Traffic Control and/or Crowd Management
Traffic support needed. AAACERT members, please see D4H for details and to sign up.
2024 Glen Burnie Salvation Army Food Pantry (April) Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic might be over, but food insecurity is not. Many residents of Anne Arundel County are struggling to put food on their table.
AAACERT supports a number of weekly and monthly food distribution events, and we are honored to have been asked to help the Salvation Army’s monthly food distribution in Glen Burnie.
Members of AAACERT were happy to help keep patrons of this food distribution safe as we managed traffic and parking for this park-and-walk-up event.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining AAACERT or interested in how to keep you and your family and neighbors safe during a disaster, please consider taking the FEMA CERT course.
AAACERT Supports Salvation Army Read More »
One of the more active list of events AAACERT members support are the many parades in the City of Annapolis. On Sunday, March 17, 11 AAACERT members served as City Parade Marshals for the 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.
2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Read More »
AAACERT members Roy Dunning and Bruce Morgenstern helped to direct traffic in the parking lot of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in Crownsville, MD on May 3, 2023. This was a special occasion as County Executive Steuart Pittman signed Executive Order No. 60 to establish the Anne Arundel County Food Council.
Creation of the New Food Council Read More »
AAACERT was very proud to provide traffic and parking support to the City of Annapolis during the historic Elktonia Carr’s Beach Signing Ceremony.
The following snippet is from the Chesapeake Conservancy website at: https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/elktonia-beach/
Elktonia Beach, a 5-acre waterfront parcel on the Chesapeake Bay, is the last remnant of the original 180-acre property purchased by Fred Carr in 1902. Carr’s and Sparrow’s Beaches were privately-owned and operated by Fred Carr’s daughters, Elizabeth Carr Smith and Florence Carr Sparrow. The “Beaches” (1930s-1970s), as they were called, represented the heart of entertainment throughout the mid-Atlantic region and welcomed Blacks during a time of segregation.
Elktonia Carr’s Beach Signing Ceremony Read More »
On June 2, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank realized they needed help with an expected rush of vehicles coming to pick up diapers. Their first call, AAACERT.
Without hesitation, AAACERT president Bruce Morgenstern made a few calls and arrived on scene with two other AAACERT volunteers.
Traffic vests on and radios charged, they handled the rush with smiles abound. Bruce even got in some practice with the pallet jacks. Please follow AACFB on Facebook, subscribe to their newsletter and consider a donation. They do wonderful work year-round. The volume of food and supplies that come in and out of their warehouse is truly mind boggling.
Last Minute Request, No Problem! Read More »
AAACERT is proud to have been recognized in the FEMA CERT/ICPS newsletter for April 2022. Our work last year at the Russett Community Cleanup Day for Earth Day was our first but not our last event with the Russett Community. We’ll continue again this year and expand to help with other events the community has planned.
A special thanks to Rick and Anne for helping last year and for signing up to help this year.
You can read the full story on FEMA’s site by clicking THIS LINK.
AAACERT Makes FEMA News Read More »
AAACERT doesn’t just help around Anne Arundel County. In January, PG Co requested support through AA Co OEM for traffic control at the UM Laurel Hospital Center. COVID-19 testing had begun and the turnout was fantastic. Members of AAACERT happily provided traffic trained members over the course of a few days while the MD National Guard organized their troops.
Traffic Control is just one of the many skills you can learn when you are a member of AAACERT. Click HERE to learn more and sign up for our next CERT Basic class.
Anne Arundel-Annapolis CERT is an all-volunteer non-profit. As volunteers, we rely on donations to continue our efforts. Please consider a donation so we can continue supporting communities around Anne Arundel County. It’s easy to provide support through PayPal and/or by signing up for Amazon Smile.
Helping Our Neighboring Counties Read More »
Volunteer members of AAACERT continues supporting food distributions around the county. Here, AAACERT helps to organize vehicles at Quarterfield Elementary a few days prior to Thanksgiving.
Traffic Control is just one of the many skills you can learn when you are a member of AAACERT. Click HERE to learn more and sign up for our next CERT Basic class.
Anne Arundel-Annapolis CERT is an all-volunteer non-profit. As volunteers, we rely on donations to continue our efforts. Please consider a donation so we can continue supporting communities around Anne Arundel County. It’s easy to provide support through PayPal and/or by signing up for Amazon Smile.
