Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Works directly under the supervision of Crow Wing County Emergency Management when activated to assist during an emergency. Assists in emergency planning, training, and exercises for Crow Wing County Emergency Management. This position is responsible for working with local government officials, healthcare providers, public safety, and the community to help advance Emergency Management initiatives throughout Crow Wing County.   

The Crow Wing County CERT Volunteer position is expected to have the following traits and ensure the following duties during an activation:

• Position is expected to be reliable, punctual, and respectful. Candidates should also be able to communicate well, manage their time, and actively engage with other volunteers and Crow Wing County staff.

• Remain calm and composed during potentially stressful situations.

• Continually being able to assess evolving situations and make changes to assignments to meet operational objects. 

• Communicate often and clearly to CERT volunteers and the EM Director and/or Coordinator.

• Provide guidance and support to CERT volunteers and members of the community. 

• Adapt and be flexible to changing situations.

• Participate in After Action Debriefs upon completion of an activation and/or deployment.

• Assist with training and mentoring newly assigned CERT Volunteers. 

• Develop materials available to be distributed to public about personal preparedness education.

• Assist with annual emergency management exercise development and implementation.

• Assist the Crow Wing County EM Director and/or Coordinator with other duties as assigned. 

It is also expected that the CERT Member will respond to email inquiries from the Crow Wing County EM Director, Coordinator or their designee and CERT volunteers in a timely manner, as well as identifying and reporting any issues or concerns as they occur. 

Crow Wing County CERT Volunteers are expected to complete the following online training within 1 year of accepting this position:

• ICS 100            Introduction to the Incident Command System

• ICS 200            Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response

• ICS 700            An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

• ICS 800            National Response Framework, An Introduction

• IS 317                Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs)

• IS 315                CERT and the Incident Command System (ICS)

• Successful completion of a Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office volunteer background screening.