C.E.R.T.

The Levy County Corrections Emergency Response Team is an elite group of 7 officers. Each has passed special physical testing and evaluation to become a member of the team. The C.E.R.T. has a Commander and Assistant Commander who direct the other team members. Several are on duty each shift of every day.

A minimum of four hours a month, specialized training for each member includes, but is not limited to, prevention and handling of the following: Fire Response, Escape prevention and Capture, Disturbance Control, Bomb Control, Evacuation Procedure, Hostage Rescue, Mass Arrest, Protest Prevention and control, Hazardous Materials, Natural Disasters, Cell Extraction and Violent Offender transport and handling. Specialized Weaponry and Defensive Tactics training is regularly provided for this group.

Violence in today's State Prisons and County Jails is a reality. We can either ignore that reality or we can develop a plan and a strategy and be "prepared" to deal with these difficult situations as they arise. Statistically 99.5% of all inmate and officer interactions are dealt with through presence and dialogue. It is the other .5% that we must also train for and be prepared to handle in a professional, responsible, and tactful manner. The men and women of the Levy County Corrections Emergency Response Team are prepared to deal with that reality.