Our Mission Statement
USF's Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting, training, and providing education on emergency preparedness within the University of South Florida and its surrounding communities.
Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Tampa Bay
Hurricane Helene Response
As Hurricane Helene made landfall along the Gulf Coast, the Tampa Bay area faced a formidable challenge. With winds exceeding 100 mph and heavy rainfall, residents experienced severe flooding, power outages, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Streets transformed into rivers, stranding families and isolating neighborhoods. Emergency services worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community, but the sheer scale of the disaster highlighted the urgent need for coordinated support. Schools and public facilities opened as shelters, providing refuge for those displaced by the storm. Amid the chaos, the resilience of the Tampa Bay community shone through, with countless individuals coming together to assist their neighbors and help restore a sense of normalcy. Now is the time for our community to unite and respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The USF Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is actively seeking volunteers to aid in relief efforts, from distributing supplies to providing support in shelters. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected. Whether you have emergency response training or simply a willingness to lend a helping hand, we need you! Join us in rebuilding and restoring our community. Sign up today to help us show that together, we are stronger.
Call to Action
CERT Basic Training
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Our next FREE Basic Training course is coming soon, sign up today!
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For more details on joining CERT, click the link below
or complete the Interest Form to receive a notification about upcoming courses!
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Register for the Spring 2025 CERT Basic Course
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Thursday, February 6th from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday, February 7th from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Save-the-Date: Fall 2025 CERT Basic Training Course
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Thursday, September 18th from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday, September 19th from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, September 20th from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hurricane Season Volunteer Application
Haven't yet completed the CERT Basic Training Course, but still want to be involved? Want to increase your level of preparedness? Interested in serving the community? Want to be connected to one of our Tampa Bay response teams? Sign up to be notified when opportunities arise during hurricane season.
Each year, the Atlantic Hurricane Season threatens communities across Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. The USF Community Emergency Response Team is a Federal Emergency Management Agency volunteer organization that specializes in the activation of volunteers to assist the community during disasters. Sponsored by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue's Office of Emergency Management, the team plans, trains, and activates when requested for extreme weather and large events to support Hillsborough County.