Since September 2013 Mr. Brownlee has volunteered with CERV (Community Emergency Response Volunteers) of the Monterey Peninsula, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support CERT programs and promote PERT (Personal Emergency Response Training).

In 2016 Mr. Brownlee was elected to the Board of Directors from his previous position as Advisory Board member. CERV is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff that works cooperatively with Fire Departments, Neighborhood Associations, City Managers, CERT programs and residents to build community preparedness and resilience along the Monterey Peninsula and throughout Monterey County.

Over the course of his time with CERV Sean helped organize and carry out CERV’s strategic planning process. Working with CERV’s board of directors, advisory board and other community leaders, the organization has led the nation in emergency preparedness and response throughout several natural disasters and the Coronavirus pandemic.

In 2018, Sean Brownlee helped organize a working group collaboration between AAA, CERV, OES and AFN to create and distribute 5,000 backpacks to organizations representing people with disabilities and access and functional needs throughout Monterey County.

In 2019 Sean applied for and won a grant from Pacific Gas and Electric, managed the grant and distributed funding for generator acquisition for individuals and groups impacted by power outages and numerous fires throughout the region.

In 2020 he helped manage over one million dollars in grants from the state of California to assist with several campaigns. These include: 1. Raising $50,000 for basic needs of women during the pandemic for food, rent, utilities and basic needs, 2. Identifying and managing 15 other non-profits as sub-grantees for pandemic support to provide basic relief needs for the most vulnerable populations throughout the state of California, 3. Raising $21,000 for homeless women living in their cars, 4. Distributing 2,000 masks in county nursing homes through the Alliance on aging, 5. Documenting progress for a multitude of non-profits throughout California for pandemic relief. 6. Worked diligently with the activation of the Recovers program and assisted families and businesses impacted by the River Fire, Carmel Fire and Dolan Fire.

Sean continues to lead efforts to grow CERV’s reach and ability to scale relief efforts throughout Monterey County and the state of California through promoting partnerships with county and state agencies, non-profits, government entities and businesses. Additionally, he manages online social media platforms to connect to an audience of over 25,000 volunteers that continues to grow.