Do you have an interest in weather? Would you like to be able to help your local National Weather Service (NWS) office by providing the ground truth on the atmosphere that we observe from radar, satellites, and various reporting stations? If so, consider attending the SKYWARN® program Basic course.
In this course, NWS personnel train attendees to recognize features associated with developing, mature, and dissipating thunderstorms that cause hazardous weather such as lightning, flooding, hail, tornadoes, and downbursts. The attendees will also learn basics about winter weather and tropical hazards.
At the end of the course, graduates will be assigned a SKYWARN® spotter number which will be maintained in the official database at the NWS in Sterling. They will also be directed how to report this vital weather information. Those who have attended in the past but want a refresher, are welcome to attend again.
This SKYWARN® Spotter Class is offered free of charge from the combined efforts of the local NWS Forecast Office and Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. A National Weather Service meteorologist will teach the class and provide related materials.
Registration is required to attend the class. Please click here to register.
Thursday, April 4, 2019 1830-2030 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
On Sunday, March 10,
11 Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT)
members served as City Parade Marshals for the 7th annual Annapolis
St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
As City Parade
Marshals, AAACERT members serve as the city’s eyes and ears,
helping authorities to keep the event safe by ensuring crowds stay
clear of the parade elements, and participants engage safely. Not
content to be mere safety spotters, many AAACERT members also sported
first aid kits, standing ready to step in with immediate assistance
if needed.
Parades serve as excellent opportunities for AAACERT members to practice their crowd management, emergency communication, and incident response training. AAACERT is the only volunteer group that is certified by the City of Annapolis to work as parade marshals.
From ToxicTidbits a monthly publication of Maryland Poison Control Center, University of Maryland.
You are standing near a sewer line and smell rotten eggs. You are helping to resuscitate a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest and smell bitter almonds.
What is that odor?
Volatilized chemicals that humans and animals perceive by the sense of smell (olfaction) cause odors. Some odors are pleasant while others are unpleasant or even repulsive. An odor can serve as a warning of potential danger. In medicine, recognizing odors is an important skill. It can aid in rapid diagnosis, guide laboratory evaluation and may allow for early treatment before the development of more serious clinical signs … READ THE ARTICLE.
Good evening. If you are checking into the net or have checked into the net the QSL below is what you will receive. I expect to mail the cards out around 05 July. Cards will be sent to the address as it is shown on QRZ. If you have different USMail address that you want use, email me by using the Contact Us form.
AAACERT Amateur Radio Inaugural Net QSL.
We would like to thank Hal & Sue of CheapQSLs for their help with the design and printing of the cards and for the many revisions that we went through. I can’t thank them enough for their help.
On the fourth weekend of June, more than 40,000 amateur radio operators (hams) throughout North America set up temporary transmitting with their clubs, groups, friends or individually to operate from remote locations. The purpose is to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio.
Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest
and, most of all, FUN!
It is a time where many aspects of Amateur Radio come together to highlight our roles. While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the organizations that Amateur Radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.
The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.
Amateur Radio operators use these same skills when they help with events such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walka-thons;
celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums — these are all large, preplanned, non-emergency activities.
But despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems — or maybe because they ARE so complex — ham radio has been called into action, again and again, to provide communications in crises when it really matters. Amateur Radio people (also called “hams”) are well known for our communications support in a real disaster and post-disaster situations such as recently deployed after the devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico.
Where to find local Field Day Activities in Anne Arundel County
Davidsonville, MD
Davidsonville Family Recreation Center
3789 Queen Anne Bridge Road
Davidsonville, MD 21035
Contact: Keith Miller, AE3D
Talk-In: 147.105+/107.2 www.W3VPR.org
Program Designed to Ease Evacuation in Areas Subject to Tidal Floods, Surge
REISTERSTOWN, Md. (June 14, 2018) — With the record-setting 2017 hurricane season still fresh in most American’s minds, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in conjunction with local emergency managers, is rolling out a new hurricane and severe weather evacuation system as a result of the Maryland hurricane evacuation study which concluded earlier this year. The study identified 3 large areas in Maryland subject to tidal flooding. Know Your Zone aims to bring awareness of the evacuation zones to the forefront of Marylanders’ summer plans and make evacuation notices easier to disseminate.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently released its forecast for the upcoming season and predicted near- to above-normal activity. However, it only takes one storm hitting the mid-Atlantic area to seriously affect Maryland.
