White House Author

Matt Brisbois is the Life Safety Specialist responsible for the CERT Program and its volunteers for the City of Newport Beach, CA. Since taking leadership of this program in 2006, Matt has trained and mentored over 1000 residents, business and community leaders and educators. A core group of committed volunteers saw an opportunity to take this program to the next level through active engagement of volunteers on a recurring basis to support a disaster scenario. With Matt’s assistance, this core group took the initiative to step into leadership roles and develop events, programs and training opportunities that resulted in stronger, more resilient and adaptive volunteers who now feel empowered to affect change throughout the city. The Newport Beach CERT Volunteer Board of Directors now manages a number of programs, community events and specialized initiatives that support volunteers citywide in their preparedness efforts.