11/12/2025
DISASTER RELIEF CERT FACES A RISK OF LOSING ITS NAME AND IDENTITY.
We require your IMMEDIATE HELP.
We have been made aware that there is another "volunteer organization" that has not only registered the Descriptive Phrase "Community Emergency Response Team" as a business name but has also Trademarked the Descriptive Phrase and the Acronym "CERT" for their own purposes.
As a result of this, we are now under threat and have been ordered to cease and desist in using our current name and brand.
We urgently require funds to legally contest, challenge, and combat this intentional effort to undermine and discredit our organization. Any contributions made can be recovered as a tax-deductible expense on your upcoming SARS Tax Submission. Be aware that restrictions might apply.
We request everyone to help us, individuals and business alike. Those who are willing to donate or sponsor us may deposit directly into our banking account.
Bank Name : FNB
Branch : CRADLESTONE MALL
Account Number : 62851436826
Branch Number : 210636
Feel free to verify our account details by visiting our webpage www.disasterreliefcert.org.za
Time is crucial.
Chad Mileham
Director
Disaster Relief CERT NPC
(Community Emergency Response Teams Volunteer Network)
Reg. No. 2020/168321/07 PBO No. 930069215
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Background
I serve as one of three directors for an NGO called Disaster Relief CERT, which some might not be aware of CERT is the widely used abbreviation for the descriptive phrase "Community Emergency Response Team."
As Disaster Relief CERT, we incorporate the Descriptive Phrase into our logo and branding since it conveys the overall idea of CERT. What many are unaware of is that this CERT program or concept originated in the 1980s, as explained below.
Understanding the history below is crucial, as I originally established the NGO as *EmComm Assist CERT* in October/November 2017 as a Community-Based Organisation, but registered it as a Non-Profit Company (NPC) in 2020.
In 2022, we changed the NPC's name to *Disaster Relief CERT*. We are additionally a SARS Approved Section 18(A) Public Benefit Organisation which allows us to issue Receipts for donations received that may be claimed back as a taxable expense.
As a non-governmental organization, our sole and principal object is "PREPARING VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE DISASTER RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE" and includes:
a. To Establish Volunteer "Community Emergency Response Teams" (CERT)
b. To Train CERT Volunteers to provide Disaster Relief and Assistance to their local communities;
c. To Create Disaster Awareness within Local Communities for the need to prepare for Disaster, and on the importance of providing Disaster Relief;
Allow me to explain the current situation to justify our appeal for urgent assistance.
Following 8 years of activity, enlisting 95 Volunteers, delivering several hundred hours of podcasts, and connecting with thousands of Social Media users on topics including:*
"The EmComm Radio Network"
"Disaster Relief CERT - An Introduction As To Who We Are"
"The Disaster Relief CERT - Earthquake Discussion"
"The Role of Social Media Before, During, and After a Disaster"
"The Ultimate Disaster - WAR"
"Administrator and Dispatcher Training"
"Unpacking the SAHRC Final Report on Gauteng and KZN July 2021 Unrest"
"Demonstration on why WhatsApp Advanced Chat Privacy Does Not Protect the posts made by group members"
"Missing Persons Discussion -Pros and Cons"
which is why we are under threat due to these cease and desist notification to stop using our current name and brand.
Therefore we are in dire need of sponsorship and donations, firstly to be able to find a way to fight the registration of the Trademark which in our opinion is not valid, but also to secure the overall use of the common use of "Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
I now ask everyone to please reach out and assist with donations no matter how small, and also to reach out to companies and business to donate and or sponsor our efforts as well.
HISTORICAL PROGRAMME BACKROUND.
During the research phase of forming the EmComm Assist Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, an interesting document published on the Official website of the Department of Homeland Security (https://www.ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team) emerged and quite clearly explained the concept and importance of CERT as a whole.
The CERT concept was first developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.
Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training. FEMA supports CERT by conducting or sponsoring Train-the-Trainer and Program Manager courses for members of the fire, medical and emergency management community.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.
Since 1993, CERT has impacted communities across the country, building essentials skills and capabilities to prepare for and respond to any disaster. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories; each unique to its community but all essential to building a Culture of Preparedness.
The CERT program was designed as a grassroots initiative and specifically structured so that the local and state program managers have the flexibility to form their programs in the way that best suits their communities. CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as well. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide, with more than 600,000 individuals trained since CERT became a national program.
FEMAs Community Emergency Response Team Program trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Through hands-on practice and realistic exercises, CERT members:
1. Learn how to safely respond to manmade and natural hazards
2. Help organize basic disaster response
3. Promote preparedness by hosting and participating in community events
The formation of the CERT programme mentioned above followed the visit by a group of Los Angeles City Officials who intended to study Japans extensive earthquake preparedness plans and encountered a society that had taken steps to train entire communities.
In South Africa a similar approach has been seen in recent years firstly in terms of Chapter7 of the Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002) which reads:-
58 (1) A metropolitan or a district municipality may establish a unit of volunteers to participate in disaster management in the municipality.
and in particular 58 (6):
This section does not preclude-
(a) a municipality from calling on persons who are not members of a unit of volunteers to assist the municipality in dealing with a disaster;
or
(b) any number of persons from taking reasonable steps to deal with a disaster in an appropriate manner until a municipality takes responsibility for that disaster, and, where appropriate, to continue dealing with the disaster under the control of the municipality.
Preparing Volunteers to Provide Disaster Relief and Assistance to Communities.
