Carmel-by-the-Sea CERT is a dedicated team of trained community volunteers who stand ready to support our Village before, during, and after emergencies. Working alongside the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department and Monterey Fire, CERT members provide an important additional layer of community support when it is needed most.

All CERT members complete comprehensive FEMA-based training that includes disaster preparedness, emergency first aid, light search and rescue, traffic and crowd management, and disaster response. Team members continue their training throughout the year through drills, exercises, and regular team meetings.

Carmel CERT may be called upon to assist with:

• Winter storms and flooding
• Evacuations
• Downed power lines and road closures
• Lost person and evidence searches
• Traffic and pedestrian support
• Fires and other emergency incidents
• Special events and community preparedness activities
• Mass Casualty Incidents

In May 2026, Carmel CERT played an integral role in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s first citywide Evacuation Drill, working alongside public safety agencies, City staff, community partners, and neighboring CERT teams. The exercise gave volunteers and residents the opportunity to put preparedness into practice, test communications and evacuation procedures, and strengthen the relationships that are so important during a real emergency.

Carmel CERT also works closely with neighboring CERT teams throughout the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur. These partnerships strengthen regional preparedness and our ability to support one another when disaster strikes.

CERT is about more than responding to emergencies. It is about neighbors helping neighbors, building skills and confidence, and creating a community that is better prepared and more resilient.

Interested in joining Carmel CERT and making a difference in your community? 

Contact Team Captains Wanda Vollmer at 831-915-3148 or Scot Smythe at 650-804-8767.