NYC Emergency Management Welcomes 51 New Members to NYC Emergency Management's Community Emergency Response Team

#40-25

December 4, 2025

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WELCOMES 51 NEW MEMBERS TO NEW YORK CITY'S COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell, who founded NYC CERT in 2003, presides over milestone 50th training cycle

New graduates join 24 divisions of credentialed volunteers helping support community safety throughout New York City

NEW YORK - The New York City Emergency Management Department welcomed 51 new Community Emergency Response Team volunteers during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, December 2, at NYCEM headquarters. CERT is a key part of the city's commitment to prevention, community centered preparedness, and equitable safety for all residents. The program strengthens the local networks that help neighborhoods stay safe before, during, and after emergencies. The program strengthens the local networks that help neighborhoods stay safe before, during, and after emergencies. The 11 session training cycle equips volunteers with skills in disaster preparedness, fire safety, search and rescue, traffic management, and first aid and triage. NYC Emergency Management delivers this instruction in partnership with the Fire Department of the City of New York and the New York City Police Department Auxiliary Unit. Through this training, residents gain practical tools that support the safety and resilience of all 8.4 million New Yorkers.

During the graduation, Manhattan Division 3 received the Carlos Nieves NYC CERT Team Award for Excellence in Deployment and Emergency Response.

"Twenty-two years ago, I created NYC CERT starting with a cohort of 106 volunteers because I knew this city needed a structured, trained, community-based force that could strengthen safety at the neighborhood level," said NYCEM First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell. "I built this program to give New Yorkers the skills and confidence to act when minutes matter. Since then, I have overseen its growth into a core part of how New York prepares for and manages emergencies. CERT volunteers support heat responses, outages, coastal storms, and some of the largest public events in the country. They help maintain stability on their own blocks and reinforce the systems that protect our most vulnerable residents. Their work reflects the standard I set for community preparedness: disciplined, practical, and rooted in service. Tonight's graduates join a network that has become an essential part of this city's readiness. I am proud to welcome this new class as they continue the work of strengthening neighborhoods and keeping New York resilient."

"CERT volunteers make a real difference in how New York prepares for and gets through emergencies," said NYCEM Deputy Commissioner of Community Engagement Herman Schaffer. "They bring practical skills to moments that matter, and they help neighbors feel supported and informed long before a crisis begins. Their work strengthens the bonds that keep communities steady. I want to thank First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell for her leadership in building this program and guiding it for more than two decades. We also congratulate all 51 graduates on completing this demanding training. Their commitment to their neighborhoods shows the spirit that keeps this city strong and ready to face whatever comes next."

"Our class includes every kind of New Yorker, from different races, ages, boroughs, and backgrounds. In tough times, it's really heartening to see so many people volunteering their time to show up for our neighbors. I feel really proud to be a part of CERT, and I'm already encouraging my friends to sign up for the next cycle," said NYC CERT Graduate Kat Aaron.

"I am very glad that I signed up for CERT Basic Training. I acquired a wide range of skills and knowledge that I can utilize to both protect myself and contribute to my community. I look forward to putting those skills to use in the field," said NYC CERT Graduate Steve Meta.

CERT members work throughout the year to strengthen local preparedness. They share practical information, help residents develop emergency plans for their households, and support city operations in the field. Recent deployments included the Veterans Day Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation, where volunteers helped maintain safety and steady crowd flow. CERT teams also supported the Department of Environmental Protection by completing catch basin assignments that reduce flood risk and protect neighborhood infrastructure.

Additionally, CERT members supported operational activities that strengthen safety and preparedness at the community level. Volunteers packed winter weather clothing for asylum seeker clients at Respite Centers, a task that helps meet basic needs during periods of heightened vulnerability. They assisted with major city events such as the Five Boro Bike Tour, Tunnel to Towers events, the Mount Carmel Procession and Parade, and the 2025 Disability Pride Parade, where their presence supported safe movement, clear communication, and steady conditions for large crowds. CERT teams also contributed to several receptions at Gracie Mansion that recognized LGBTQ+ Pride, Puerto Rican Heritage, Juneteenth, and Caribbean American Heritage. Their work included managing pedestrian flow and organizing lines, actions that help maintain safe access and reinforce shared responsibility for community well-being.

Since its launch, NYC CERT has supported the city through a wide range of emergencies, including severe weather and localized incidents that require steady, trained assistance. Local teams adjust their work to the specific needs of their neighborhoods, whether that means checking on vulnerable residents, helping manage public spaces during high activity periods, or supporting agency operations. Members also work throughout the year to strengthen community readiness. They share clear, practical guidance, help residents create emergency plans for their households, and introduce preparedness skills that can make a difference long before first responders arrive.

NYC Emergency Management hosts two CERT training cycles each year, ensuring a steady pipeline of volunteers who are prepared to serve. The program is now marking its fiftieth cycle, a milestone that reflects sustained commitment from both the agency and the communities it supports. Residents who want to learn more or explore volunteering can call 311 or visit NYC.gov/cert.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in New York City

The New York City CERT program started in 2003 with 106 volunteers. Today, there are 24 divisions of credentialed volunteers covering all 59 NYC community boards. NYC CERT volunteers participate in an 11-session basic training program where they receive instruction from active members of the FDNY, FDNY-EMS, NYPD, and NYC Emergency Management. Volunteers are trained in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and traffic management.

###

MEDIA CONTACT: NYCEM Press Office (718) 422-4888

STAY CONNECTED: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications), @nycemergencymgt (emergency preparedness info)