Anne Arundel–Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) is Anne Arundel County's chapter of the FEMA sponsored program to create a culture of preparedness in the United States. FEMA places tremendous value on the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” approach taught by AAACERT during the CERT Basic course, which trains, vets, and certifies volunteers in compliance with the National Incident Management System. When activated by Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) or the City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, AAACERT supports emergency response agencies.
AAACERT provides classroom and hands-on training so community members can assist their families, neighbors, and colleagues when disaster strikes and professional responders are not immediately available to help. The organization offers specialty training programs as well, including “Emergency Operations Call Center Taker” and “Traffic Management” for its established volunteers. AAACERT’s contribution to increased public safety extends beyond promoting safe, responsible, and effective responses to emergencies: volunteers can learn to support their communities during events, participating as parade safety marshals; traffic support at food distribution locations, and volunteers supporting our nonprofit partners. In addition, we offer certified CPR, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and Overdose Awareness training; and Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety training. If you, your community, or your organization are interested in these training opportunities, contact safelives@aaacert.org
Volunteer members of AAACERT come from all ages and all walks of life. You do not have to join AAACERT to take the CERT Basic course. In fact, most people do not join but want the peace of mind knowing they are ready for when, not if, the next disaster strikes. Those interested in becoming an official volunteer with the nonprofit should review its Why-Join page at https://www.aaacert.org/why-
Take the CERT Basic class because "You are the help, until help arrives."
