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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Virginia CERTs



Name of Program: Fairfax County CERT
Point of Contact: Jeffrey Katz
Phone Number: 7032463926
E-mail address: Jeffrey.Katz@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website address: http://www.fairfaxcert.com
Brief Description: Fairfax Countys Community Emergency Response Team program was established in 2003 along with the Citizen Corps. The program is administered by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department through the Office of the Volunteer Liaison. Four adjunct instructors from the Fire and Rescue Academy are currently authorized to teach the CERT program, along with twenty additional CERT volunteers as authorized trainers.


Name of Program: York County Department of Fire and Life Safety Community Emergency Response Team
Point of Contact: Paul Long
Phone Number: 7578903600
E-mail address: longr@yorkcounty.gov
Website address: http://www.yorkcounty.gov/fire
Brief Description: The York County Department of Fire and Life Safety CERT Program: Promotes emergency preparedness at the individual, family and neighborhood level while offering residents an opportunity to develop skills that will benefit themselves, their families and potentially their neighborhood while developing neighborhood self-sufficiency to manage before, during and after a disaster until emergency services can arrive.


Name of Program: Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro CERT
Point of Contact: Rebecca Joyce
Phone Number: 5408855174
E-mail address: rebecca@cspdc.org
Brief Description: Our CERT program is a regional program that covers the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and Augusta County. Anyone who lives or works in these areas may attend the training. We typically offer new CERT training in the Fall and Spring which is held one evening a week for nine weeks. We also offer approximately four advanced trainings to our existing CERT members throughout the year.


Name of Program: Poquoson CERT
Point of Contact: Michelle Sheeler
Phone Number: 7578695752
E-mail address: cert.poquoson.va@gmail.com
Brief Description: We are looking for ways to provide for our community during emergency and non-emergency times. We offer CERT Basic Training annually in the winter and Poquoson residents of all ages are welcome to come join us as CERT members of the Citizen Corps!! CERT members are offered training throughout the year in many other different skills. In addition we host other classes which are open to the general public. Please call Michelle at 868-3477 or Lisa at 869-5752 if you would like more information.


Name of Program: Chesterfield Community Emergency Response Team
Point of Contact: Sherri Laffoon
Phone Number: 8047512378
E-mail address: laffoons@chesterfield.gov
Website address: http://www.chesterfield.gov/CERT/
Brief Description: Chesterfield CERT classes are offered several times throughout the year. Classes are typically two days (8:30 am - Noon) or nights (6:30p-10:00p)a week for four weeks. Continuing education/refresher classes are offered throughout the year also. CERT members are given the opportuntiy to distribute emergency preparedness materials at local events, participate in exercises, and provide valuable information during a weather/disaster event through the Rapid Assessment Program.


Name of Program: Charlottesville-UVa-Albemarle Community Emergency Response Team
Point of Contact: Kirby Felts
Phone Number: 4349711263
E-mail address: kfelts@albemarle.org
Website address: http://www.charlottesvillecert.org/
Brief Description: CERT volunteers direct traffic for the Toy Lift every year. The Toy Lift collects toys for children who may not receive Christmas gifts otherwise. CERT volunteers staffed our local information line during the recent winter storms. They recruited and dispatched drivers who could transport essential personnel back and forth to work and dialysis patients to their appointments. CERT volunteers attend local government and business fairs and distribute emergency preparedness information.


Name of Program: Eastern Shore CERT
Point of Contact: Jennifer Justis
Phone Number: 7577875880
E-mail address: JJ.Justis@vdh.virginia.gov
Website address: http://www.acdps.net/page/citizen-corps/
Brief Description: The CERT Program serves Accomack and Northampton Counties on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Basic courses are offered quarterly with additional training being offered throughout the year. CERT Members also participate in public health dispensing exercises including points of dispensing center staffing and household delivery exercises.


Name of Program: City of Manassas CERT
Point of Contact: Robert Halsall, Jr
Phone Number: 7032578062
E-mail address: rhalsall@manassasva.gov
Website address: http://www.manassascity.org
Brief Description: The City of Manassas CERT is a very new program. We are constantly looking for volunteers to build our program.


Name of Program: Henrico County Community Emergency Response Teams (HCCERT)
Point of Contact: Anna McRay
Phone Number: 8045017183
E-mail address: emergencymanager@co.henrico.va.us
Website address: http://www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/fire/programs/hccert/
Brief Description: Our purpose is to provide training to citizens to help cope in the time period immediately following a disaster when local public safety resources may be overwhelmed. HCCERT's learn basic first aid, search and rescue, & fire suppression techniques. More importantly, members learn how to PREPARE for a disaster long before one occurs. By being prepared and knowing how to respond to a situation, a HCCERT member, family, friends, and co-workers will be able to cope with the stresses of a disaster.


