The City of Homestead is doubling down on disaster preparedness, announcing the launch of its second Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course, set to begin January 8 - February 19, 2026, with final exams on February 21. Homestead residents are urged to join and get CERTified, contributing to the city's resilience against crises—from hurricanes to floods. The training sessions will run every Thursday from 6 PM to 9 PM at the William F. Dickinson Community Center, promising comprehensive lessons on emergency response, as per the city's announcement.
The value of CERT was made strikingly evident by the first cohort whose real-world impact in Homestead included assisting with preparedness outreach, public education and, support during major community events, their efforts shown a light on the significance of readiness in times where professional responders are stretched thin across the breadth of emergency incidents. Miami-Dade County Emergency Management will facilitate the program, focusing on skills such as disaster response, fire safety, basic medical aid, and search and rescue operations—the tools deemed essential for neighbors to aid neighbors until professionals can take charge.
Attendance to every session is a mandatory prerequisite for official certification, as noted by the City, who's actively encouraging its community members to partake in what's being lauded as a life-saving and empowering program. With space at a premium, interested parties are prompted to RSVP quickly to guarantee their participation. Registration can be completed on the city's official website at homesteadfl.gov/cert or for further inquiries, one can reach out to the Emergency Management Department at 305-224-4406.
