Benzie and Manistee County CERT Programs

09/15/2025

The National CERT Association has designated this week - September 14-20 as - CERT WEEK

CERT Week highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of all CERT programs across the country. 2025’s theme is “Every Community Needs a CERTain Kind of Hero”

NCA helps teams like ours raise awareness of CERT and the important work CERT volunteers do in (not just our) community.

Benzie County Office of Emergency Management; MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division

04/19/2025

Thanks for representing CERT, Shawn Antol. We do "train and train".

Two volunteers from Benzie County's Citizens Emergency Response Team responded to a call for help after a historic ice storm.

03/11/2025

We are hosting a CERT Basic Training May 3 & 4, 2025 at the Benzie County Government Center. There is no cost for the training or obligation to join a team - but the two days of training could be invaluable.

To learn more about Community Emergency Response Teams (check the FEMA link in the first comment) or ask questions and we will find you the answers.

07/04/2024

CERT all day in the City of Frankfort for July 4 activities.

07/02/2024

Benzie CERT volunteers provided information and handouts on volunteering and preparedness at the Thompsonville Summer Fest.
Reports are that there were approximately 400 visitors to Summerfest 2024!

C. Crisp was the winner of the booth raffle prize. Congrats! It is one of those prizes we hope she never has to use in its entirety, but it is nice to know she has it if she needs it.

08/10/2023

A little slow getting our April training pictures published. Looking at the team all bundled up makes me appreciate the current temps. This CERT training was our Basic Search and Rescue Operations training. It included outside survival techniques, along with day and dark search scenarios. They were spread out for the scenarios - so I only posted the group pictures. No, they were not looking for lost people in a parking lot. Thanks for being awesome CERT Volunteers! Thank you Mike Johns for the training.

04/23/2023

Timing seems appropriate to share. Several CERT members are sitting in their second day of SAR training @ Benzie County. Still pulling pine sticks our of their hair, checking for ticks, claiming a warm hotdog dinner IS the "best meal EVER", and trying to digest ICS forms, after a night of ops and not enough caffeine. VOLUNTEERS ROCK!

09/09/2022

Ironman Charity Challenge Supports
Benzie Emergency Response

Frankfort, Mich. — Benzie County emergency responders will get a boost from this year’s Ironman 70.3 Michigan, to be held in Frankfort on Sunday, September 11th. A team from Tri Again Fitness is taking on a Charity Challenge and will help raise money for the Benzie Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

CERT is an all-volunteer program that helps at natural disasters and provides support during major community events such as Ironman. Members go through extensive training to assist emergency responders during a community crisis.

“It’s fitting that emergency responders are supported during this race since it happens on the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks,” said Trevor Tkach (Tah-koch), President of Traverse City Tourism, the sponsor of this year’s Charity Challenge.

A team of about 30 participants from Tri-Again Fitness are expected to join in the Charity Challenge. The Tri Club is a support group for athletes who take part in triathlons. “Our entire Tri Club is excited to be a part of such a great event. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the volunteers that we appreciate so much at these Ironman events. The volunteers do a tremendous amount to support our communities.” says Rebecca Venticinque, Head Coach of Tri Again Fitness. Tri Again Fitness also provides personal training in cycling, swimming and endurance running.

“Everyone of us has witnessed the valuable services that these first responders give to events like Ironman,” said Charity Challenge team organizer, Jen Casey. “The opportunity to give back to the volunteers who shine the most during a crisis, was too good to pass up.”

Funds raised during the Charity Challenge will be used to purchase equipment, and first aid supplies.

More information about the Ironman Charity Challenge is available at Ironman 70.3 Michigan race on Sunday, September 11th in Frankfort and stopping by the Tri Again Tent where you can donate to support CERT.

Online donations can be made at:

Benzie County emergency responders will get a boost from this year’s Ironman 70.3 Michigan. A team from Tri Again Fitness is taking on a Charity Challenge and will help raise money for the Benzie Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

05/02/2022

Hi, I'm Sheila Brown and a member of the Benzie County Community Emerge… Sheila Brown needs your support for Help Dave and Deb Hanchett Offset Medical Bills.

11/08/2021

Thank you!!

Bob Crowell wants to find the next generation of first responders. He's planning to do...