The Asheville Fire Department announced on Apr. 16 the launch of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, which aims to equip local residents with skills to assist during emergencies when first responders may be delayed or overwhelmed.
The CERT initiative is designed to enhance community resilience by providing practical training for citizens, helping them support their neighborhoods in times of crisis. The program follows national CERT standards and also addresses hazards specific to Asheville, such as flooding, severe weather, wildfire, and community support operations.
Participants in the CERT program will receive instruction in disaster preparedness and hazard awareness, fire extinguisher use and small fire safety, light search and rescue that does not involve structural collapse, basic disaster medical operations including triage and treatment area setup, team organization and accountability, as well as personal and family preparedness planning. According to the announcement: “CERT members are trained to operate safely within defined limits.” The department states that anyone over 18 years old can join without prior experience but must complete both online classroom sessions and a hands-on training day. All participants must agree to follow activation and safety protocols set by the Asheville Fire Department and undergo a background check.
Asheville’s City Hall at 70 Court Plaza serves as the central administrative hub for municipal operations according to the official website. The city delivers municipal services within its limits through coordination among departments such as Public Works, Water Resources, Planning, and others according to official information.
Long-term community engagement is supported through initiatives like City Plans that aim for sustainable growth and equitable development according to the city’s official website. Asheville operates under a council-manager government structure where elected officials set policy while a city manager oversees daily operations; there is a mayor along with six city council members serving four-year staggered terms as described by city sources.
Applications for the CERT program are now open on the department’s webpage. This new effort represents an ongoing commitment by local authorities toward building stronger emergency response capacity among residents.