Still Lending a Helping Hand Read More »
2021 Russett Community Fall Festival Read More »
Members of AAACERT where happy to assist the Russett Community Association by directing traffic to the community dumpster during the Russett Community Cleanup Day. The dumpster was located in the back of the community center parking lot with lots of community volunteers walking around picking up trash. AAACERT members posted at three locations to help direct cars and people.
Not everyone was there for cleanup day. Some needed to visit the library while others simply wanted to play some tennis. Our presence helps to free up association members and volunteers so they can focus on the event. AAACERT members are specially trained to manage traffic and pedestrians.
We look forward to helping helping with many more community events as organizations and communities begin to open up from COVID lockdowns.
Interested in volunteering or need similar help with your community event? Visit our WEBSITE to find out more.
Dumpster To The Left, Please Watch For Pedestrians Read More »
Do they see me? Did they hear my command to stop? You should never assume the answer to these questions is YES. One of the more common tasks members of AAACERT participate in is traffic control. A group of AAACERT members underwent training on April 11, 2021, at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold. President Bruce Morgenstern and Coordinator Joe Dorffner served as instructors. Before the practical exercise, members attended a 1-hour virtual class. Traffic control is just one of many volunteer opportunities available to AAACERT members during every season each year. To find out more visit www.aaacert.org.
Please Continue Turning Left Read More »
Seniors in the Shady Side, MD area are excited to finally get the call to come and receive their COVID-19 vaccination shot. With limited parking at the Lula Scott Head Start Center, many visitors need to park across the street. Walking across a busy two-lane road can be dangerous especially since some drivers do not always follow traffic signs including speed limits.
In steps volunteer members from the Anne Arundel – Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT). With no designated crosswalks and the need to park across the street seniors are thankful the AAACERT volunteers are there to stop traffic and provide them a safe time to cross. The AAACERT members are also there to help direct traffic within the small parking lot and provide extra support into the building, if needed.
Traffic control is just one of many community needs being filled by members of AAACERT. There are many ways you can help support AAACERT, perhaps consider a donation (see link below). Beyond donations, you can also join and learn the skills needed to help yourself, your family, and your community during an emergency.
https://www.aaacert.org/donate
https://aaacert.org/why-join/
For more information on COVID-19 vaccination including sites and how to sign up, please click this link to visit the Anne Arundel County Health Department.
Always Look Both Ways, Twice Read More »
Team Rubicon has come to help backfill at a critical junction, literally. Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (MD VOAD) members, Anne Arundel – Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) and Team Rubicon have teamed up to support pedestrian and traffic safety at the Maryland Live! Casino vaccination site in Hanover, Anne Arundel County.
With AAACERT’s resources stretched thin helping across the county, Anne Arundel County OEM reached out to MD VOAD via MEMA for additional support, and Team Rubicon stepped up. After a one-day orientation and transition, Team Rubicon has taken a primary role, with AAACERT supporting as needed. Helping for the greater good. Isn’t that what’s it’s all about?
Thank You, Team Rubicon! Read More »
Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) provided traffic support to honor and assist the Anne Arundel Fire Training Academy’s graduation of Recruit Class #60. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the graduating class was unable to hold their ceremony safely indoors. AAACERT members stepped up to facilitate the outdoor ceremony, helping to park around 100 cars on the Training Academy Yard and directing the recruits’ proud family members, in vehicles, to the stage area for pictures and cheers for their new firefighter. AAACERT volunteer members supported this important logistical task so that fire department personnel were available to participate in the recruits’ graduation ceremony.
Congratulations To Firefighter Recruit Class #60 Read More »
Members of the Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) underwent Traffic Control training on Oct. 9, at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold. President Bruce Morgenstern and Coordinator Joe Dorffner served as instructors. Before the practical exercise, members attended a 1-hour virtual class. AAACERT members routinely perform traffic control at many sites around the County, both for special events, and particularly now for COVID-19-related emergency management tasks. Traffic control is just one of many volunteer opportunities available to AAACERT members during every season each year. To find out more visit www.aaacert.org.
