FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates individuals about disaster preparedness for incidents that may impact their area and trains them in basic response skills. CERT volunteers are a valuable asset to their community. Team members may be called upon to assist their community following a large disaster when emergency responders are not immediately available or they may also be called upon to assist with routine incidents such as parades, searching for lost individuals, safety assistance at down power lines, or perimeter control around a neighborhood after a severe weather event.

Studies of behavior following disasters have shown that groups working together perform more effectively if there has been prior training and planning. CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself and others in the event of a disaster. The Oakland County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department strongly supports Citizen Corps Programs throughout the County and region through training, planning, coordination, and equipment.

We challenge our residents to better prepare their neighborhoods and place of business for emergency or disaster situations. During a major critical incident, emergency responders and resources will be limited. We encourage all community members to be prepared as they may need to rely on their own resources for food, water, shelter, and first aid for at least three days following a disaster.

Additional information on CERT is available on the FEMA website.

Fire Corps is supported by FEMA and the National Fire Council to build the capacity of fire departments by connecting them to community volunteers who can assist in non-emergency roles. Engaging citizen volunteers greatly enhances the services they can offer.

Additional information on the Fire Corps is available on the National Volunteer Fire Council website

The Medical Reserve Corps is administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services with the goal of engaging volunteers to strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resiliency. Volunteer healthcare professionals may be called upon to assist during large scale events.

Additional information is available on the US Department of Health and Human Services website

Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriff’s Association and supported by the Department of Justice. Neighborhood Watch unites law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in an effort to reduce crime and improve communities. Neighborhood Watch enables residents to a play a role in safety and security through personal responsibility, information and training, and volunteer service. Neighborhood Watch groups are provided the tools to assist with crime prevention efforts, networking crime and suspicious activity information, and proper reporting techniques.

Additional information is available on the Neighborhood Watch website.

The Volunteers in Police Service Program is administered by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and supported by the Department of Justice. The program provides for training and resources for volunteers to support law enforcement by performing administrative and support functions. This effort allows professional law enforcement officials to focus their energy and resources on prevention and protection functions.

Additional information is available on the International Association of Chiefs of Police website

Citizen Corps Programs are critical in the effort to make communities more prepared and resilient when incidents occur. We, in groups and as individuals, can prepare our homes and workplace to cope with these critical times. Each community or program can customize their training and planning needs based upon their threats, environment, and resources.

Oakland County is fortunate to have numerous local leaders that support our communities with active and well trained Citizen Corps/CERT Teams. Our philosophy focuses on training, collaboration, and building of relationships with local cities, villages, and townships that establish and manage their own programs for county-wide service. We intend for our citizens to be better prepared to manage critical incidents such as severe weather, flooding, major power outage, fire, hazardous material incidents, and incidents or terrorism.

Trained and informed citizens will be better able to help themselves, their families, neighbors and co-workers in the event of a disaster that slows, hinders or overwhelms normal response capability. These citizens may also help prevent a terrorist attack or criminal act by watching for and reporting suspicious persons, vehicles, or activity.

Basic Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training involves an 8 module, 20 hour course of instruction and practical exercise. For more background and course curriculum information concerning Community Emergency Response Team training please refer to the FEMA website.

The Oakland County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department is actively engaged with our local teams and very familiar with their operations, events, and activities. We have found that many volunteers select programs based upon the type of activities the team participates in, the level of training offered, the geographic location, and frequency of volunteerism. We will be glad to assist you with finding a finding a Citizen Corps program that fits your interest.

If you are interested in further information regarding Citizen Corps Programs in Oakland County, please send an email to Oakland County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department at oakhsd@oakgov.com or call 248-858-5300.

Brandon Township
David Kwapis
248-627-4000

Holly Township
Karin Winchester
248-634-9331 ext. 301

Waterford CERT
To apply, visit their webpage or call
248-618-6199

City of Hazel Park
Capt Chris Kenny
248-546-4086

City of Novi
Marshall Johnson
248-347-0556

City of Rochester
John Shepp
248-651-4470

City of Rochester Hills
Sgt Jason Dalbec
248-537-3509

City of Southfield
Justin Beck
248-796-5992

White Lake Twp
Sgt Jeff Way
248-698-4400

Oakland County Sheriff's Office
Mike Suarez
248-858-5000
ocso@oakgov.com

City of Royal Oak
Al Carter
248-246-3528

Sylvan Lake
Mike Mondeau
248-682-1440

Waterford Township
William Dolehanty
248-618-6057

City of Hazel Park
Brian Forrester
248-542-6161 Ext. 254

City of Pontiac
Andre Ewing
248-409-7103

City of Royal Oak
Mike Frasier
248-246-3502

City of Southfield
Mark Malott
248-796-5415

Waterford Township
William Dolehanty
248-618-6057