“As experts are forecasting an active Hurricane season this year, I strongly encourage all Marylanders to be proactive, prepared, and to Know Your Zone,” said Governor Hogan. “We are all too familiar with the devastating impacts of severe weather and flooding, so remain vigilant, spread the word to your friends, family, neighbors and let them know about the importance of this potentially life-saving initiative.”
Residents of and visitors to Maryland are encouraged to visit the new interactive Know Your Zone web page, www.KnowYourZoneMd.com, where they can learn more about the project. On that page, you can type in an address and quickly find out what zone, if any, the property is located in.
The first year of the program will encourage Maryland residents to know the evacuation zone of their residence, business or vacation site. The zones are designated by letters A, B and C.
Zone A areas are the most likely to be impacted by severe flooding in the event of a major storm or hurricane. In future years, the program will focus on refining evacuation routes away from the affected areas. “Proper and timely messaging for evacuations saves lives,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “This new system is designed to make it easier for local emergency managers to evacuate areas by encouraging Marylanders to Know Your Zone before a storm hits.”
The three evacuation zones only affect areas subject to tidal flooding or storm surge – communities at or near the Atlantic Ocean, the Coastal Bays, and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. That covers 16 Maryland counties along with Annapolis, Baltimore City and Ocean City.
“Hurricane Sandy in 2012 was a wake-up call for the mid-Atlantic region; it could have been Maryland,” said Strickland. “Working with local and federal partners, and using technology that until recently was not available, we studied updated flooding and surge patterns caused by more powerful storms to develop these new evacuation plans.”
If local officials feel an evacuation is needed to protect lives, they will issue the order by zones instead of having to define specific geographic areas. This program is similar to one rolled out last year in neighboring Virginia.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricanes can cause strong winds, heavy rain, inland flooding and other severe weather, but residents in Maryland can be prepared by ensuring they know how to receive a warning, have a plan, practice safety tips and know their evacuation zone.
It is important to remember Maryland can see hurricanes and impacts from a storm hundreds of miles away. Hurricanes can produce 150-plus miles per hour winds, tornadoes and tremendous flooding from both tidal surges as well as torrential rain
Residents can also take the following actions to remain safe:
Build an emergency supply kit and develop a family emergency and communications plan.
Stay tuned to trusted sources such as the National Weather Service and local broadcasters for official weather information.
Follow instructions and advice given by emergency officials, especially instructions related to evacuation.
During severe weather, stay indoors away from windows, close all interior doors, and brace external doors. If you live near the shore or coast, expect the storm tide will inundate your home.
Monitor NWS flood warnings for your area and be prepared to seek higher ground. Flooding is often our biggest threat.
Fill a bathtub or other large container with water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets.
Charge electronic devices before bad weather hits and consider keeping a charger in your car.
AAACERT will host it’s first amateur radio net this Tuesday, 19 June at 1930. ALL amateur radio operators are invited to check in.
To commemorate this special occasion, AAACERT has designed a special QSL card and US Postage stamp for the inaugural event. This is a limited edition of both the QSL and the US Postage stamp ONLY for those who check in on Tuesday. The special QSL cards will be mailed within two weeks after the net.
We expect there will be numerous check-ins so please be patient during the check-in and follow the Net Control Operator (NCO) instructions. This will be a directed net.
Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis has joined the growing list of communities participating in a project to help save lives of sudden cardiac arrest. The PulsePoint app (available for Apple and Android devices) alerts CPR trained individuals who are nearby allowing CPR to begin before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
If you are interested in CPR training information is available at www.aacounty.org/cpr.
