Community Emergency Response Volunteers (CERV)

Please note: The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is not currently recruiting additional volunteers for its CERV program.

CERV is the acronym for Community Emergency Response Volunteers, who are part of a province-wide program that aims to improve safety and security in Ontario Communities - large or small, urban or rural. The MLHU was the first public health unit in Ontario to undertake this program.

Since the inception of the CERV program, the MLHU has recruited and trained more than 150 volunteers.

Operating at the grassroots level, the MLHU trains its CERV teams to help in their own communities, preparing them to respond to local emergencies, as needed. Based on an assessment of potential local risks related to health issues, floods, severe storms, major power failures or other hazards, CERV members are able to meet challenges when emergency occur.

Training for CERV-MLHU team members includes:

Basic search and rescue
Community emergency management
Critical incident stress management
Emergency and disaster response skills
Emergency exercise training
Emergency first aid and CPR certification
Fire safety and prevention
Pandemic planning and infection control
Personal and family emergency preparedness
Public awareness and education
Reception centre assistance
Registration and Inquiry
Volunteer health and safety

CERV-MLHU also provides additional support to municipalities by administering volunteer emergency response. Special skills are not necessarily the main consideration for volunteers to be considered for the CERV program. A willingness to step up when members of the community need help is just as important.

Middlesex County also has trained CERV team members. The MLHU and Middlesex County CERV teams are cross-trained to better serve the needs of the community.

Emergency Management

An equilateral triangle within a circle is the international symbol for emergency management. The blue triangle represents harmony, balance and calm while the orange circle is the sign of alert and danger. “EM” and “MLHU” indicates the commitment of the Middlesex-London Health Unit to Emergency Management.

What are the requirements for CERV-MLHU team members?

CERV team members must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid Ontario Driver’s License.
CERV team members must complete the Middlesex-London Health Unit Volunteer Application (PDF), Volunteer Agreement Form (PDF), Confidentiality Form (PDF), Code of Conduct (PDF) and provide the names of two references.
CERV team members must agree to undergo a criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening.
CERV team members agree to prepare themselves, their homes and their families for emergencies.
CERV team members must be willing to make a two-year commitment to the program, and to assist as volunteers in Middlesex County and in the City of London during emergencies, if required.
CERV team members must attend approximately 80 hours of training in the first year, as well as weekly meetings from September to December and monthly meetings between January and April.
CERV team members understand that training will take place at various locations within London and Middlesex.
CERV team members must have a working email address.

For more information

Manager, Emergency Management
50 King Street, London, ON., N6A 5L7
Tel: 519-663-5317 x2371 Fax: 519-663-9413
Email: emergency@mlhu.on.ca

Date of creation: November 28, 2012
Last modified on: November 6, 2019

Community Emergency Response Volunteers (CERV)

Training for CERV-MLHU team members includes:

Emergency Management

What are the requirements for CERV-MLHU team members?

For more information

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