Full Notification

Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management is Recruiting New Members for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Open House Scheduled for October 23, 2025

The Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is inviting residents to make a difference in their community by joining the Raritan Township Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). An informational Open House will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Raritan Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Way, Flemington, New Jersey.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to train volunteers in disaster preparedness and response. Established nationally in 1993, CERT empowers local citizens to support emergency services during crises and strengthens community readiness across the country.

In Raritan Township, CERT members are a vital part of the community’s emergency response network. Volunteers assist with shelter operations, emergency communications, traffic control, search and rescue, and community outreach. They are often called upon to help during large public events, weather emergencies, and township-wide drills, working side-by-side with police, fire, and emergency medical personnel.

Why Join CERT?
CERT volunteers gain valuable skills and confidence to protect themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. Members receive free, hands-on training in areas such as basic first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, and emergency communications. The experience builds leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that benefit everyday life as well as emergency situations.

Beyond training, CERT offers members the opportunity to connect with like-minded neighbors, serve their community, and play an active role in local preparedness and recovery efforts. Whether assisting during a storm, supporting emergency shelters, or helping organize community events, CERT members make a lasting impact where they live.
“No prior emergency experience is needed to join CERT,” said the Chris Phelan, Raritan Township OEM Coordinator. “All training is provided at no cost. What matters most is a willingness to learn and a desire to help others. CERT members are ordinary residents doing extraordinary things when their community needs them most,” he went on to say.

Residents attending the Open House will meet current CERT members, learn about upcoming training sessions, and discover how they can be part of a team dedicated to keeping Raritan Township safe and resilient.

For more information or to RSVP for the CERT Open House, please contact the Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management at (908) 806-7991 or [email protected] or visit www.raritantownshipnj.gov/oem.