Volunteers Sought for Community Emergency Response

Maui County News Release 

The Maui Emergency Management Agency is seeking community volunteers in Maui County to be a part of the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT. MEMA sponsors and administers this national program designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Maui Fire Department provides training for all CERT volunteers, including basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

“The CERT program is a critical component to our emergency response network,” said MEMA Administrator Herman Andaya. “In an emergency, CERT volunteers who are already embedded in our communities augment first responders who can then focus on more complex tasks.”

Current CERT certified community members should have been contacted recently by MEMA staff. If not, they are asked to send email to cert@mauicounty.gov.

New volunteers interested in receiving training and being a part of CERT may visit mauicounty.gov/cert for more information and registration.

Future trainings are planned for all areas of Maui County including remote areas of Molokai, Lanai and Hana.

The CERT Basic Training consists of a 12-hour online, self-paced curriculum available in English, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese and an 18-hour in-person skills assessment and field exercise.

Using the Hybrid CERT Basic Training and exercises, CERT members will be able to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an emergency when professional responders are not immediately available. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects and efforts to promote resiliency in their communities.