What is CERT?
South Gulf Cove Community Emergency Response Team
Who and where are they?
Operating under the umbrella of the CCT, The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT Team) is a dedicated group of highly motivated residents from SGC who have volunteered to take the required training for the purpose of forming and developing our local group.
The Heart of the C.E.R.T program is “Neighbor Helping Neighbor”
How are we funded?
SGC C.E.R.T is self-funded. There are no tax dollars provided by the County. The County only provides training for volunteers. Funding is needed to maintain the trailer, stock all the necessary supplies and provide go bags for our volunteers.
What does this mean for people living in SGC?
In case of a major disastrous event, County provided emergency services could be negatively impacted and communication may be impinged. As soon as possible and when safe to do so, SGC C.E.R.T assessment patrols would start a visual survey of our community to determine damage levels and provide aid to those that require it. If our community experiences a significant destructive incident, our C.E.R.T team would provide a first response benefit to all SGC residents. Our CERT team learned a lot after Hurricane Ian, especially the importance of having communication in the community when everything is shut down. The CERT team has been hard at work raising funds to implement a communication system in the event SGC is ever faced with another disaster like Hurricane Ian.
“Friends of SGC CERT”
SGC CERT is looking for “Friends of SGC CERT”. Someone may be interested in joining but the county training has been postponed for some reason. Residents may have had prior training in emergency response or have additional equipment for use during an emergency. Our SGC CERT team and community will always welcome your help. foc@southgulfcovecct.org
How can you help?
-Make a tax-deductible donation, checks made out to SGC CCT/CERT
-Consider becoming a SGC CERT Volunteer
-Become a friend of CERT
-Join our CERT Facebook page
CERT’s Accomplishments Since March 2023:
-organized our 1st Parrot Jack Head Fundraiser since 2019 to raise funds for our new communication antenna
-held our 1st CERT bingo Fundraiser to benefit the new communication radios
-CERT purchased 20 GMRS Radios for emergency communication
-CERT installed two antennas at the SGC HOA Clubhouse for HAM & GMRS radio communication
-CERT holds a monthly HAM radio information net to practice radio communication
-CERT improved our team phone tree activation via phone text for faster response times
Please contact Geoff Norton at cert@southgulfcovecct.org for more information
CERT Fundraising successes:
.
