News and Alerts

Informational articles, links, and stories.

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Oct 2024

Congratulations to the October 2024 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise was held at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD. The students had a wide range of backgrounds and experience but they all came together and got the job done UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. The group performed excellently and found most of our volunteer victims. Sorry, Rob. At least you got to read your book. 🙂 Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class in March 2025? Check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team. Please note, our 2025 class schedule is not yet released. Plus, we have some exciting changes to the timing and days of the class so be on the lookout.

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Oct 2024 Read More »

Teaching Red Cross Volunteers Fire Safety 101

Fire Safety ABCK

Did you know you should shake or turn your fire extinguishers about once per month? Yup, you should to help keep the powered inside loose. Not all fire extinguishers can put out all types of fires. That’s what the ABC designation on most home extinguishers indicate. And you have less time to use them than you might think.

All this and the opportunity to practice with a modern, digital fire extinguisher training system is available to any group or organization interested…FOR FREE.

If you’re interested, contact us at training@aaacert.org

Teaching Red Cross Volunteers Fire Safety 101 Read More »

2024 Fall CERT Class

Our last CERT class of 2024 is fast approaching. We have a few seats still available and we’d love to fill the class. CERT class is a 20-hour in-person CERT Basic Training class. Volunteer to become a trained member of your community in emergency response. The training will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6pm-9pm, Sat., September 28 from 8am-5pm, and Sun., September 29, 2024 from 8am-4pm at the Fire Training Academy in Millersville.

A disaster simulation will be held on Sunday, October 6 from 1pm-5pm at the same location. Everyone completing the course receives a nationally recognized certification and the opportunity to join Anne Arundel-Annapolis CERT as a member. This training is also great if you are or will be volunteering with other organizations such as the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, among others.

Visit https://www.aaacert.org/cert-basic-training/ for more information and for a registration link. Our next class will not be until Spring 2025.

For questions, contact training@aaacert.org.

2024 Fall CERT Class Read More »

ALX VA Newsletter July-Sept 2024

From our friends at Alexandria VA CERT.

Please keep in mind the contact information you see in this newsletter are specific to Alexandria VA unless otherwise noted. This month’s newsletter has lots of information about substance use disorders and legel/illlicit drugs.

As always, please share this important information with family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

Current and all back issues of the newsletter are in the Public folder on the Alexandria CERT document portal.

ALX VA Newsletter July-Sept 2024 Read More »

Summer 2024 AACo OEM Quarterly Newsletter

Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management Logo

From our friends at the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. Newsletter Link

Please see attached the Summer edition of The Disaster Dispatch, the quarterly newsletter of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. This issue discusses, among other things, hurricane season predictions, Key Bridge Updates, and HERricane Summer Camp details.

Please visit the Office of Emergency Management website HERE. You may also request an emergency preparedness presentation or training by clicking HERE.

As always, share the newsletter with family, friends, neighbors, and your colleagues.

Happy summer and stay cool.

Summer 2024 AACo OEM Quarterly Newsletter Read More »

Congrats CERT Basic Class of May’24

Congratulations to the May 2024 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD consisted of a full class with many speaking Spanish as a first language. This presented real-world challenges with those classmates not understanding Spanish. They all came together, found interpreters, and got the job done UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. The group performed excellently and found most of our volunteer victims. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class starting in September? Check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats CERT Basic Class of May’24 Read More »

ALX VA Newsletter Apr-Jun 2024

From our friends at Alexandria VA CERT.

Please keep in mind the contact information you see in this newsletter are specific to Alexandria VA unless otherwise noted. This month’s newsletter has lots of information for the Alexandria area but the template of what numbers to keep handy is what’s important.

The theme of the April-June has reminders on how to prepare for emergencies and disasters. And the second page is focused on Domestic Violence: information and resources for support, safety plans, and recognizing different indicators of abusive behaviors.

As always, please share this important information with family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. There are also explanations of how APD prioritizes response to emergency calls and the role of our 911 center. (You should look how your local police prioritizes responses.)

