The dates for the next two sessions of CERT Basic training have been set. At this time, the Spring class is full. However, we are keeping a waitlist! If you are interested in a chance at any seats that open up in the Spring class or to get first crack at the summer session, hit the \”Join the Waitlist\” button on the below form.

Well, it took until mid-March, but it looks like Montgomery County might get snow Monday night and into Tuesday.  As we all safely warm in our homes (hopefully) and remember the lovely 70 degree days we had just last week, we are hoping our fellow CERT members are willing to send in a few situation reports (SITREPs). Submitting situational reports (SITREPs) provide county officials valuable information about conditions around the county. Operational Period: Monday 3-13-17 2000 to Tuesday 3-14-17 1600 or as amended. Please answer the following questions: What time did you generate this report? What is your zip code? What type of precipitation? (Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain, Mix) What is the approximate accumulation? (e.g., .25”, 1”, 2-3”) Do you have power? (Yes, No, Lost but restored now) Have your roads been serviced? (Yes/No) If possible, please provide more than one SITREP over the course of the operational period, but no more than one per hour. Photos are welcome but not necessary. You will remain anonymous in the final report. Providing input does not require possessing a County ID because this is not an activation of CERT. Please stay warm and be safe. How to submit a SITREP: Email your answers to storm@montgomerycert.org Use the SITREP Submission Form: http://montgomerycert.org/sitrep-submission-form/

  Happy February, CERTS! Here is a list of upcoming events for February: February 2017 Steering Committee Meeting The February 2017 Steering Committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 6th at 1900 at PSHQ. Please sign up in CERVIS to attend. All are welcome. Event Meeting Location: PSHQ 100 Edison Park Dr. Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 Event Registration Code: gvY3pf February 2017 General Membership Meeting The February General Membership meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9th at 1900 at PSHQ. Please sign up in CERVIS to attend. Event Meeting Location: PSHQ 100 Edison Park Dr. Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 Event Registration Code: 00DmZp FEMA SAR Team Support- Volunteers Needed Event Date/Time: Sat, Feb 11, 2017 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Event Name: CERT Support for MDTF-1 CE Event Meeting Location: Search & Rescue Assist (SARA) Linthicum USAR K-9 Training Facility 6931 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Brooklyn, MD 21225 Event Registration Code: 7xZbN8 Event Description: Maryland Task Force 1, the local FEMA SAR team, is taking part in a Certification Exam for FEMA canine handles nationwide at the Linthicum, MD training site and has asked MC CERT for a few volunteers to participate as subjects.  It’s a unique experience and you will get the chance to observe the test and see the various. Volunteers would need to report early to the Linthicum site- at 7 AM.  While the testing will continue throughout the day until dusk, volunteers may leave after their turn as subject.  All effort will be made to get CERT volunteers in early in the day. Sign-up to volunteer through CERVIS: For more information on the certification: https://www.fema.gov/canine-handler-certification Also, feel free to contact Registrar Gigi Knell at gigiknell@gmail.com if you have any questions. CERT Basic- Winter 2017 Class Our CERT Basic Winter 2017 class is being held on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting on February 22ndgoing until March 25th.  If you have not completed all of the CERT basic classes, there is space to register for CERT members who still need to finish the requirements for graduation. CERT members that wish to brush up on their skills are welcome to come and sit in on any class.  If you have a desire to become an instructor or an assistant, please contact David Steele or Greg St. James for more information. The event registration is listed in Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-emergency-response-team-basic-training-february-22-march-25-tickets-29829965229 Also, feel free to contact Registrar Gigi Knell at gigiknell@gmail.com if you have any questions.   Free Amateur Radio Class Offered The Montgomery Amateur Radio Club is offering a free amateur radio Technician license class at the Rockville Memorial Library for six Sundays on March 26, April 2, April 9, April 23, April 30, May 7, 2017 from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.  More information about this class is at: http://www.marcclub.org/mweb/education/classes/index.html We will be meeting at the: Studio i Makerspace Rockville Memorial Library, second floor 21 Maryland Ave Rockville, MD 20850 Maps & Directions This is a great opportunity for you to get your amateur radio license.  To learn more about amateur radio, also known as ham radio, go to http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio or watch the Discovering Amateur Radio video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfJUjcSEz8 You can register for this free class by sending an email to: education@marcclub.org . For existing CERT members that have amateur radio licenses and have not put your call sign in CERVIS, please do so. We are trying to identify our existing ham radio operators for upcoming events and training. Please contact Jennifer Hobson or Carl Brill for more information. As you can see, this is a very busy time, and CERT only works because of you. Please stay involved and stay safe. Thanks for volunteering! Greg St. James Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.)  Program Manager Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service 100 Edison Park Drive Gaithersburg,  MD 20878 240-777-2407

Registration is now open for the Winter 2017 Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Course will start on Wednesday, February 22,  2017 and wrapping up with a final practical exercise on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Classes held Wednesday Evenings from 7–9 PM and Saturday mornings from 9 AM–1 PM at the Public Safety Headquarters (100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878). For more information, please contact the MC CERT Registrar @ registrar@montgomerycert.org. Powered by Eventbrite

The only thing scarier than Halloween is not knowing how to save a life using CPR. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death among American adults. Learn how to save the lives of your family and friends with a FREE CPR class and costume party. Please wear costumes… Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. All ages are welcome. Act fast, limited space. DATE: Saturday, October 29, 2016 TIME: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT WHERE: Public Safety Headquarters 100 Edison Park Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878 View Map *This class is open to Montgomery County residents ONLY and does NOT result in certification. The Montgomery Community Emergency response Team (CERT) offers this class free of charge to Montgomery County Residents. The class are taught by ASHI professional instructors and Montgomery County EMT’s. Powered by Eventbrite For more information, please contact the CERT Program Manager at greg.stjames@montgomerycountymd.gov.