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 can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations.

CERT-Search and Rescue-While most of us see only the homes and businesses along the roads we travel, surprisingly two thirds of Bloomingdale is wilderness. Norvin Green forest comprises the majority of this area with Federal Hill making up the rest.

CERT members receive additional training on wilderness search and rescue. Included is mapping, communications, medical, and transport.

CERT is part of the Presidents Citizens Corp initiative to encourage volunteerism.