Current and all back issues of the newsletter are in the Public folder on the Alexandria CERT document portal.

ALX VA Newsletter Apr-Jun 2024 Read More »

April 2024 FEMA Preparedness Newsletter

Every month, FEMA prepares a newsletter highlighting key preparedness items for individuals and communities. AAACERT encourages everyone to sign up for this invaluable information by visiting the following link:  FEMA Preparedness Newsletter Signup

A new feature we’ll be providing to the community is sharing some of the information from these monthly newsletters. Think of it as your crib notes of sorts, but nothing can replace receiving the full information and we encourage you to sign up. All information provided will be directly from the newsletter unless otherwise stated.

 

April is National Financial Capability Month

Picking up the pieces of your life after a disaster can be challenging. One of the most important things that may help you recover faster from a disaster is increasing your financial resilience. Being financially resilient will prepare you to quickly recover from the financial impacts caused by natural disasters and unexpected emergencies.

Minnesota Train Derailment Proves Value of CERT Program

When a train derailment caused a fire in downtown Raymond, Minnesota last spring, first responders jumped into action. Despite being the middle of the night, they weren’t alone. Members of the Willmar Area Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) joined first responders to help most of the small city — about 800 people — evacuate to the town of Prinsburg.

CERTs Work to Serve More Members of the Community

In emergencies, individuals and communities depend on effective, timely information they can trust and understand. CERTs play a vital role in disaster preparedness and response by empowering ordinary citizens to assist their communities in times of need. Because CERTs are often the first line of defense when disaster strikes, ensuring they are representative of the whole community is an essential step toward improving resilience.

April 2024 FEMA Preparedness Newsletter Read More »

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Mar’24

Congratulations to the March 2024 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD consisted of only 8 class members. But they all came together to get the job done UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. It was a beautiful sunny, windy, chilly day. The group performed excellently and found all our volunteer victims. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class starting in September? Check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Mar’24 Read More »

ALX VA Newsletter Jan-Mar 2024

From our friends at Alexandria VA CERT.

Please keep in mind the contact information you see in this newsletter are specific to Alexandria VA unless otherwise noted. This month’s newsletter has lots of information for the Alexandria area but the template of what numbers to keep handy is what’s important.

The theme of the January – March is Crime prevention and reporting incidents. There are also explanations of how APD prioritizes response to emergency calls and the role of our 911 center. (You should look how your local police prioritizes responses.) As always, please share with family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

As always, share the newsletter with family, friends, neighbors, and other colleagues.

Current and all back issues of the newsletter are in the Public folder on the Alexandria CERT document portal.

ALX VA Newsletter Jan-Mar 2024 Read More »

Dec’23 AACo OEM Quarterly Newsletter

Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management Logo

From our friends at the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. Newsletter Link

Please see attached the December edition of The Disaster Dispatch, the quarterly newsletter of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. This issue discusses, among other things, hazard mitigation – reducing the impact of unavoidable disasters.

Please visit the Office of Emergency Management website HERE. You may also request an emergency preparedness presentation or training by clicking HERE.

As always, share the newsletter with family, friends, neighbors, and your colleagues.

Happy Holidays and have a safe New Years.

Dec’23 AACo OEM Quarterly Newsletter Read More »

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Oct’23

 

Congratulations to the October 2023 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD consisted of 13 class members. It was a beautiful sunny day. The group performed excellently and found all our volunteer victims. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class starting in April? Check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats CERT Basic Class of Oct’23 Read More »

ALX VA Newsletter Oct-Dec 2023

From our friends at Alexandria VA CERT.

Please keep in mind the contact information you see in this newsletter are specific to Alexandria VA unless otherwise noted.

The theme of the October – December issue is emotional aspects of disasters and helping people cope. The second page addresses emergency and disaster preparation for persons with mental health or behavioral health conditions. It also includes tips when someone has autism or dementia.

As always, share the newsletter with family, friends, neighbors, and other colleagues.

All back issues of the newsletter are in the Public folder on the Alexandria CERT document portal.