Name of Program: Virginia Beach CERT
Point of Contact: Cookie Ketcham
Phone Number: 7573852914
E-mail address: vbcert@vbgov.com
Website address: http://www.vbcert.org
Brief Description: The Virginia Beach CERT program teaches the basic course,and offers additional training in such things as Sky Warn, Boater Safety, Chain Saw Safety, CPR certification, Ham Radio licensing, etc. and we are a part of the curriculum for the Criminal Justice Program at ECPI University. We actively volunteer for the city at marathons and parades. We are also teaching CERT to the EMS, Police and Fire Explorers.


Name of Program: Dinwiddie CERT
Point of Contact: Anthony Williams
Phone Number: 8044695388
E-mail address: twilliams@dinwiddieva.us
Brief Description: Dinwiddie's LEPC will facility as the Citizen Corp and oversee the CERT program. The first class started in January 2011 and more formal organization will take place after graduation.


Name of Program: Newport News CERT
Point of Contact: Dana Perry
Phone Number: 7572692904
E-mail address: dperry@nngov.com
Website address: http://www.nngov.com/emergency-management
Brief Description: Beyond the basic CERT training, the City of Newport News hosts other training opportunities such as NOAA Skywarn, Pet Shelter OPS, Advanced Medical First Aid, Basic Moulage, Point of Distribution, Grid Search and Rescue, and Pet First Aid. In a disaster, NN CERT team members are asked to assist with points of distribution to the community and to operate pet-friendly shelters.


Name of Program: Pittsylvania County CERT
Point of Contact: James Davis
Phone Number: 4344327920
E-mail address: jim.davis@pittgov.org
Website address: http://www.pittcert.org/


Name of Program: Arlington County CERT
Point of Contact: Cynthia Kellams
Phone Number: 7032287935
E-mail address: arlingtonCERT@aol.com
Brief Description: Arlington County CERT training is available to those who live and/or work in the County. The Arlington County CERT is sponsored by the County's Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department and Citizen Corps Council and was established to assist the community in major disasters where emergency response personnel are unable to respond,delayed in their response or request assistance from trained citizens.


Name of Program: Norfolk CERT
Point of Contact: Scott Mahone
Phone Number: 7574415610
E-mail address: scott.mahone@norfolk.gov


Name of Program: Stafford County CERT
Point of Contact: Paul Lupe
Phone Number: 5406588591
E-mail address: plupe@co.stafford.va.us
Brief Description: Stafford County CERT meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Public Safety Center located on Courthouse Rd at 7PM. The meeting is open to new and interested members.


Name of Program: Jasper CERT
Point of Contact: Jacob Kilbourne
Phone Number: 2763379586
E-mail address: Jasperfiredept@comcast.net
Brief Description: Jasper Cert is just now forming and will be updating information as it becomes available. Please feel free to contact us for further information. NO TRAINING DATES HAVE BEEN SET-UP AS OF 2/2/2011


Name of Program: Gloucester CERT
Point of Contact: Jane Wenner
Phone Number: 8046931390
E-mail address: jwenner@gloucesterva.info
Website address: http://www.gloucesterva.info/EmergencyManagement/CERT/tabid/687/Default.aspx
Brief Description: We are a growing program that offers regular training and exercises to continually prepare and inform our CERT members and the public.


Name of Program: Brickshire Community CERT
Point of Contact: Tommy Hicks
Phone Number: 8049669618
E-mail address: ethicks@co.newkent.state.va.us


Name of Program: Rockbridge CERT
Point of Contact: Robert Foresman
Phone Number: 5404632532
E-mail address: robert_foresman@co.rockbridge.va.us
Brief Description: We have several college and universities in our region, the goal of the CERT program is to provide a unifying force for the resource allocation between the universities, the localities, local agencies, state agenciues, and the private sector.


Name of Program: Chesapeake CERT
Point of Contact: Robert Gelormine
Phone Number: 7573772886
E-mail address: argelormine@cityofchesapeake.net
Website address: http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Government/City-Departments/Departments/fire/cert.htm
Brief Description: CERT promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the citizens of Chesapeake. We train members of neighborhoods, comm. organizations, religious groups or workplaces in basic emergency skills. Each area of the city has its own "team" which meets on a monthly basis. The entire team meets quarterly for meetings, drills and training. We also have "specialty" teams that focus on logistics and supplies, Communications, Marketing, Training and Rehab for the Fire Department.


