CERT Basic 2025 Late Spring

Who: Community Members Interested in Being Better Prepared in an Emergency
What: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training
Where: Fire Training Academy, 415 Maxwell Frye Road, Millersville, MD 21108
When: Saturday, April 26; Sunday, April 27; Saturday, May 3; with Practical Exercises on Sunday, May 4, 2025

Additional Details

During an emergency or following a major disaster, first responders may not be able to meet the increased demand for their services. The FEMA based Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates community members about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and basic disaster medical operations. Using this training, CERT-trained individuals can assist others in their family, their neighborhood, and their community until first responders arrive.

Anne Arundel – Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) is pleased to provide this CERT Basic Training. Our 21-hour course teaches these skills using updated FEMA-supplied materials, incorporating practical exercises, and culminating with a disaster scenario in a realistic environment.

The target audience for this course are individuals who desire the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and respond to a disaster. The minimum age is 16 and there is no maximum age. Everyone participates to the extent that they can, given individual constraints.

WE LISTEN TO FEEDBACK FROM OUR CLASS MEMBERS.  WE HAVE ADJUSTED OUR CLASS TIMES.

In 2025, we have eliminated Friday evening classes and the associated end-of-the-day fatigue and traffic issues, added a second Saturday class, and shortened the days, starting at a more reasonable 9:00am and ending no later than 4:00pm (except for the last day).

Our Early Spring class schedule is:

• April 26 (Saturday): 9:00am-4:00pm
• April 27 (Sunday): 9:00am-4:00pm
• May 3 (Saturday): 9:00am-4:00pm
• May 4 (Sunday): 12:00pm-4:30pm (course completion and disaster simulation)

Classroom instruction and all practical exercises, including our final disaster simulation will be conducted at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy in Millersville.

WE LISTEN TO FEEDBACK FROM OUR CLASS MEMBERS.  THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY PREREQUISITE COURSES TO TAKE.

However, although not required, we recommend that you complete the following two, free on-line FEMA Emergency Management Institute courses prior to start of class on Day 1 because it will enhance your understanding of the National Incident Management System and give you a better idea of how professional and volunteer emergency responders organize during a response:

1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
2. IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

If you don’t have one already, you will need to obtain a FEMA Student ID (SID), which is free.

You also might want to take these classes if you are thinking you might want to join AAACERT.  We require that all members be NIMS compliant, meaning that they have successfully completed IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.  Taking these classes will get you half way there.

COURSE COMPLETION

You will receive a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion.

REFUNDS

Last-minute cancellations limit opportunities for others to register. Therefore, refunds are only available if you cancel at least seven days prior to the beginning of class. Note: Irrespective of when you cancel, ticket processing fees are not refunded.

QUESTIONS?

For more information on CERT Basic course objectives or for the course outline, go to www.aaacert.org. If you have any other questions, please contact the AAACERT Lead Instructor, Bruce Morgenstern, at bruce@aaacert.org.

We look forward to having you!

Be Prepared. Have a Plan