Spartanburg
CERT
LATEST NEWS
Welcome to our page
Welcome to the Spartanburg County CERT page. This page provides basic info about the program. Those interested in knowing more about the program or joining are encouraged to call 864-595-5368, submit an online membership form or send an email to rswofford@spartanburgcounty.org.
Divisions
SCSAR
Our Search and Rescue team is a highly trained, multi-disciplinary group capable of responding to a wide variety of missions. We currently have:
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90+ active, trained ground searchers
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7 certified K9 handlers with a total of 10 K9s, including:
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1 NAPWDA/NNDDA certified Air Scent/Cadaver dog
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1 AMPWDA Level 2 Air Scent dog
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2 NNDDA certified Cadaver/HRD Land dogs
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1 AMPWDA Level 2 Trailing dog
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1 additional Certified Air Scent/Cadaver dog
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Several K9 handlers in training
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8 licensed drone pilots
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Trained side-scan sonar operators
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20+ trained support members
Our team tailors each deployment to the specific needs of the requesting agency—whether it's land-based search, K9 tracking, drone surveillance, or sonar support. Whatever services we can offer, we provide them with professionalism and dedication.
To learn more, click below.
To request activation, call 864-595-5368.
Support Services
One of the most important needs for first responders during extended operations is proper hydration and nutrition. Our Support Services unit is equipped with supplies and a dedicated trailer designed for long-duration emergency responses, allowing us to deliver comprehensive on-scene support.
With over 100 activations and counting, our team is busier than many realize. While our primary mission is responder rehab during long incidents, we also step in wherever support is needed.
Beyond emergency responses, CERT Support helps organize and run the annual Spartanburg Community Emergency Preparedness Day, has operated donation centers on three occasions, supported multiple 5K events, and frequently assists with traffic control, barricades, and special event logistics.
Support Services members are also trained in damage assessment, points of distribution (PODs), and other key skills—making our team a versatile asset for any agency or organization in need of assistance.
Shelter
During disasters or extreme weather events, the CERT Shelter Team supports community sheltering efforts by either assisting the American Red Cross or operating one of our own pet-friendly shelters.
Since officially incorporating sheltering into our services, we've invested in four shelter kits, two fully stocked shelter trailers, and a dedicated DART trailer to support pet accommodations. These resources allow us to provide flexible sheltering options based on the scale and nature of the incident.
Whether it's a temporary shelter for families displaced by an apartment fire, a warming center during frigid temperatures, or a full-scale evacuation shelter during a hurricane, our team is trained, prepared, and equipped to meet a wide range of sheltering needs. We also ensure coordination with local agencies to streamline logistics, registration, and animal care—so residents and their pets can remain safe, comfortable, and together during times of crisis.
Disaster Animal Response
The mission of the Spartanburg County Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) is to promote the safety and well-being of animals affected—or at risk of being affected—by disasters. DART also supports those who provide emergency and ongoing care for animals throughout all phases of a disaster. We accomplish this through three core efforts: 1) Preparedness, 2) Awareness, and 3) Response.
During non-disaster times, our primary role is to assist with co-located human/pet shelters operated by Spartanburg County CERT in coordination with the Office of Emergency Management.
EOC Response Unit/Comms
Our Emergency Communications Division is deeply integrated with every aspect of our operations, as we rely on communications personnel in all facets of our work. Whether it's a support call, a search and rescue (SAR) assignment, distributing emergency weather notifications, or a Shelter/DART activation, effective communication is always essential.
This division was established to engage individuals interested in emergency communications, provide them with the necessary training, and offer real-world opportunities to apply their skills in the field.
Debris
Services
At the start of our program, we acquired the essential equipment needed for community debris removal. While these tools were in place early on, they were not utilized extensively until 2020. That year marked our first major activations.
Since then, the demand for debris support has steadily grown. Most recently, our team played a critical role in the community response following Hurricane Helene, coordinating the removal of storm debris across impacted areas in Spartanburg County.
This Support Services function is managed separately due to the specialized skills involved. Many of our debris volunteers are trained in chainsaw operations, heavy equipment use, and safety protocols.
CERT91
CERT91 is a specialized unit within Spartanburg County Emergency Management that works closely with Spartanburg County 911 to handle non-emergency response calls. These trained volunteers are dispatched to assist with a variety of service-oriented requests, helping free up first responders for higher-priority emergencies.
CERT91 regularly responds to:
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Assist-a-citizen calls • Lift assists • Welfare checks •Non-emergency public service requests
If you're an EMR, EMT, Paramedic, or simply have an interest in healthcare—and you're willing to take a CPR and First Aid class and volunteer a few hours or more—**we’d love to have you on the team. Click below to learn how to get involved.