ALX VA Newsletter Oct-Dec 2023 Read More »

CERTCON 2023 | Oct 20-22 | U of DC

Yes, you read that right, CERTCON. This event is open to EVERYONE, not just CERT members. 

The National Capital Region has been hosting a CERTCON since 2011. This year marks the second year it will be hosted by the National Capital Region CERT Consortium (NCRC) in conjunction with the DC Mayor’s office and ServeDC.

Some of the topics covered (including hands-on and interactive games):

  • Be Prepared Kits and Plans for disasters such as tornados, hurricanes, floods, etc
  • Communicating during a disaster
  • Fire safety
  • FEMA Be The Help Until Help Arrives
  • Basic First Aid
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Disasterville simulation game
  • AND MORE!

If you are not a member of a CERT, here is your opportunity to see some of the things a CERT member can volunteer to take part in while giving you the opportunity to speak to CERT members from around the region.

The three links below will provide more details about the NCRC, CERTCON, along with a flyer for this event.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

CERTCON 2023 Flyer

ABOUT CERTCON

ABOUT NCRCERT

 

CERTCON 2023 | Oct 20-22 | U of DC Read More »

2023 Emergency Preparedness Expo

We hope you will come out and join AAACERT and the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management for the 2023 Emergency Preparedness Expo.

The expo will be held Saturday, September 16 from 10am-2pm at the Anne Arundel Community College Arundel Mills Campus.

This free, family-friendly event has hands-on displays, games, and activities for all ages provided by various County public safety agencies and our partners. This event is sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management as part of National Preparedness Month and is intended as a fun-filled way to learn about preparing for emergencies!

Please click HERE for FEMA’s Ready.gov 2023 Calendar.

2023 Emergency Preparedness Expo Read More »

Congrats, CERT Basic Class of May 2023!

 

Congratulations to the May 2023 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD consisted of 13 class members. It was a beautiful sunny day. The group performed excellently and found all our volunteer victims. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class starting in April, check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats, CERT Basic Class of May 2023! Read More »

Ferndale Festival 2023

Thank you to AAACERT members Joy, Bruce, DJ and, of course, our partner Jim (far left) at AACo OEM.

We want to thank everyone who visited our booth at this year’s Ferndale Festival. It was a perfect weather day, and the turnout was fantastic. We look forward to the next community-based event where we can say hello and introduce you to CERT and our organization, Anne Arundel Annapolis CERT.

Check out our website for more information about CERT and how you
“Can Be The Help Until Help Arrives.”

See our Facebook page for more pictures of AAACERT in action.

Ferndale Festival 2023 Read More »

Congrats Severn School TEEN CERT Basic Class of April 2023!

 

Congratulations to the April 2023 Teen CERT Basic training class from Severn School. What an amazing group. After two other local schools had to pull out, Severn School students stepped up and almost filled the class. The students participated in CERT training at their school before coming together for the final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD.  The class performed extremely well and found and treated all the survivors. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class, check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats Severn School TEEN CERT Basic Class of April 2023! Read More »

ALX VA Newsletter April-June 2023

From our friends at Alexandria VA CERT.

Please keep in mind the contact information you see in this newsletter are specific to Alexandria VA unless otherwise noted.

This new issue of the Alexandria CERT newsletter focuses on flooding: Flooding is one of the more costly natural disasters that can affect a community. More frequent, more intense storms in the Mid-Atlantic are
bringing heavier rainfall to storm systems that were never designed or outfitted for weather this severe.

Please share the newsletter with family, friends, neighbors, and work colleagues.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWSLETTER FOLDER

ALX VA Newsletter April-June 2023 Read More »

Congrats, CERT Basic Class of March 2023!

 

Congratulations to the March 2023 CERT Basic training class. The final exercise at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville, MD consisted of 14 class members. It was a beautiful sunny day, the calm after the storm. The group performed excellently and found all our volunteer victims. Check out our Facebook page for more photos of this and other events.

Interested in taking part in our next class starting in April, check out our WEBSITE for more details or email our TRAINING team.

Congrats, CERT Basic Class of March 2023! Read More »