Name of Program: City of Fairfax CERT
Point of Contact: Ken Rudnicki
Phone Number: 7033854856
E-mail address: OEM@fairfaxva.gov


Name of Program: Portsmouth CERT
Point of Contact: Vickie Virnelson
Phone Number: 7573970146
E-mail address: virnelsonvi@cox.net
Website address: http://portsmouthCERT.org/
Brief Description: We divided the city into 3 districts. We are forming/training teams in each district to enable them to assist themselves & their neighbors in case of a natural/manmade disaster. We try to hold 4 Basic CERT schools per year to increase our number of trained members. We conduct monthly meetings offering additional training or reviews of material already learned. Our CERT members regularly assist with logistics for Relay for Life, Strides Against Breast Cancer & other charitable activities.


Name of Program: Colonial Heights CERT
Point of Contact: Beverley Brandt
Phone Number: 8045248773
E-mail address: brandtb@colonial-heights.com
Website address: http://www.colonial-heights.com/FireEMSCERT.htm
Brief Description: - CERT assist as evaluators for the Statewide Tornado Drill - CERT participate in a Severe Storm Rapid Assessment - CERT assist with community projects such as reflective bands on hydrants, assist with carseat installation, merchant update information - CERT quarterly meetings - 5-6 Continuing education classes each year


Name of Program: City of Alexandria CERT
Point of Contact: Kimberly Purcell
Phone Number: 7037465259
E-mail address: kim.purcell@alexandriava.gov
Brief Description: The City of Alexandria holds 2 CERT classes in the Spring and 2 CERT classes in the fall. Classes are usually held on Monday and Wednesday nights.


Name of Program: Petersburg CERT
Point of Contact: Douglas Eberhardt
Phone Number: 8047332412
E-mail address: deberhardt@petersburgfire-va.org


Name of Program: Williamsburg CERT
Point of Contact: Amy Stoll
Phone Number: 7572206198
E-mail address: citizencorp@williamsburgva.gov
Website address: http://www.williamsburgva.gov/Index.aspx?page=182
Brief Description: Williamsburg CERT volunteers are trained to support sector co-captains and neighborhood representatives in maintaining neighborhood sustainability and self-sufficiency during emergencies. CERT training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings for 3 weeks with a Disaster Drill on the final Saturday.


Name of Program: Louisa County CERT
Point of Contact: Cas Grys
Phone Number: 5408725949
E-mail address: cert@louisa.org
Brief Description: Our mission is to promote a partnering effort between emergency services and the community. Members are trained in basic response skills and emergency preparedness, then integrated into emergency response capabilities. If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community's professional response, members can assist others. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until help arrives. Many members help out in sheltering, community events, and associations.


Name of Program: Richmond
Point of Contact: Anthony McLean
Phone Number: 8046462504
E-mail address: anthony.mclean@richmondgov.com
Brief Description: The City of Richmond conducts sustainment training on a monthly basis. Typically training is conducted on Saturday's. The training avg approx 20-25 vols ea month and is most successful in reiterating key points of the basic training program. During a severe storm (dereecho) that occured during an extreme heat event, CERT vols assisted the RFD with distribution of approximately 100,000 lbs of ice over a three day period. Additonally, CERT vols partcipated in a regional Survivor Day activity providing emergency preparedness information to citizens. Most recently the CERT Program has collaborated with the MRC Program to assist the Housing Authority with providing emergency preparedness information to new residents during their twice monthly orientation.


Name of Program: Winchester/Frederick CERT
Point of Contact: Lynn Miller
Phone Number: 5406671815
E-mail address: lmiller@ci.winchester.va.us
Website address: http://www.winchesterva.gov/ems/cert.php
Brief Description: The local CERT organization is a grass roots community oriented organization open to all. We are attempting to increase the non-emergency activities of the CERT members so as to maintain their skill set and increase preparedness activities. The CERT program has developed a CERT 100 program for presentation throughout the community. The goal of the program is to have 100% of the community prepared. This program is in its initial stages


Name of Program: Henry County CERT Training
Point of Contact: Lisa Garrett
Phone Number: 2766344660
E-mail address: lgarrett@co.henry.va.us
Brief Description: We train citizen to be able to take care of themselves, their families, and their neighbors or co-workers in the event of an emergency.


Name of Program: Warren County CERT
Point of Contact: Marti Viggiano
Phone Number: 5406363830
E-mail address: mviggiano@warrencountyfire.com


Name of Program: Falls Church Community Emergency Response Team
Point of Contact: Paul Schomburg
Phone Number: 7035322672
E-mail address: chief@fallschurchvfd.org
Website address: http://www.fallschurchvfd.org/cert.asp


Name of Program: Danville CERT
Point of Contact: Steve Dishman
Phone Number: 4347996535
E-mail address: dishmsr@ci.danville.va.us
Website address: http://www.danville-va.gov


Name of Program: Powhatan County CERT
Point of Contact: Floyd Greene
Phone Number: 8045985677
E-mail address: fgreene@powhatanva.gov
Brief Description: The Powhatan County CERT program is in the forming stages. One member of our Citizen Corps Council recently completed the CERT Train-the-trainer and we hope to begin conducting training courses in the near future.


