NYC Welcomes 73 New Emergency Volunteers to CERT Program

When emergencies strike New York City, a special team of trained volunteers springs into action alongside professional first responders.

On June 24, NYC's Emergency Management Department welcomed 73 new graduates to its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. These volunteers completed 11 intensive training sessions covering fire safety, search and rescue, traffic management, and first aid.

The program brings together instructors from the FDNY and NYPD to teach ordinary New Yorkers extraordinary skills. Since launching in 2003, CERT has become a vital part of the city's emergency response network.

"Every year, New Yorkers from all walks of life commit to becoming CERT volunteers to better serve their community," said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell. The dedication is real: 53 volunteers at the ceremony received National Service Honor Awards for logging over 100 volunteer hours in 2025 alone.

This year has kept volunteers busy with 72 planned and emergency deployments. A total of 169 CERT members have stepped up to help their neighbors when needed most.

The Ripple Effect

CERT members don't just respond to disasters. As part of the city's new Summer Welcome Corps, they're helping make major events run smoothly for millions of visitors.

Volunteers have staffed FIFA Fan Fests during World Cup celebrations and assisted travelers at Port Authority, Penn Station, and other transit hubs. They've supported the Knicks Ticker Tape Parade, Brooklyn Pride, Memorial Day parades, and the famous Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge.

When a power outage hit Park Slope, CERT members were there. During snow emergencies, they cleared fire hydrants and curb cuts throughout neighborhoods.

Graduate Misael Azcona said the training helped him understand how emergency response really works. "It takes a whole community approach to help our fellow neighbors," he explained.

Fellow graduate Jana Welch called joining CERT "one of the most important things I could do as an active contributor to my community and my family." In an unpredictable world, she wanted skills to create safety in as many situations as possible.

These volunteers recently completed a citywide mission inspecting all 548 evacuation signs before hurricane season. That's the kind of behind-the-scenes work that saves lives when disasters strike.

From five boroughs, 24 CERT divisions now stand ready to answer when their city needs them most.