When a natural disaster or emergency strikes, volunteers are usually the first people called upon to help. Do you have interest in making a difference in your community? In this section, you will learn how you can make a difference in your community.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
Volunteering with a local Community Emergency Response Team requires some advanced training and skills. We encourage you to learn more about CERT below and then sign up for the free training.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their communities and trains them in basic disaster response skills. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an incident when professional responders are overwhelmed or not immediately available to help.
In Connecticut, local authorities can activate trained CERT members to support shelter operations, commodities distribution activities, emergency operation centers, search and rescue activities, evacuation notification efforts, vaccination clinics and other tasks that they are trained to handle. CERT teams set their own schedule and most meet monthly for training and/or social events. Anyone can participate (though some programs restrict participation to people 18 years old or older).
To date, the following towns within the region have active CERT teams: Andover; Avon Fire Corps; Bolton; Bristol; Burlington; Canton; CTSART; East Haddam; East Hartford; East Hampton; Ellington; Enfield; ESPN; Farmington; Granby; Hartford; Manchester; Middletown; Newington; Portland; RHAM Video Unit – Somers; South Windsor; Southington; Stafford; Vernon; Wesleyan University; West Hartford and Windsor Locks.
If you are interested in taking CERT training, or becoming a member of a CERT team, register to take disaster training.
Community Volunteer Opportunities
We encourage all volunteers to first make sure they are prepared. With their personnel preparedness level high, they will be able to support their communities in a time of need.
If/when a disaster strikes, here are few places you can volunteer your time and service without prior disaster training:
- American Red Cross – Connecticut & Rhode Island Region
- Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services
- Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind – Storm Buddy
- The 211 database is an informational service that can direct volunteers after a disaster or significant weather event.
Remember, the best way to help local officials during a disaster is to prepare yourself, your family, and your neighborhood!
(CR-MRC) Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps
The CR-MRC provides medical care and related logistical support during incidents affecting your community. Medical professionals and individuals from all walks of life participate. The CR-MRC is organized, trained and equipped to deploy a medical emergency response team to manage, for the first 48-96 hours, the health consequences of an incident occurring in the Capitol Region. Your communities need your medical and logistical skills in a disaster and MRC training will prepare you to mobilize and work effectively for the CR-MRC for any hazard situation.
Meeting Schedule: Monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at the East Hartford Public Safety Complex, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The CR-MRC also conducts drills and supports disaster response medical requirements.
Sign up to join the Capitol Region Medical Reserve Corps today!