Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

About Us

Granby's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of volunteer Granby residents, organized under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines. Team members undergo an initial training period requiring one evening a week for two months in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Upon activation, during emergencies such as natural disasters or widespread power outages that block roads or overwhelm public safety services, the team members gather at local staging points within their local communities and perform light fire suppression, damage assessment, triage and first aid, search and rescue, until the usual first responders are able to get through. CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises. The Granby CERT Teams meets on a regular basis for additional training and exercises. Team members undergo background checks, are issued protective gear and a jump kit of emergency supplies and are issued an official photo ID by the Town of Granby and State of Connecticut, Department of Homeland Security.