Spartanburg CERT is a division of the Spartanburg County Office of Emergency Management. While local government is prepared to handle day-to-day emergencies, large-scale disasters can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps bridge that gap by offering all-risk, all-hazard training designed to empower individuals to protect themselves, their families, and their communities during emergencies.

Since its launch in August 2005, Spartanburg CERT has become the largest CERT program in South Carolina, having trained 1,625 individuals across 83 full training sessions and more than 350 classes—totaling over 1,500 hours of instruction. This growth is a direct result of the tireless efforts of our volunteer instructors, whose dedication has formed the foundation of our success.

​

In 2008, Spartanburg CERT expanded its mission beyond basic training to include Advanced CERT, a program designed to keep members engaged and involved even when a major activation is not underway. Advanced CERT members receive additional specialized training in areas such as:
 

• Ham Radio Operations

• First Responder Awareness

• Wilderness and Wide Area Search

• Sheltering Operations

• Disaster Animal Response
   

Those who complete Basic CERT and are willing to make a further time commitment can choose to serve in one or more of our five Advanced CERT divisions:
 

• Spartanburg Search & Rescue

• Support Services & Debris Removal

• Sheltering

• Disaster Animal Response

• Emergency Communications

​

Since its inception, Advanced CERT has responded to or supported over 400 incidents and events, offering vital services to Spartanburg County and beyond.
 

We are proud of our history, our people, and our ongoing commitment to community resilience. To all who have been part of this journey—past and present—thank you. We look forward to continuing to serve together for the greater good.