Members Take Traffic Training Read More »
The Anne Arundel – Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT), during the current COVID-19 situation, has been assisting the the Anne Arundel Office of Emergency Management in numerous positions. AAACERT trained members have been helping as Call Takers in the Emergency Operations Center, as well as helping assist the County Virtual Volunteer Mobilization Center (VVMC). Starting on the 30th of March, AAACERT trained members will also be assisting at the proposed County Goods Donation Warehouse, working with the County Police doing traffic control.
AAACERT trains volunteers in disaster response skills and emergency preparedness. AAACERT volunteers assist others in our community following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. When activated under the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, or the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, AAACERT supports emergency response agencies.
AAACERT Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Read More »
Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) members supported the annual Preparedness Expo on Sept. 21 at Marley Station in Glen Burnie. Arriving by 6:30 a.m. for the operational briefing, CERT members then took their stations to participate in traffic control, assisting vendors with set-up, directing vehicles within the perimeter, and helping to provide extra eyes and ears for general safety. Most of the CERT members stayed to work the entire event, including teardown, which concluded around 3:00 p.m.
The Preparedness Expo is a yearly event hosted by the Anne Arundel Office of Emergency Management to familiarize the public with the many functions and activities of the response community. At the 2019 Expo, more than 45 participating organizations provided displays of their skills, literature, gifts, and personal representatives to help individuals and families learn how to be ready for disasters and incidents. Exhibitors invited children to climb into vehicles to see the dashboards; animal handlers gave demonstrations of canine aptitude; and fire personnel gave live demonstrations of safety or extinguishing practice.
“You just don’t realize everything these [responders] do every day,” remarked one visitor in passing, “and we are so blessed to have them in our community.” She added her thanks to responders for their availability, time, and training.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security designates every September as National Preparedness Month. Visit the agency’s website to find numerous resources aimed at helping families be ready for any emergency or disaster they might face.
AAACERT trains volunteers in disaster response skills and emergency preparedness. AAACERT volunteers assist others in our community following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. When activated under the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, or the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, AAACERT supports emergency response agencies.
Members Assist Responders at Preparedness Expo Read More »
On Sunday, June 16, nine Anne Arundel – Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) members volunteered at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County Walk for the Animals at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.
Mark, Karen, and Dudley Demyanovich (pictured above) “manned” the booth at the Vendor Village while the rest of the team (including Mark) directed almost 1,000 vehicles through Quiet Waters Park without incident.
Events like this SPCA fundraiser allow AAACERT members to practice their traffic management, incident management, and communications skills while simultaneously helping a valuable organization.
AAACERT trains volunteers in disaster response skills and emergency preparedness. The group’s volunteers assist others in our community following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. When activated under the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management or the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, AAACERT supports emergency response agencies. For more information about how to prepare for emergencies and support the first responders who keep our families and communities safe, visit aaacert.org.
AAACERT at the SPCA Walk – Spring 2019 Read More »
On May 27, 2019, twelve Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) members served as city parade marshals for the City of Annapolis’ Memorial Day Parade.
This year’s parade was a great success with zero incidents. The event earned praise from both city officials and parade coordinators.
AAACERT welcomes this opportunity to honor those who have given their lives in defense of our country. Our thoughts are with them and their Gold Star families.
What do parade marshals do?
As parade marshals, AAACERT members serve as the city’s eyes and ears. They help authorities to keep the event safe by ensuring crowds stay clear of the parade elements. In addition, they guide participants to engage safely. And at parades such as this one, sponsored by the City of Annapolis, AAACERT is responsible for line-up, safety inspections, and accompanying the parade participants.
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 group that is certified by the City of Annapolis to work as parade marshals.
What happens at the parade?
Annapolis holds one of the largest Memorial Day Parades in Maryland. Participants include military and local groups, along with color guards, marching bands, veterans, local officials, and motorcades. Traditionally, the parade starts at Amos Garrett Boulevard and West Street. The parade proceeds down West Street to Church Circle, then down Main Street to City Dock. After the parade, the city holds a wreath-laying ceremony at Susan Campbell Park.
The annual Memorial Day Parade represents an opportunity to pay our respects to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Photo: U.S. Flag Stand on National Heroes Cemetery (Credit: Jenna Hamra on Pexels)
Members Serve as City Parade Marshals on Memorial Day Read More »