The Park Ridge Office of Emergency Management (OEM) recently began a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them 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. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

CERT volunteers participate in an 8-week training program in disaster preparedness and basic emergency response skills taught by active personnel from the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management and the Bergen County Police and Fire Institute.