Depending upon direction from the CDC and local government officials, we are continuing to evaluate when
we will resume CERT Team meetings and training. Keep checking our website for updates.
Attention CERT Members!
Your Navarre CERT team has been requested to help out at an event on July 4. Click here for details and to sign up.
The measure of life is not its duration, but it's donation.
Through the power of volunteering, we make our community a better place. Join us today in our effort to give back to the Navarre area.
Navarre Chamber 2020 Non-Profit of the Year: Navarre CERT
From the Navarre Chamber: "Although many Chamber member Non-Profits were very active this year, this one was most likely the busiest. Normally supporting public safety at parades and races, and teaching courses in disaster preparedness for the general public, for several months these volunteers were key players assisting Emergency Management and the Health Department in COVID testing sites in both the north and south end of the county. They also assisted in multiple food distribution and the Five Mile Swamp Fire."Navarre CERT would like to thank all of our volunteers, without whom this award would not be possible.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
CERT educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Using their training, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event and can take a more active role in preparing their community.
A Little Bit About Us:
Our volunteers train to support the greater Navarre area as well as Santa Rosa County. Some of the events we have assisted in are shown below.
- Several 5k/10k Races
- Navarre Mardi Gras Parade
- FunFest
- Missing Swimmers in the Gulf
- Santa Rosa County Fair
- Hurricane Response
Our Leadership
Navarre CERT is lead by the following individuals.
Mike is a retired Chief Master Sergeant of the USAF where he spent his career as a Pararescueman. He was instrumental in many real-world personnel recoveries. Once he retired, he became active in the Navarre community by becoming involved with several non-profit organizations (including CERT). He is also a member of the Navarre Chamber of Commerce and an active SCUBA diver, assisting in care of the many area reefs.
Mark ChapmanVice-President
After retiring from the Air Force as an Air Force Command and Control (C2) Communications officer, Mark spent 10 years as a C2 Systems Subject Matter Expert and another 5 years as an Industrial Security program manager and subject matter expert in International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Upon final retirement, he joined Navarre CERT in October 2016, and obtained his Amateur Radio license in 2017. Mark is also the Executive Vice President for Communications with the Hurlburt Chapter of the Air Force Association (AFA) and serves as the Executive Vice President for the AFA’s Florida Region.
Wendora (Wendy) Witaszek joined Navarre CERT in November 2018. She is a wife, mother of 2 girls, "Memaw" to 3 grandsons, and has lived in Navarre for 12 years. She has been an Emergency Department nurse for 24 years. Currently, she is the President-Elect for the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). Prior to nursing she was an EMT for a volunteer ambulance service and a member of a rural First Responder organization in Mississippi.
Our Partners
We rely on, often work along side of, and support our community partners. They provide training materials, opportunities to assist, and support.
Donate to CERT...
Navarre CERT does not charge a fee to support community events, however, we will gladly accept monetary donations year round to help us continue to provide a valuable community service. Please mail Donations made payable to:
Navarre Community Emergency Response Team
8668 Navarre Parkway #362
Navarre, FL 32566
Navarre Community Emergency Response Team is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Refer To: CH20641