Name of Program: Amelia County CERT
Point of Contact: B. Kent Emerson
Phone Number: 8045613039
E-mail address: kent.emerson@ameliacova.com


Name of Program: CERT Hampton VA
Point of Contact: Cheryl Copper
Phone Number: 7577271223
E-mail address: ccopper@hampton.gov
Website address: http://hampton.gov /fire
Brief Description: There are three ways to get involved with CERT. Take a basic class to help you and your family. Take basic and quaretly classes to help your neighborhood. Serve as a leader in your community and join the city CERT team monthly. Register for any of these online at www.hampton.gov/fire under public education. Questions? Call 727-1223.


Name of Program: Scott County CERT
Point of Contact: Patrick Johnson
Phone Number: 2763866521
E-mail address: patrickj@mounet.com


Name of Program: James City County CERT
Point of Contact: Margaret Tucker
Phone Number: 7572530574
E-mail address: margaret@james-city.va.us
Website address: http://www.jccegov.com/fire/cert.html
Brief Description: James City County CERT has a focus on individual, family and neighborhood preparedness. JCC CERT volunteers can apply for more responsible volunteer positions in support of emergency management.


Name of Program: Lancaster County CERT
Point of Contact: Scott Hudson
Phone Number: 8044626010
E-mail address: shudson@lancova.com


Name of Program: Roanoke Valley/Craig County Regional
Point of Contact: Heather Matheney
Phone Number: 5408645010
E-mail address: emnhntr@yahoo.com
Brief Description: Our grant is a regional grant and includes municipalities of Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Salem City, Vinton, Botetourt County, Craig County


Name of Program: Tidewater Community College Campus CERT
Point of Contact: Roosevelt Gray
Phone Number: 7578225231
E-mail address: rgray@tcc.edu


Name of Program: NRCC Campus CERT
Point of Contact: Amy Hall
Phone Number: 5406743600
E-mail address: ahall@nr.edu


Name of Program: Patrick Henry Community College CERT
Point of Contact: Gary Dove
Phone Number: 2766560200
E-mail address: gdove@ph.vccs.edu
Brief Description: CERT members ensure all the students are signed up for the Campus Alert System. Each CERT team member is issued a back pack,they are required to keep it in their office which has a sign indcating CERT so that if a student needs help, they will know where and who to go for assistance. We also have buildings that require the use of an Evac Chair in times of emergency. The CERT team is trained on the chair and is going to be training the rest of campus personal on the use of the chair.


Name of Program: Altavista Police Department Community Emergency Response Team
Point of Contact: Brian Davis
Phone Number: 4343697425
E-mail address: briankdavis@comcast.net
Brief Description: The APD's CERT has completed its first year of training. We responded to a wind storm by running a cooling shelter. Several members have sought additional training. The team also supported the annual Uncle Billy's Day activities which were attended by thousands of visitors. CERT supported the annual Stamp Out Hunger with Postal Service Letter Carriers collecting over 1500 lbs of food for local area food bank. Anyone interested in joining the team should contact the Altavista Police Department.


Name of Program: Brunswick County CERT
Point of Contact: Robert Williams, Jr.
Phone Number: 4349171798
E-mail address: brunswickcocert@gmail.com
Website address: https://www.brunswickcountycert.org
Brief Description: None


Name of Program: James City County CERT
Point of Contact: Margaret Tucker
Phone Number: 7575644793
E-mail address: Caroline.Dunlap@jamescitycountyva.gov
Website address: http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/fire/cert.html
Brief Description: James City County CERT has a focus on idividual, family and neighborhood preparedness. JCC CERT volunteers can apply for more responsible volunteer positions in support of emergency management.


Name of Program: Goochland CERT
Point of Contact: Robin Hillman
Phone Number: 8045565304
E-mail address: rlhillman@hotmail.com


Name of Program: City of Manassas Park CERT
Point of Contact: Steve Frick
Phone Number: 7033610008
E-mail address: jansteve4@verizon.net


Name of Program: Piedmont Virginia Community College Campus CCERT Program
Point of Contact: Tim Brown
Phone Number: 4349615319
E-mail address: tbrown@pvcc.edu
Brief Description: We are in initial Phase 1 to Start-up Program.