Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Mayor Fahl and the Office of Emergency Management announces the creation of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Citizens have come to expect that when they report an emergency, help will arrive immediately. In the event of a major disaster, Lambertville's first responders will be overwhelmed with the number of individual emergencies. Not only will they need to respond to emergencies associated with the disaster, but they will also need to continue responding to their regular emergency calls. When emergency dispatchers receive a call, they prioritize it based on the level of immediate threat to life and property. It's important that citizens know how to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours, or until help does arrive.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community. CERT is a nationwide initiative.  Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) is a course that provides citizens with basic training in disaster preparedness and response. Through classroom learning and hands-on training, people will learn how to help themselves, their families, and their neighbors during and immediately following a disaster.

How Can I Join? To become a CERT member, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you want to volunteer your services and become trained to protect yourself and families from disasters; natural or man-made...... Become a CERT member. Lambertville needs you!

For an application or questions, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 609-397-3132.

Role of CERTs in an Emergency

CERTS have been used to:

• Search for lost or kidnapped children
• Staff Emergency Operations Centers and monitor events
• Emergency Operations Center security; driving, information, assisting disabled visitors and minor first aid
• Manage “spontaneous/convergent” volunteers
• Assist Red Cross and other relief organizations on mass care

20 hours of CERT Training Will Teach Participants to:

Describe the types of hazards most likely to affect their homes and communities.

Describe the function of CERT and their roles in immediate response.

Take steps to prepare themselves for disaster. Identify and reduce potential fire hazards in their homes and workplaces.

Work as a team to apply basic fire suppression strategies, resources, and safety measures to extinguish a burning liquid.

Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating shock. Conduct triage under simulated conditions.

Perform head-to-toe assessments Select and set up a treatment area. Employ basic treatments for various wounds.

Identify planning and size-up requirements for potential search and rescue situations.

Describe the most common techniques for searching a structure. Use safe techniques for debris removal and victim extrication. Describe ways to protect rescuers during search and rescue.