Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”)

What is the purpose of CERT?

University Park has a team of trained residents to assist First Responders in the event of a catastrophic event within the community.  They are part of a national program predicated on the concept that residents could one day “be on their own” during the early stages of a disaster before fire, medical* and rescue services teams arrive. 

These forty-plus (40+) resident volunteers had twenty-four (24) hours of basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills to be certified as local CERT representatives.  They create the framework for emergency response in our community to augment the Manatee County emergency network during a disaster.  They can handle assessments in each neighborhood, perform light rescue, triage and First Aid* as needed and then communicate to the First Responders and assist them after their arrival.  They also assist public officials to help University Park be prepared through disaster education and communication that is passed on to our residents.     

*Less likely to perform in Pandemic or post-Pandemic times.

Important CERT documents

What is CERT?

University Park Organization, Preparedness & Response Plan

Build a Disaster Kit

UP CERT Map

Manatee County All-Hazards Disaster Planning Guide

Important CERT Events

Fire Prevention 02.11.2023

The Southern Manatee Fire Rescue (SMFR) came to University Park to take CERT members through their paces on the types of fire extinguishers available and how to use them during a house fire or natural disasters {see below for photos of the event }.

Hurricane Hacks Town Hall 05.09.2023

CERT Leadership

Giovanni Cantarella

Committee Co-Chair

David Cohen

Committee Co-Chair

Eileen Cantarella

Committee Member

Jack Gatesy

Committee Member

Murray Kaftan

Committee Member

Werner Knoop

Committee Member

Meeting Minutes Archive

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CERT Leadership Minutes 05.14.2024

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 03.12.2024

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 01.09.2024

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 11.14.2023

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 09.12.2023

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 07.11.2023

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 05.17.2023

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 03.14.2023

PDF Document

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CERT Leadership Minutes 01.10.2023

PDF Document

university park florida

8301 The Park Boulevard
University Park, FL  34201

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941.355.3888
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