Bay County Invites Public to Participate in CERT Program

PANAMA CITY, FL – Bay County Emergency Services officials invite the public to participate in the latest installment of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) basic training courses aimed at preparing citizen volunteers to aid first responders during emergency events. Participants will learn the roles and responsibilities of CERT members, first aid, basic search and rescue, disaster preparedness and CERT organization.

“CERT is a program that is sponsored and administered by Bay County Emergency Services in Bay County. It allows community members to be trained and organized to help in disasters, large public events, missing person searches, and other activities where community members can be a force multiplier,” Bay County Emergency Services Chief Matt Lindewirth said. 

Members of the Bay County CERT program may be called upon during times of disaster to volunteer as Citizen Information Center call takers, potentially help in the Emergency Operations Center, help with traffic control, light search and rescue, or manage volunteer or donation centers.

The next two-week training course will begin December 2, 2024 and will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. two nights each week with one Saturday commitment from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the second week. The course is required for community members to become part of the Bay County CERT; however, members do not have to be a part of the team to attend the course. Students will be required to attend all course days and pass a test at the end to complete the class and will be required to perform basic tasks and lift objects that weigh 20 pounds or less. The course is free of charge.

To attend a CERT basic course and/or become a member of the Bay County CERT program, please register online here:  https://forms.gle/H1XAEpcuCXxwd98P8