Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT

11/30/2022

Get READY!!! Winter Weather is coming, now would be a good time to update your vehicle kits.

Don't get stuck in your car empty-handed in the winter!

Have your car serviced/inspected, fluid levels checked, and batteries tested.

Replace windshield wipers and tires if worn or cracked.

If you have to drive after/during snow, clean your car entirely, including windows, headlights, hood, roof, and trunk to help with visibility and safety.

Keep an emergency kit stocked with food, water, and other supplies in your car.

Learn more at www.ready.gov/winter-weather

10/11/2022

Members of CERT will be out tonight as well from 5-8pm. Stop by and visit our Team members!!!

Be sure to come see us tonight frm 5PM-8PM at the Office of Stafford County Sheriff's at Stafford Marketplace!

10/03/2022

Yesterday, we wrapped up our 2022 CERT Basic Course with tabletop and live exercises for our participants. Congratulations to our course graduates and welcome to the team!

Interested in joining the team? Stay tuned for the next course announcement!

09/27/2022

Good information from VA Department of Emergency Management as we wrap up Preparedness Month 2022. Check your Emergency Supply kit. Don't wait until you need it!!!
Get more info at: https://www.ready.gov/kit

It's too early to know the full impact of on Virginia. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't prepare now.
🎒Ensure your emergency supply kit is stocked.
📲 Stay updated with the latest forecast for your area.
More: https://bit.ly/3z2dFPo

09/20/2022

We've had some last-minute drop-outs from the Basic Course starting this weekend, so we're going to reopen registration for the next 24 hours.

If you've been on the fence about signing up, or missed the original deadline, now is your chance!

Email [email protected] by Wednesday morning to sign up.

09/12/2022

It's not too late to sign up for our 2022 Basic Course! The deadline to register is today, September 12, and class starts on September 24.

While completion of the course is a prerequisite for joining the team, the class is open to anyone interested in personal and family emergency preparedness!

07/28/2022

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their address.

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their address.

07/18/2022

06/22/2022

As many of you know, strong Storms have moved throughout the Stafford Co. area. More storms may follow. Please listen to your local news and be prepared for more potential bad weather!!

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9pm for the potential of damaging thunderstorms. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 11pm for a large portion of our area as well. Stay weather aware!

06/17/2022

Stafford County CERT Basic Course – Fall 2022
Course begins on September 24 | REGISTER NOW!

06/15/2022

On June 12, CERT responded to an auto accident at the intersection of Route 1 and Courage Ln to provide lighting support for the Sherriff's Office to conduct their accident investigation.

Interested in getting involved with the team? Stay tuned for an announcement this week about our upcoming Basic Course!

06/14/2022

Come out next Wednesday, June 22 to learn "Hands Only" CPR, check out some equipment, and get some good food! This event is sponsored by Aquia Harbor Rescue.

05/10/2022

Come out next Tuesday, March 17th and get some “Hands Only CPR” but also some goodies from a local favorite. These event is being sponsored by White Oak Volunteer Rescue Squad.

04/27/2022

April is National Volunteer Month, and the CERT members would like to thank Stafford Co. Fire and Rescue for recognizing the Team, as well as showing our appreciation for the other Volunteers throughout Stafford! Especially, our dedicated members who respond to the various missions that CERT does with SCFD and other partner organizations!!!

03/22/2022

Take a few minutes this week and make sure what's under your sink or in your Garage is secure and out of reach of young children in your household during .

This week is . Over the past couple of years, most of us have accumulated quite the collection of cleaning supplies, be sure to keep them out of the reach of little ones and stored in their original containers.

03/01/2022

Great information from VA Department of Emergency Management...more to follow!!

ONE WEEK AWAY! 🌪️⛈️🌊⚡️ Virginia's Severe Weather Awareness Week begins Monday, March 7.
During the week, VDEM and NWS want to refresh, remind, and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them.

We hope you join us!

US National Weather Service Wakefield VA

01/19/2022

Good information from VA Dept of Transportation.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=295644849257478&id=100064358966841

More winter weather is headed our way. Do you know what the different winter storm threat levels mean?

10/16/2021

Stop by and visit us today or tomorrow at the Fredericksburg Fall Home & Craft Festival. It's a Home Show - It's a Craft Show - All in one at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. Our CERT members will be distributing information on Preparedness topics and other items to better prepare for this winter. Hope to see you there!!

