Community Emergency Response Teams

We have teamed up with the Office of Emergency Management (NYCEM) to combat water-related emergencies through NYC Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). CERTs are groups of dedicated volunteers who help prepare their neighbors and communities for different types of disasters. Through this partnership, teams will provide community support to monitor and respond to water emergencies and assist in various roles. CERT volunteers will help to report suspected water conditions to 311, dig out snow-covered hydrants, clear leaves and other debris from catch basins before and after emergencies, patrol and report open hydrants during heat emergencies, and provide preparedness education for rain hazards.

The partnership will utilize 1,300 members from 53 teams in community boards citywide. In addition to basic emergency management training, NYCEM is now conducting training for CERT teams that will enable them to further support the City in the event of emergencies that could potentially impact water and sewer infrastructure.

All CERT members are required to undergo an intensive 10-week training program that raises awareness about emergencies and disasters and provides basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and traffic control. During non-emergency times, CERT volunteers work with NYCEM’s Ready New York program to educate their communities about emergency preparedness and build community disaster networks through the NYC Citizen Corps program.

We look forward to working with CERT teams to ensure New Yorkers remain informed throughout emergency situations and that our infrastructure performs at optimal levels. For more information about becoming a volunteer, visit the Emergency Management Volunteer Portal.