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Thanks to our members who attended the Point of Distribution Training (POD) that took place on September 3, 2026 at the Connecticut Department of Transportation Center in Newington. This was a full 8 hours of training and practical operations. Even though our Hamden CERT Members supported over 30 Emergency Food Distributions during the COVID-19 Pandemic, (March 2020 through June of 2022) there is always something more to learn as we continue to attend trainings and provide any needed services to our community.

Registration is now open for our next class starting on September 10th! Join us for this free 8- week class that will teach you all the skills necessary to keep yourself, your family, and neighbors safe during any emergency situation. Fill out this form to register!

Hamden CERT Members had the opportunity to assist the volunteers from the Samaritan’s Purse Relief Organization in helping homeowners recover from the damage caused by the tornado and storms of May 15th, 2018. Multiple teams headed out to Hamden, North Haven, and Wallingford in assisting homeowners with the cutting of hazardous trees, limbs, branches and removal of storm debris. "Appreciative" and "amazed" are two of the comments that we heard over and over during our many days of deployments. "Thankful beyond words" and "happy tears" were not uncommon among the people we served. Rewarding and fulfilling were the feelings that we experienced in helping these folks and assisting them with their long road to recovery. The damage to our community is extensive and working alongside these outstanding volunteers from all over the country was a blessing that goes beyond words. A special "thank you" to Pastor Jim Detweiler of Hope Church, North Haven for the use of their facilities and to Chick-Fil-A, North Haven for supplying us with a great meal on Saturday, June 23rd for the workers and the folks that we served, during that day. A special thank you goes out to our Hamden CERT members who volunteered over 100 service hours assisting the members of Samaritan's Purse. It was an honor and privilege to be part of the team from Samaritan’s Purse who have helped folks from all over the area.

Congratulations to our 24 members from Hamden CERT Class #21 who graduated on Thursday evening. Our new members completed 8 weeks of basic training that started back on September 7th. We thank you for your commitment and dedication over the last two months and look forward to having you join us in the near future!

On June 15 and 16, nine of our members supported the Hamden Middle School End of Year Celebration. Four groups of students over the 2-day period brought hundreds of students, parents, and other relatives to celebrate the occasion. With two sessions each day, our members managed hundreds of vehicles as one group of students were dismissed and the next group of vehicles entered the parking areas for the second session. We were able to provide a safe, organized transition of vehicles entering and leaving at the same time, as we also protected the hundreds of friends and family members with a safe path to and from their vehicles. We also had the pleasure of directing 33 school buses as they entered the site for the pickup of other students who were being dismissed.

On February 14, 2022 @ 19:02 hours, Hamden CERT Members activated/responded to a large, 3-story, multi-family apartment building at 42 Warner Street and participated in a multi-agency coordinated effort. Thank you again to the command staff and members of the Hamden Fire Department for their aggressive fire suppression and rescue efforts under severe conditions. This fire required the full on-duty crew of the Hamden Fire Department along with mutual aid departments during this 3-alarm fire. Hamden units were assisted at the scene by North Haven and New Haven Fire Departments, along with AMR, while many other departments provided station and town coverage. Sixty people were displaced due to the fire, including 14 children. Fire Marshal Brian Dolan said the fire began on the first floor of the building and then spread to the second floor and consumed the entire attic and roof. Hamden CERT members assisted with firefighter rehabilitation and assisted Hamden Community Services and the American Red Cross with logistical support and the relocation of the occupants who were not able to return to their apartments. CERT Members also dispersed over 300 pounds of ice melt to help with the heavy accumulation of ice in an attempt to mitigate the dangerous footing conditions throughout the fire scene. Thank you to the members of all agencies that were involved in this major incident.

Hamden CERT was activated on June 28 for firefighter rehabilitation services, assisting the Hamden Fire Department at a structure fire on Central Avenue. The fire displaced a family of 3 as the fire that started with a solar panel extended into the attic. Due to high heat and humidity, CERT provided hydration & cooling towels to the firefighters and assisted the displaced individuals until the arrival of the Red Cross.

We had one of the largest crowds that we have seen in years for the Town of Hamden’s 4th of July celebration, which also commemorated Hamden’s 240th. We had plenty of food, music, and fun for the hundreds of patrons who came out for this great wvwnr. Thanks to our 24 Hamden CERT members 💚 who came out to serve our community on one of our busiest nights of the summer! Thanks also to our Hamden Public Works & Parks Department’s Crews who cleaned up the park to look like nothing ever took place! Also, a special thanks to our emergency service partners, Hamden Police and AMR.

Thank you to our Hamden CERT volunteers who gave up a good part of their weekend supporting the Hamden Road Race & Festival. Our members started on Friday evening, helping to set up the track & prepare the entry points and parking area. It was an early start (06:00 hrs.) on Saturday morning to be ready for the many runners who entered the park to warm up and prepare for their events. In the middle of all of the activities around noon time, we also helped Hamden Fire Department with 4 medical emergencies, all at the same time! We truly appreciate our members who worked beyond a regular 8-hour day, under a hot, sunny sky & got by on a few bottles of water, a bagel & some cookies. A total of 132 service hours over the two days is something that our members and community can be proud of!

Hamden CERT volunteers were activated on May 21 for another emergency at a structure fire at 660 Mix Avenue. The incident happened a little after noon at a 6-story, non-fireproof, residential apartment building. All Hamden Fire apparatus and personnel were on scene for close to 3 hours because of the many interior exposure concerns that required extensive overhaul operations. With this being our 2nd multiple alarm fire in the last 3 days, we thank our mutual aid partners from all surrounding towns along with our Hamden Police. We also would like to thank the multiple AMR Units that were on scene to assist with the many individuals who were temporarily displaced during the fire suppression operations. Both Hamden CERT units were on scene to assist with firefighter rehabilitation and offer temporary sheltering needs for those who were displaced. Hamden CERT units returned to service shortly after 15:30 hours.

On Tuesday evening, May 19th, Hamden Fire responded to multiple 911 calls for a residential structure fire on Winnett Street. On arrival of Engine 2, heavy fire was reported on the 1st and 2nd floors of the structure. A 2nd Alarm was soon requested for heavy fire with exposure concerns. Hamden CERT responded and set up a Rehab Station and assisted with air bottles for the many firefighters because of the elevated temperatures and humidity. Thank you to the many mutual aid departments who responded to this 3-alarm Fire along with Hamden Police & American Medical Response who covered medical calls throughout the town and assisted at the scene. Hamden CERT cleared the scene at 12:30 hours and returned to Station 2 for supplies.

On May 16 and under clear, blue skies, fifteen of our Hamden CERT members gave up part of their weekend to help with our spring-cleaning session. Our members prepared both of our vehicles for the upcoming busy summer season of planned events. All of our winter equipment was replaced with summer supplies and equipment as we finally started to get warmer days and evenings. Both vehicles were cleaned inside and out and we are now ready to respond to any emergency or special event.