Missoula Recognized National CERT Week

The city honored the local volunteer program that assists professional first responders during emergencies.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Safety

A high-visibility safety vest resting on a portable light unit in a clear, mountainous environment. — The city of Missoula officially recognized National CERT Week this September to honor volunteers who provide critical support to first responders. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you volunteer to assist local first responders during emergencies in your community?

Missoula officially recognized National CERT Week this September to honor the local Community Emergency Response Team. The volunteer organization works to support professional first responders by assisting with critical safety tasks.

Why it matters

The program helps reduce the overall burden on professional first responders during crises. By providing trained volunteers, the community can manage local incidents more effectively without exhausting primary agency resources.

Operating through FEMA, Missoula CERT volunteers provide support to public safety agencies by performing tasks like traffic control and door-to-door resident outreach.

The players

Missoula CERT

This is a local volunteer program that trains residents to provide support during emergencies and disasters.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is the national organization that oversees and operates the CERT program across the United States.

The details

Volunteers have provided vital support throughout the region, including flood preparation efforts in Orchard Homes and post-disaster supply distribution following a 2024 windstorm. The team assists public safety agencies by managing logistics such as traffic control during emergency events.

Missoula CERT began operating in 2018.
Volunteers provided help following a windstorm in 2024.
The team conducted flood preparations in Orchard Homes during the spring of 2026.
Missoula proclaimed National CERT Week in September 2026.
Volunteers are scheduled to direct traffic at polling sites on election night in 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

The Missoula chapter operates as a localized implementation of the national framework established by the FEMA Community Emergency Response Team program. This localized model follows the broader trend of integrating civilian volunteers into municipal emergency management strategies.

Residents can rely on the support of these trained volunteers during local emergencies to assist with traffic control and safety outreach. Those interested in serving may contact the organization to help reduce the strain on professional first responders during critical events.

The takeaway

The Community Emergency Response Team highlights the importance of neighborhood-level preparation in maintaining public safety. Residents should consider local volunteer opportunities to build greater community resilience before the next disaster occurs.