The City of Evanston’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) reached a historic community service milestone as they contributed a team record 1,152 hours of service to the Evanston community in 2019. CERT participants receive training 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. They can also provide support at community special events.

Thanks to the outstanding leadership provided by team leaders Steve Lemieux-Jordan and Mike Perlman, the CERT membership has significantly grown over the last year and has formed a leadership team designed to facilitate future team development. A record number of CERT training hours was also provided in 2019 in collaboration with the Evanston Fire Department and Northwestern University’s Office of Emergency Management.

Fire Department Division Chief Kim Kull, who serves as the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the City of Evanston, stated “The great accomplishments made by our CERT membership in 2019 serves as yet another example of the value of volunteerism and community partnerships. On behalf of the City of Evanston, our sincere thanks and congratulations to our Evanston CERT members for a job well done in service to the community!”

For more information, contact Division Chief Kim Kull at kkull@cityofevanston.org