations, assisting with public safety awareness events, and assisting with community disaster exercises. The CERT training program is provided to Columbia County citizens who are 18 years or older at no cost. This program is 100% funded by Homeland Security Grant funds. Refresher training for CERT graduates from Groups 1 thru 8 will be held on November 14, 2007 from 6pm until 8:30pm at the EOC.


Name of Program: Fulton County Fire CERT
Geographic Area: Unincorporated Fulton County
Point of Contact: Natalie Riggs
Phone Number: (404) 505-5700
E-mail address: natalie.riggs@fultoncountyga.gov
Brief Description: FCFD's CERT training is approximately 20 hours. The class schedule and location can be modified to meet your needs. Training can be held in our fire stations, it also can be held at your location with prior approval. Our goal is to train every citizen and every person who works within unincorporated Fulton County to be prepared for any disaster. CERT Training: South Fulton Locations: Station #23 4121 Cascade Rd. Atlanta. Station #7 5965 Buffington Rd. College Pk. North Fulton Locations: Station #12 10265 Medlockbridge Rd. Alpharetta. Station #8 3165 Old Alabama Rd Communities, businesses, churches and organizations are welcomed. Fulton County Fire Stations are accepting applications for CERT training or you can call 404 699-8907.


Name of Program: Gwinnett County CERT
Geographic Area: Gwinnett County including all municipalities
Point of Contact: Kathy Wilson
Phone Number: (770) 513-5227
E-mail address: kathy.wilson@gwinnettcounty.com
Website address: http://www.gwinnettcounty.com
Brief Description: This is an 8-week course with classes held one night a week from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. The final class is conducted on a Saturday from 8am to 12pm and includes a final exam and an interactive disaster exercise. Our goal is to help citizens of Gwinnett County prepare themselves and their families to respond to emergency situations. The course also teaches participants how to respond within their neighborhood during emergencies or disaster situations when first responder resources are depleted and are not immediately available.


Name of Program: Teen C.E.R.T. Peachtree City Police Department
Geographic Area: Peachtree City, Fayette County, Region VII
Point of Contact: Stan Pye
Phone Number: (770) 631-2514
E-mail address: spye@ptcgovernment.org
Brief Description: The Peachtree City Police Department is dedicated to providing outstanding service through community partnership that builds trust, reduces crime, creates a safe environment, protects the constitutional rights of our citizens, and enhances the quality of life in our community. The Police Department has been internationally accredited for over 15 years (www.ptcpolice.org, www.calea.org). The department is committed to being prepared for any and all incidents requiring emergency assistance. The core values of the Peachtree City Police Department are as follows: Integrity: We adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards in dealing with the community and other agencies. Accountability: the community defines our quality of service. Therefore, each member will be responsible for his other actions; not only to the community we serve, but also to fellow officers. Respect: We recognize the value of our unique cultural diversity and treat all people with kindness and dignity. We cherish and protect the rights, liberties and freedoms granted by our laws and the constitution of the United States and the State of Georgia. Fairness: We are consistent in our treatment of all persons. Our actions are tempered with reason and equity. Teamwork: We encourage teamwork and cooperation between agency members and will foster partnerships with the community. We will listen to community concerns and provide solutions as best we can. Efficiency: We recognize our commitment to the community to manage our resources in a cost effective and fiscally responsible manner. Price: We exude a sense of dignity and self-respect in the accomplishment of our mission. During 2005, the department enhanced this commitment by creating a Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T. http://www.ptcpolice.org/cert.htm). This team has been expanded to over seventy-five (75) trained volunteers in our community to respond to emergencies. Our current goal is to expand this program into the school system. The educational benefit of this type of training will remain with our children for years to come. The program would be taught to high school children. The program is called Student Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) (link to more information: http://www.naem.com/connection/11/sert.html). This program taught in our local schools will raise the level of educational instruction, family learning opportunities, and emergency preparedness for students through school involved projects. The department is seeking partial and total funding for the program. There is currently no committed alternative funding sources and dollar amounts for the program/project