Muskegon County Community Emergency Response Team / Medical Reserve Corps

The Muskegon County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) are organized and managed under one volunteer program by Muskegon County Emergency Management.

CERT is a component of the US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Volunteers learn how to prepare for disasters that could happen in Muskegon County. Volunteers train to assist their families, neighbors, and community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to help.

The MRC is a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Volunteers include healthcare workers and public health experts, as well as community members who want to help make their neighborhoods healthier and stronger, even if they don’t have a medical background.

All volunteers are valued members of the team and play a key role in the county's Emergency Management System. By sharing your skills, you join our local efforts to prepare for emergencies.

Volunteers are provided the training and practice to successfully carry out any or all of the following activities with the overall goal of saving lives, protecting property, and improving emergency preparedness and safety within the community.

• Search and Rescue Assistance

• First Aid and Basic Life Support

• Mass Casualty Triage and Treatment

• Basic Patient Extrication

• Traffic Control and Crowd Management

• Extinguishment of small fires (no larger than a kitchen garbage can)

• Damage Assessment

• Emergency Evacuations

• Emergency Shelter Operations

• Volunteer Reception Center Support

• Points of Dispensing Site Support

• Multi-Agency Coordination Center Support

• Acute Care Site Support

• Emergency Preparedness Outreach, Education and Projects; and

• General Emergency Management Support

To be a part of the volunteer program with Muskegon County Emergency Management, you must:

• Be at least 18 years-old.

• Submit a volunteer application.

• Pass a background check.

• Complete a 20-hour CERT basic training course.

• Complete at least 10 hours of online independent study training through FEMA.

• Participate in critical technical skill sessions throughout the year.

• Participate in preparedness activities/events, trainings, exercises and scheduled drills.

• Attend a minimum of five scheduled meetings annually.