AAACERT Instructors awarded Certificates of Completion for the Basic CERT class to thirteen individuals on Saturday, 09 June.
AAACERT Basic CERT Class, 2018 June 09, Class 2018-02.
The graduating Basic CERT class received instruction in disasters, incident command structure, disaster medical operations, use of fire extinguishers, psychological aspects of disasters, search and rescue and other topics intended to teach the students what to do in case of a disaster or other emergency.
Moulaged “patient” for the AAACERT Basic CERT disaster drill.
Volunteer victims were moulaged, made up to appear to have injuries, as part of the classes final disaster drill. The volunteers then were spread about the area hidden in various locations and the class members were required to find, triage (sort the victims according to their injuries) and move them to a central collection point. Anne Arundel County Police the arrived on the scene where the student acting as the Incident Commander gave report.
Congratulations to all who attended and thank you to all of the volunteers and instructors. Special thanks to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department for the use of classrooms and the “yard” and to Anne Arundel County Police for participating in the final exercise!
Volunteers are needed to role-play as victims for the 2018 CERTCON. We could use your help!
2018 CERTCON Mass Casualty Incident Field Exercise
2018 CERTCON, the Mid-Atlantic conference for Community Emergency Response Teams, is conducting mass casualty emergency preparedness exercises. These exercises enable our teams to practice responding to large scale emergencies.
We are asking for volunteers to play the role of residents who are victims of a natural disaster. Mock victims will be able to choose their level of injury. We need all types of roles from highly dramatic with little trauma to highly traumatic with little drama. Some volunteers may choose to play entirely non-moulaged victims such as family members, worried well, and psychologically injured patients. All roles are vital in making the scenario as realistic as possible for the responders.
A variety of Moulage (simulated casualty makeup) will be applied by Moulage Technicians. Victims will be briefed on the scenario, safety information, and basic acting skills and then placed in the simulated cityscape or in the high rise building. First responders will assess, triage (level of injury/severity will be rated) and simulate lifesaving treatment. Victims will be moved to a casualty collection point for procedural treatment and then transport to hospitals will be simulated.
Because of the graphic nature of this event, we limit victims to age 14 and above and minors will be required to have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. Montgomery County Public School SSL hours will be honored, and forms will be available. This is a secured location and a state-issued ID is required. A change of clothes is recommended.
Moulage application (makeup applied to simulate injuries)
Role player briefing will be conducted to explain the scenario situation in greater detail, safety procedures, and what actions will be expected of the mock victims
Actor/role players will interface with emergency responders – they will be assessed, triaged, and simulated treatment will occur
Hospital transport will be simulated – emergency vehicle transport to actual hospitals will not occur
A hot wash/debriefing (evaluation of the exercise) will be conducted
Actor/role players will complete a Participant Feedback Form based on the experience
Volunteer check-out
Further details will be emailed to those who have registered.
Three law enforcement officers in Georgia were hospitalized in May after being exposed to toxic fumes at the scene of a possible chemical suicide. Chemical suicides involve people mixing easily-attainable chemicals to produce a toxic gas, which can kill rather quickly. Often this is done in an enclosed space such as a car; occasionally people use “exit bags”: plastic bags placed over the head, connected to a gas supply. Instructions are, unfortunately, readily available on the internet.
In many but not all chemical suicide incidents, the victim leaves a written warning for whomever will find them. Typically, the first instinct when faced with an unconscious person in a car is to open a door or break a window; in a home or hotel, rushing in after gaining access is also the norm. Though well intended, these actions also endanger first responders or anyone else attempting to render aid.
It is important to gain situational awareness and take time to perform a quick evaluation of the scene for responder safety — even if time is critical:
Look for signs taped to doors or windows warning of any danger.
Look in the windows for chemical containers or chemical fog.
Take notice of any faint chemical odors.
Look for tape sealing the edges of doors, windows or vents.
