Seacliff Community Emergency Response Team
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is about readiness . . . people helping people and rescuer safety. When a widespread disaster strikes, professional responders are likely to be overwhelmed and unavailable for many. We will have to rely on each other, as history in the Loma Prieta earthquake reflects. Now the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) predicts we may be on our own from 7–14 days. Are you ready to help? Having CERT volunteers acting as immediate responders to supplement fire, law and medical services is a vital resource in the case of natural disaster.
Seacliff CERT was formed 12 years ago when members of the SIA Board took the certification Training. It is now composed of 14 residents and 2 nonresidents with training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
CERTs may assist others in their neighborhood following a disaster when professional responders are unable to respond. In the event of a disaster our Command Post will be located in the Community Center at Blue Pacific Mobile Home Park located on Mar Vista Drive. The park also maintains a building with our prepositioned equipment and supplies.
How to join the Seacliff CERT Team:
Be ready to support our community by becoming certified and receive a free backpack filled with PPE, equipment, and supplies. The CERT Training Program, offered at no cost to all Santa Cruz County residents, is a 22-hour FEMA-certified course.
The CERT course is offered 2 ways:
- A course in 5 in-person sessions covered in 4 weeks with one Saturday exercise,
- A course with 3 phases – 16 hours of on-line training done at your own pace and convenience and an additional 3 hour zoom training with a Saturday exercise.
To register for our next training course visit: Santa Cruz County CERT
