Miami CERT

The City of Miami Department of Fire Rescue’s (MFR) Division of Emergency Management (DEM) created the Miami Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program to prepare individuals to care for themselves, their family members, and their neighbors during an emergency or disaster until professional emergency responders arrive.

Miami volunteer CERT members may be activated to support emergency or disaster operations as well as non-emergency operations within the City of Miami community. CERT members also are encouraged to take a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. The Miami CERT is a program that trains citizens in basic emergency response skills, so that they can supplement and support, not replace, professional emergency responders during a major emergency incident or disaster.

Mission Statement: 

The mission of the Miami CERT Program is to have a cadre of trained and equipped volunteers capable of safely helping themselves, their family, their neighbors, or the community if called upon, following an emergency or disaster, and who will provide disaster preparedness public education to the City of Miami community.

CERT Application

CERT Member Requirements:

• Miami CERT Members must be at least 18 years of age with a valid Florida Driver’s License orIdentification Card; A current U.S. Military Identification will also be accepted.
• Miami CERT Members must complete the CERT Basic Training Course.
• All applicants wishing to become a Miami CERT member must have completed the registration requirements.Miami CERT members must live or work within the City of Miami.
• Applicants must complete IS-100c, IS-200c, IS-315, IS-317, IS-700b and IS-800d and show proof of completionwithin 90 days of completion of the CERT Basic course.
• Applicants who transfer must show proof of CERT Basic Training completion.
• Applicants will be subject to a backgrounds check administered by the Miami Police Department.
• A Miami CERT ID card will be issued to persons that have successfully completed the process.
• All persons wishing to participate in the CERT Basic Training or become a Miami CERT Member mustcomplete a Miami CERT Program Application and Hold Harmless Agreement (given once completion of the CERT Basic Course and orientation).
• Applicants must complete the Miami CERT SOP Manual Acknowledgement Form (given once completion of the CERT Basic Course and orientation).
• Applicants must complete the Miami CERT Code of Conduct Form (given once completion of the CERT Basic Course and orientation).
• Applicants must complete the Loyalty Oath (given once completion of the CERT Basic Course and orientation).

Additional Information:

In order to complete the necessary FEMA Independent Courses required by the Miami CERT program, prospective members will need to obtain a FEMA SID number that can be obtained here, this will then give access to take the following courses, preferably please complete in the order below to have a better understanding of CERT, the Incident Command Structure (ICS) and the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS). 

In-person trainings are held at the "Fire College": 3425 Jefferson Street.  Miami FL 33133.

The next offerings for basic training are:

• Hybrid Class (online + in-person):

• August 17th and 18th, 2024
• September 14th and 15th, 2024
• October 26th and 27th, 2024

• American Red Cross

• Salvation Army

• United Way

• Miami Dade Medical Reserve Corps

• American Red Cross Virtual Emergency Preparedness Program

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors such as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages, may prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect through the 911 system. People will have to rely on each other for help to meet their immediate lifesaving and life sustaining needs.

The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. Two years later, the Whittier Narrows earthquake underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Furthermore, it confirmed the need to train civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens for disaster response.

The training program that LAFD initiated furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family, and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes the importance of preparing citizens. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy (NFA) adopted and expanded the CERT materials trusting them applicable to all hazards.

The CERT Program and Basic CERT Course will benefit any citizen who takes it. This individual will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster. Since 1993, when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

In January 2002, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, United States President George Bush introduced the U.S. Citizen Corps Program to encourage volunteerism and a sense of civic duty within the public. Citizen Corps is comprised of several volunteer programs including Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Neighborhood Watch, Fire Corps, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program.

• City of Miami Fire Rescue Department
• City of Miami Division of Emergency Management 
• City of Miami Hurricane Information Page
• City of Miami Police Department 
• Florida Division of Emergency Management 
• FEMA’s Preparedness Website 
• FEMA