The Montgomery County (Maryland) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is sponsoring the annual CERT conference in the National Capital Region. The conference will provide education and hands-on training to CERTs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The CERTCON 2018 theme is “Learning For Life” and is the foundational concept for this year’s classes, lectures, workshops and training exercises.
A ticket is required for each day of the conference. There will be 2 separate registrations due to 2 different locations.
Day 1: Saturday, June 23, 2018- Montgomery College- Germantown Campus
The event begins Saturday June 23, 2018 at 0900 at the Montgomery College campus in Germantown. Doors open at 0800. There will be plenty of free parking available on campus. Saturday’s schedule will include breakout sessions on topics ranging from COOP Planning for small businesses to water safety. There will also be panel discussions and interactive exercises. An follow up email with full event details, maps, schedules and more will be sent in June. We expect Saturday’s event to run until approximately 1630.
Day 2: Sunday, June 24, 2018- Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy
CERTCON 2018 moves to the new Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy for a day of apparatus displays, hands on breakout training, and a hyper-realistic field training exercise (FTX), designed to test CERT skills and teamwork held in the facility’s “high bay” three-story indoor cityscape. Doors open at 0830, and the event begins at 0900. We expect CERTCON 2018 to wrap up about 1500. There is plenty of free parking at the academy. State ID required for entry to the PSTA.
Instructor John Schirrippa teaching Basic CERT module one.
AAACERT Late Spring Basic CERT underway at the Anne Arundel Fire Department (AAFD) Academy in Millersville. This is the second of three class that will be held in 2018. Basic CERT classes are approximately 21 hours and students learn the essentials of emergency preparedness to assist in disasters and emergencies.
Basic CERT class members are being instructed by members of Bowie VFD, Mobile Learning Lab to use a fire extinguisher.
Learning about fire and how to extinguish small fires is part of the Basic CERT class. Bowie VFD graciously taught class members using their Mobile Learning Lab. The mobile lab allows trainees to train using environmentally safe materials. The simulator uses propane to create the fire. Water is sprayed into a specially designed fire container and when properly applied the fire is extinguished. AAACERT would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Bowie VFD and voice our appreciation.
Instructor Pablo Gonzalez teaching MedOps to Basic CERT class 2018-02.
Medical emergencies and injuries occur during disasters and CERT members have to be prepared. Instructor Pablo Gonzalez teaches CERT students how to perform triage and treat the injured. This is one of the sections of the class encompassing two modules and having 5.5 hours dedicated to the topic.
AAACERT Basic CERT Class, 2018-02, Instructor Bruce Morgenstern teaching carrying techniques during the Search module.
Following Medical Operations, Instructor Bruce Morgenstern teaches the students how to move patients during the Search module. Students also learn how to conduct basic searches and to mark buildings after being searched.
If you are interested in taking a Basic CERT class or interested in becoming a member of AAACERT, you may use the Contact Us form.
Anne Arundel – Annapolis CERT was one of 75 grant recipients the Emergency Response and Safety Grants sponsored by BGE. The 2018 grants totaled $310,000 for the 75 agencies and organizations.
AAACERT received a grant for $3,000 to purchase traffic management safety equipment. AAACERT, a volunteer non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, assists Anne Arundel County, Annapolis City and non-profits by providing assistance with traffic, parking and parades. The grant partially funded the purchase of safety vests, safety gloves and flashlights. AAACERT’s traffic training is provide by the Anne Arundel County Police, Reserve Officers. Annapolis City, Office of Emergency Management provides training for Parade Marshals.
BGE’s Emergency Response and Safety Grant program, now in its sixth year, supports area nonprofits by providing strategic funding that enables the success of their emergency response and safety programs. In addition to supporting the emergency responder community in Maryland, BGE provides training for fire, police, 911 centers and emergency management organizations who routinely work around utility equipment.
I’ve seen it among my co-workers, depression and PTSD. Working in a high stress environment where one sees the worse of the worse will take it’s toll! We are not superhuman. Recognize some of the symptoms. Talking to others is NOT a sign of weakness. Many, myself included, find that talking to others that have “been here, done that, bought the t-shirt” is a great way to deal with the stress.
