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 provide critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. 

As part of Keyport’s effort to prepare for disasters of all types, CERT personnel are trained and ready to initiate, assist, and augment activities of first responders and service organizations. The group meets twice a month. Once for business and strategy and once for training. Since 2005 Keyport CERT members have received training in Shelter Management, Shelter Operations, Mass Casualty Care, Boat Safety, and as First Responders, including CPR and AED.

The national CERT program aims to increase the number of participants, with over 400,000 individuals completing the 20 plus hours of training. Train-the-Trainer sessions are held in all 56 states and territories to expand the program throughout the United States.

If you are interested in learning about basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations, contact Ken Krohe or Jim Lawson at 732-739-5143. When a suitable class size of applicants has been reached, a training session will be scheduled. The total course will consist of approximately twenty hours, divided into 8 evening sessions.

Residents interested in serving as a volunteer member of a Borough of Keyport board, commission or committee should submit a completed Volunteer Application/Citizen Leadership form to the Borough Clerk.

Visit the NJOEM CERT Program website for additional information.