CERT volunteers step up in Faribault during flooding
July 18, 2024
Faribault, Minn., in Rice County was one of many communities that struggled with flooding this summer. The Rice County Community Emergency Response Team was there to helpWhen a flood hits a community like it did Faribault, Minn., earlier this summer, the amount of work that needs to go into responding and recovering can be overwhelming. While emergency services and public safety professionals jump into action, they don't always do it alone. Thankfully, Minnesotans are willing to step up to help their neighbors through the community emergency response team (CERT) program.
CERTs are coordinated with help from our Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local partners — in the case of the Rice County CERT, the Faribault Fire Department.
“These are trained volunteers who make a huge difference for their neighbors," HSEM Director Kristi Rollwagen said. “It proves the value of these private-public partnerships, in which private individuals step in to help, adding to the resources provided by public servants."
The Rice County CERT, which was formed eight years ago, was called in to help their community recover from the flooding that has swept Minnesota this summer. The city of Faribault received 17.64 inches of rain in June, which is more than they typically deal with in six months. The water flooded basements, damaged the Cannon River Dam and closed infrastructure like roads and parks.
The team of 30 rolled up their sleeves and got to work filling sandbags, hauling damaged furniture out of flooded basements, removed damaged carpet and pushed water out of houses in the past weeks. They also pitched in to help in the emergency operations center.
CERTs are made up of volunteers who live in the communities they serve. The teams are sponsored by local public safety agencies and trained to provide much-needed assistance in an emergency. The curriculum, which is developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covers everything from fire safety to search and rescue to team organization. That training lets first responders rely on CERTs, assured in the knowledge that they know what to do.
It also lets professional responders focus on more complex tasks while CERT volunteers work together to make sure everyone's needs are met in the immediate aftermath of an emergency. Team members can help bridge the gap until professional responders are able to arrive on the scene of an emergency.
Since the Rice County CERT was formed, they have also directed traffic during special events, helped search for missing children and directed people to area shelters when necessary.
Visit the
HSEM website to learn more about CERTs and how to join one near you.
