Mahaska County CERT's Vital Role: Serving our Community

The Mahaska County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is dedicated to enhancing the safety and resilience of our community. Discover the vital roles we play in emergency preparedness and response, and how our volunteers make a significant difference every day.

Some of the Services We Do

Mahaska CERT helps support the community in many important ways during and after emergencies. Their trained volunteers work alongside local emergency services to provide extra help when disasters or large incidents happen. Some of the main ways CERT helps include:

  • Disaster Response Assistance – CERT members assist during storms, floods, severe weather, power outages, and other emergencies by helping with damage assessment, basic first aid, welfare checks, and supporting emergency responders.

  • Traffic and Crowd Control – Volunteers often help manage traffic flow and assist with public safety at emergency scenes, community events, and during evacuations.

  • Shelter and Community Support – CERT members help set up and support emergency shelters, distribute supplies, provide information to residents, and assist families affected by disasters.

  • Emergency Preparedness Education – The team teaches the public how to prepare for emergencies through preparedness information, CPR classes, safety training, and community outreach programs.

  • Communication Support – During emergencies, CERT can assist with relaying information between agencies, volunteers, and the public when communication systems are overwhelmed.

  • Search and Welfare Checks – Volunteers may help locate vulnerable individuals, check on residents after storms or disasters, and assist emergency management with community needs assessments.

  • Support for First Responders – CERT helps reduce the workload on fire, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management by handling support tasks so professional responders can focus on critical emergencies. This includes Rehab during events so that they can rest and recover from the things they do.

  • Community Events and Public Service – Beyond disasters, CERT supports fairs, festivals, public safety events, and other local activities by providing safety assistance, hydration stations with the water monster or bottles of water and sports drink and emergency readiness support.

Most importantly, Mahaska CERT helps strengthen the community by training ordinary citizens to safely assist others during difficult situations and encouraging families to be prepared before emergencies happen.

Serving Our Community Before, During, and After Emergencies

Mahaska County CERT hopes to reach several groups within the community because emergency preparedness and disaster response involve everyone. Key audiences include:

  • Potential Volunteers – People who want to serve their community, learn emergency response skills, and help during disasters and community events.
  • Families and Residents – Community members who want to learn how to better prepare their homes and families for storms, power outages, medical emergencies, and other disasters.
  • Donors and Sponsors – Local businesses, organizations, and individuals willing to support CERT through financial donations, supplies, equipment, training support, or sponsorships.
  • Community Leaders and Local Officials – City leaders, emergency management partners, schools, and public safety agencies that work together to strengthen disaster preparedness and response efforts.
  • People Needing Assistance During Emergencies – Residents who may need help, information, resources, or support during and after emergencies.
  • Youth and Future Volunteers – Younger community members interested in public service, emergency preparedness, and learning valuable life-saving skills.
  • Civic and Community Organizations – Churches, service clubs, schools, and nonprofits that may partner with CERT for training, preparedness programs, and community support efforts.

The overall goal is to build a safer, more prepared community where neighbors help neighbors before, during, and after emergencies.

Crucial Shelter and Community Support

Many people are surprised to learn that Mahaska County CERT is much more than just a disaster response group. There are several common misunderstandings about what CERT volunteers actually do:

  • CERT is not just for major disasters. While CERT helps during storms, floods, and emergencies, the team also supports the community year-round through training, public events, preparedness education, traffic control, and community outreach.

  • CERT volunteers are trained. Some people think volunteers simply “show up to help,” but CERT members receive training in areas such as disaster response, first aid, CPR, fire safety, search and rescue, communications, and incident management.

  • CERT does not replace first responders. The team works alongside emergency management, law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS to support them—not take their place. CERT helps handle support roles so professional responders can focus on critical emergencies.

  • Anyone can join. Many people think you need a background in emergency services or medical training to be part of CERT. In reality, volunteers come from many different backgrounds and skill levels. The program is designed to train ordinary citizens to safely help their community.

  • Preparedness is a major focus. CERT is not only about responding after something bad happens. A large part of the mission is helping residents prepare before emergencies happen through education, preparedness tips, and safety classes.

  • Volunteers help in many different ways. Not every volunteer is doing physically demanding work. Some help with communications, organizing supplies, staffing information tables, helping at shelters, logistics, or administrative support. We have a task for everyone .

  • CERT helps build stronger communities. Beyond emergency response, the program helps neighbors connect, work together, and become more resilient during difficult times.

One of the biggest things people do not realize is how much impact trained volunteers can have during emergencies. Even small acts of assistance, preparation, and communication can make a major difference for families and first responders when disasters occur.

Empowering the Community Through Preparedness Education

An involved community is a well-prepared community. Mahaska CERT is nationally recognized for its training programs, teaching the public how to prepare for emergencies. We offer preparedness information, CPR classes, and other essential skills, fostering a proactive approach to safety. Your partnership with Mahaska County Emergency Management is the foundation of our homeland security strategy.

"Mahaska County CERT’s support during the flood was invaluable. Their organized assistance and calm presence made a real difference."

— A grateful Mahaska resident