MO CERT1

In 2010, there were some changes in the way federal funding was passed down to the local CERT teams. At that time, the regional CERT leaders met and decided to apply for funding together. This was the start of the regional collaboration MOCERT1. Then, in May, 2011 southwest Missouri experienced a catastrophic event. An F-5 tornado devastated Joplin. Thousands responded from all over the Midwest.

CERT also responded. Each individual CERT program went separately under the direction of their parent organization. After Joplin, it was decided that we should change the way we do things again. We thought that a larger, more unified, MO CERT teams. We would operate on a day to day basis as we normally would, but when there was a need, we would all come together to form a bigger and better team. We met, pitched the program and MOCERT 1 was formed. So far, the MOCERT 1 team has been deployed to: Moore, OK; Baxter Springs, KS; Quapaw, OK and Branson, MO, as well as Shannon and Ozark Counties in Missouri. The team has light search and rescue capabilities, can provide shelter support, perform wilderness search and rescues, debris removal, damage assessments, wellness checks as well as assisting the Red Cross with Safe and Well Team operations. This most amazing group of volunteers always steps up when the need is there.