Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a special program set up and run by FEMA to educate people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

(Excert from the FEMA website)

Formed in 2022 as a Non Profit 501C3 to establish a CERT in the Polo Run, Lakewood Ranch, Florida community. When Lakewood Ranch was formed the original CDD communities established a CERT in 2006 which now has nearly 200 active members as of November 2022. They realised that as Lakewood Ranch grows and new neighbourhoods were completed they would need a way to guide and help set up the new CERT teams in these communities. The Lakewood Ranch CERT Coallition was created to share best practice and assist the new CERT teams form and grow. LWR CERT Coallition assisted with resources and training for Polo Run CERT and we work closely with our neighbouring communities through the coalition. The first two members of Polo Run CERT were trained in September 2022 and another 11 completed their training in October 2022.

* Educate our residents about the risks associated with natural and man-made disasters, and how to be prepared.

* Provide residents with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves and their families safe.

* Provide safety support to our community after a disaster before the first responders can deploy.

* Maintain our training and resources to always be prepared to assist our community to keep them safe.