The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

SRQARES supports CERT by assisting in their training program and encouraging CERT members to become licensed Amateur Radio Operators to improve their CERT communications capabilities, and once licensed, to become SRQARES members to help provide Emergency Communications for Sarasota County during county-wide emergency situations.