Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

The City of Homestead's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains volunteers to assist first responders and the public during emergency situations.

Member Responsibilities

As a member of the Homestead CERT team, you will:

• Serve as a volunteer during disasters as directed by City staff
• Collect disaster intelligence to support first responders and City staff
• Provide basic support to individuals in distress until first responders arrive
• Participate in quarterly CERT meetings and community outreach initiatives
• Represent and support City staff at events
• Receive training in basic life support, severe weather identification and reporting, and much more
• Receive a free CERT backpack with a green CERT helmet, reflective vest, and tools

Requirements

To join the Homestead CERT team, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a Level 2 criminal background check performed by the City of Homestead
• A background check performed by another agency will not be accepted
• Successfully complete the following courses:
  • IS-315.A - CERT and the Incident Command System (ICS)
  • IS-317.A - Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The IS-315.A and IS317.A courses are offered periodically, in-person, through the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, including in the City of Homestead. 

Click here to register for a CERT course.

Please note, you will need to create a free account on Florida Division of Emergency Management's, if you do not already have one.Click here to create an account.

Other Important Points About the Homestead CERT Program

• You do not need to reside in the City of Homestead to join the Homestead CERT team.
• Homestead CERT team members may be asked to participate in events that are outdoors and/or require physical activity such as walking and lifting weighted objects.
• Even if you do not wish to join the Homestead CERT team, you are encouraged to complete IS-315.A and IS-317.A courses when offered in the City of Homestead or elsewhere.

CERT members who complete the following courses become eligible to join the Miami-Dade County CERT program. Upon invitation by Miami-Dade County, they can deploy to disaster zones and large-scale events under the direction of the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management.

• IS-100.C - Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200.C - Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-700.B - An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS-800.B - National Response Framework, An Introduction

Please complete the Homestead CERT team registration form and email it to Homestead's Emergency Operations Center.

For more information, please email Jaime Hernandez, Homestead's Emergency Manager and CERT Program Manager.