​Citizen Involvement
The Strongsville Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program supported by the Strongsville Fire and Emergency Services. The national CERT program educates individuals on how to assist family, friends, neighbors, and themselves in the event of a disaster. The Strongsville CERT team assists the community year-round at local events; in the aftermath of severe weather; or at other venues where city leaders need the assistance of additional personnel.
The CERT program educates people on disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Training includes the completion of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) courses IS-100 and IS-700. Members will receive CPR/AED and First Aid training as part of the program.
CERT training consists of a virtual training program plus a skills demonstration workshop and a disaster simulation. The total time required for training is approximately 26 hours. CERT training is accomplished in conjunction with Southwest General Heath Center and local communities using blended resources and expertise from local safety and CERT organizations.
Strongsville CERT Community Participation
The Strongsville CERT team is very active and visible, providing First Aid support at community events, such as the Memorial Day parade, Rib Burnoff, Fourth of July fireworks, Homecoming festival, Rotary Duck Race and other community events. In addition, the team has aided with post severe weather events; participated in the Cuyahoga County Board of Health Covid vaccine point of distribution (PODs); assisted in missing person search and rescue events; participated in Strongsville POD exercise; participated in citywide active shooter exercise; and role participation during the execution of Strongsville Police sponsored Department of Homeland Security training.
Strongsville CERT Membership
All Strongsville residents over 18 years old, with good general health and a willingness to commit themselves to CERT participation, are eligible to apply to the Strongsville CERT team. Members will need to complete CERT training, be fingerprinted, and pass a background check conducted by the City of Strongsville.
Please click here to see the CERT online training information.
The
CERT Volunteer Application form can be downloaded by clicking here. Enter the information requested, save the document as described at the bottom of the form. Attach the saved document and email to
StrongsvilleCERT@gmail.com; Subject:
CERT Volunteer Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more information?
Click here for some frequently asked questions about Strongsville CERT.
Strongsville CERT Recognized by State, City
The Strongsville Community Emergency Response Team has been named a 2024 ServeOhio award winner by the state of Ohio. The award was presented to the team June 17 by Fire Chief Jack Draves and Mayor Tom Perciak at a City Council meeting, where Perciak also read a proclamation congratulating CERT on the award and thanking its members for their service to the community.
In addition, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency recognized three Strongsville CERT members:
Dale Hawk received the Exceptional Volunteerism Award
Don Rohde received the Exceptional Leadership Award
Don Rohde and Mike Mahoney received the Volunteer Service Hour Award