Additional information for first responders / first receivers can be obtained from American Addiction Centers
Depression manifests itself differently in every individual but as a whole it can affect one’s ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Symptoms of depression can include:
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
Feelings of hopelessness
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in pleasurable activities, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Sleep issues including insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Persistent aches or pains, headaches or other physical distress
FEMA Student Identification (SID) number is a unique number generated and assigned to anyone who needs or is required to take training provided by a FEMA organization (including training partners TEEX, LSU, CTOS, NMT-EMRTC, etc.). Your FEMA SID uniquely identifies you throughout the FEMA organization and all of its agencies. The goal is for your FEMA SID to serve as your personal identification number instead of your Social Security Number (SSN) in support of FEMA’s effort to decrease/cease the use of SSN for identifying and tracking individuals. REGISTER HERE for your FEMA SID.
FEMA announced a new on-line course, “Damage Assessment Operations Training” IS-1160. Many CERTs are involved with their local OEMs in providing damage assessment as part of their regular mission. Even those who aren’t may benefit from the knowledge provided in this course.
This course will equip participants to conduct damage assessment in accordance with the Damage Assessment Operations Manual: A Guide to Assessing Damage and Impact.
Course Objectives:
– Describe the relationship between damage assessment and Federal disaster assistance
– Describe roles, responsibilities, and activities during each phase of the damage assessment
– Prepare to conduct damage assessment
– Conduct damage assessment for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA)
– Evaluate damage and impact to the community
The estimated study time for this course is 8 hours. A FEMA Student ID is required for this course.
When disaster strikes, it can be a challenge to effectively mobilize, organize, and deploy resources needed to perform wide area searches. This course is an excellent training opportunity for any jurisdiction or agency that may face such an emergency. The course content applies to a vast number of critical situations, including natural disasters or terrorist incidents.
You will be instructed in practical search methods and skills so you can perform systematic searches over a large affected area. The training will include challenging exercises that mirror real-life scenarios. The three-day long event will conclude with an in-depth exercise that requires participants to utilize the skills gained during the course by working through an incident from start to finish in a single operational period.
The trainers delivering the course are knowledgeable—they are experienced emergency responders who have actively utilized wide area search techniques during some of the nation’s largest and most challenging operations, such as Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Gustav, and Rita; the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery operation; and many other incidents that required the same comprehensive strategies.
Class Date(s): 20 – 22 July 2018 (Three days)
Time: Registration @ 0730 on 20 July
Location: Anne Arundel County Fire Academy, Millersville, MD
The course is taught by experienced instructors from TEEX and paid at no cost by DHS/FEMA. However, there is a small fee of $15.00 to cover cost for snacks and drinks.
28 May 2018: Anne Arundel & Annapolis CERT members assisted the City of Annapolis with the annual Memorial Day Parade serving as Parade Marshals. The parade began on Amos Garret, proceeded down West Street, went around Church Circle and down Main Street and ended in front of the Market House. CERT Member’s duties including lining up the parade participants in proper order, ensuring parade safety, observing for hazards during the parade and assisting Annapolis PD with traffic control.
The parade included fire engines from Annapolis as well as privately owned apparatus, scouts, marching bands, dance troupes, car clubs, politicians, military veteran groups and others.
AAACERT Parade Marshals were specifically trained by the Annapolis City Office of Emergency Management.
If you are interested in learning about Anne Arundel & Annapolis CERT, Emergency – Disaster preparedness or how you may become involved with AAACERT contact us through our “Contact” page.
Anne Arundel – Annapolis CERT is pleased to announce the formation of an AAACERT Amateur Radio Net!
The net will meet monthly on the third Tuesday. The first net will take place on Tuesday, 19 June. The net will meet at 1930 on 442.3000 / 107.2. Amateurs may also check in on EchoLink node 90911.
ALL licensed amateur radio amateurs are invited to participate.
