Monroe County, Indiana

Monroe County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Who We Are

The Monroe County CERT program is a group of volunteers that promote emergency preparedness and community resiliency within local neighborhoods. Anyone is welcome to join the CERT program, as long as you are 18 years or older, does not have a criminal background, and are physically/mentally able to assist during times of disaster. 

What We Do

Volunteers with the Monroe County CERT program are provided training and equipment to help their neighbors who are in need of assistance after a disaster. The volunteers are trained on how to provide basic first aid, properly turn off utilities to a residence in an emergency situation, extinguish a small fire with a fire extinguisher, and conduct light search and rescue operations. 

Amateur Radio (SKYWARN/ARES/RACES)

This is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need.

• Bloomington Amateur Radio Club: www.bloomingtonradio.org/
• Indiana State RACES: www.in.gov/dhs/2686.htm

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

Who We Are

The Monroe County Medical Reserve Corps is a group of volunteers that promote community resiliency and volunteer in times of disaster when activated.  Anyone is free to join, medical and non-medical, as long as he/she is 18 years or older and does not have a criminal history. We are health educators, nurses, doctors, students, retired, teachers, social workers, technicians, government employees, office clerks, retail employees, and more - all professions accepted!

What We Do

Our mission is to improve the health and safety of the people of Monroe County by collaborating with local organization, recruiting volunteers, and providing trainings in order to assist in public health education, emergency preparedness, and support during times of disaster. 

We promote and strive to build community resiliency by attending health fairs, community meetings, offering trainings, collaborating with local organizations, volunteering, and more.

We volunteer in times of disaster in any number of ways, ONLY when activated. We are activated through the Indiana State Department of Health or the County EMA Director. The MRC was created after 9/11 to prevent self-activation as well as promote registration and training of volunteers. We have our volunteers register through SERV-IN, the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers- Indiana. This allows us to communicate with our volunteers if there is an emergency, keep track of our volunteers and their information (trainings completed, licenses, deployment preferences, etc.), and sign in volunteers when they respond to an emergency to log hours and similar data. Volunteers are ALWAYS given the choice of responding if we are activated and are NEVER required to respond. We always want you to feel comfortable.

For more information, please contact monroemrc@co.monroe.in.us or visit their website at www.monroe.in.us/mrc