Meet A Mavericks Team Lead
By Sgt. Jeff McCaskill-WCSO PIO

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, and it is comprised of Washoe County community members trained in disaster preparedness and response. No prior experience is necessary to become a CERT volunteer and all training is provided.

Having been a volunteer for 17 years, one of the most tenured CERT volunteers is Barbara Caria. From a young age Barbara had a desire to serve her community and was involved in Police Explorer groups. As an adult, she attended the Sparks Police Citizen’s Academy and shortly after discovered the WCSO Citizen Corps Program (CCP), and we are glad she did!

Barbara is currently a team lead for the ‘Mavericks’ and shares the knowledge she’s gained with others on her team. Barbara says the best part of CERT is giving back to the community and working with the other volunteers.

In addition to CERT, Barbara has served on the WCSO Homeland Security Council and for more than 10 years, and volunteers once a week (on her day off) in the WCSO Crime Lab.

When Barbara isn’t working hard serving her community, she enjoys spending time enjoying Northern Nevada with her husband of 20 years, her daughter and three grandchildren.

Thanks for all you do Barbara, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office appreciates you and all the Citizen Corps Program members for their great work and dedication to our residents!

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If you would like to learn more about the WCSO CERT program and how you can help your community, click here.