Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Looking to get involved in your community? Consider joining the Walton County Community Emergency Response Team! 

This training program, created through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), prepares Floridians to help their families and neighbors in the event of a disaster. Through CERT, citizens can learn about disaster preparedness and receive training in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations.

With this training, Florida volunteers can provide critical support in their local communities by giving immediate assistance to victims before emergency first responders arrive on scene. 

In addition to preparing our community, CERT volunteers support the Walton County community year-round by participating in community preparedness outreach activities, providing traffic control at community events, serving in the Emergency Operations Center, and educating the public on disaster preparedness. 

Interested in becoming a CERT Volunteer? Join us for our Spring 2025 course, dates are listed below. Walton County Emergency Management offers three courses a year. 

• Upcoming Course Dates To Be Determined.

Please note: You must attend ALL courses in order to receive certification. For questions, please contact CERT Program Manager, Gene Jack at gene@waltoncountyem.org or Operations Coordinator, Catie Feeney at catie@waltoncountyem.org.

The CERT Course is 24 Hours and is typically taught over three consecutive Saturdays or four weeknights and one Saturday. For special interests groups or community organizations, CERT training staff does provide modified training sessions throughout the year. For more information, please email CERT@waltoncountyem.org. 

• Disaster Preparedness
• CERT Organization
• Disaster Psychology
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Fire Safety and Utility Controls
• Light Search and Rescue
• Terrorism and CERT