October 16th & 17th join us for the 16th Annual Fall Home & Craft Festival 🎃🌾

It's TWO shows for the price of ONE ‼️

This show features home improvement vendors along with crafters who will have their handmade creations available for sale. Come get your home ready for winter here! 🧶🎨🏡🛠

Show Hours⏱
Saturday: 10:00AM-5:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM-3:00PM

Show Info 🗒: https://www.fredericksburghomeshow.com/
Tickets 🎟: https://bmgevents.ticketspice.com/fredericksburg-home-craft-festival-2021

10/05/2021

Stafford County, VA

Hey Stafford. Come on out to the Stafford Marketplace in front of Lowes for National Night Out. Lots of First Responders, Activities and Vendors. Bring the Kids and have some Community Fun!!!

09/21/2021

Prepare Your Family | Ready.gov

This is week 4 of National Preparedness Month: Teach Youth About Preparedness! Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved. Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents

Find materials to build a family emergency plan, information on how to help children cope with a disaster, and tips to help children be ready for disasters.

09/17/2021

originusda-www.floodsmart.gov

Week 3 of National Preparedness Month: Disasters can impact you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area and learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards. Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is up-to-date. Also, remember that most home insurance does NOT cover flooding. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed and https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance/why

09/09/2021

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your Caution-home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations from FEMA and the Centers for Disease Control. http://www.ready.gov/kit

Our CERT team was out this past weekend at the local Farmer's Market in Stafford.

09/07/2021

Stafford County CERT Basic Course – Fall 2021
REGISTER NOW - Registration Deadline is Sunday, September 12
Available to Stafford County-area residents 18+.

09/03/2021

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and is held annually. NPM is a time to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme for National Preparedness Month is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” For more information on the themes for each week, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/september

08/31/2021

Governor Northam has declared a state of emergency to respond to impacts from Tropical Depression Ida, which is expected to cause heavy rains and flooding. This includes Stafford Co. and the surrounding areas. Take some time to ensure items that could be affected by high winds are stored or tied down. Also, potential power outages in the area. Please be careful & take precautions!!!

08/21/2021

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their website address.

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their website address.

08/21/2021

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their phone number.

Stafford County Community Emergency Response Team - CERT updated their phone number.

08/11/2021

Happening this afternoon at 2:20PM, the VA Dept. of Emergency Management along with the FCC will be conducting a national test of the Emergency Alert System. See post below:

We'll be conducting a national test in coordination with The Federal Communications Commission of the Emergency Alert System at 2:20 PM ET this Wednesday, August 11. The test will go to televisions & radios, while specially configured cell phones will receive an emergency alert test code message.

More info: fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system

08/05/2021

Last Thursday, CERT was activated in response to a severe weather event that impacted the Truslow Rd. area. CERT members assisted Fire & Rescue units by surveying affected streets, reporting damage, helping residents, and providing support to incident command.

Some residents were displaced due to storm damage, which highlights the importance of having a family emergency plan and kit in case you have to evacuate your home. You can find more resources here: www.ready.gov/plan

07/14/2021

Stafford County CERT Basic Course – Fall 2021
Course begins on September 25 (Register by September 12)
REGISTER NOW!

07/07/2021

Good advice from the SCSO, arrive safely to your destination!!

K9 Ruby is reminding you that if you plan on picking up your set of keys and heading out on the roads today, please obey posted speed limits and put your phone down!

06/29/2021

Yesterday, CERT responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of Potomac Hills Rd. to support SCFR units. CERT members assisted with firefighter rehab and provided survivor assistance to displaced residents.

06/02/2021

It's that time of year to think about Hurricanes and review your emergency plan for your Family. Also identify shelters in your area and update your preparedness kits!!

Today, June 1st, marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

Now is the time to prepare. For more information visit https://www.vaemergency.gov/hurricanes/

04/27/2021

The Stafford County Fire and Rescue’s Emergency Management Division and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) received the James A. Nogle Jr. Trophy last month. The trophy, presented on behalf of Gov. Ralph Northam, recognizes EMS providers and organizations across the state for excellence and dedication to community service. A group of the CERT members were recognized by SC Fire & Rescue Chief during a Stafford Co. Board of Supervisors at a meeting last week for this accomplishment.

03/24/2021

Make this week a good time to clean out from under your sink or the utility room closet. Prepare, Prevent, & Protect!!!

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many households are storing more hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies than they have in the past, be sure to keep these out of reach of curious young children. House hold cleaning products accounted for more than 6% of calls to Virginia poison centers in 2019.

03/18/2021

With the rain last night and the continue steady rains today, BE ALERT for flooding in and around Stafford Co. Remember: turn around, don't drown!!!

Heavy rain is expected to role into our area late tonight and throughout the day tomorrow. Please keep in mind there are several roads in our area that flood frequently. Remember: turn around, don't drown!

02/17/2021

511Virginia.org

From the VA Department of Emergency Management:

PREPARE this Evening for the significant ICING, snow, and sleet expected for Thursday❗️ Unfortunately, this storm is expected to impact the area's hardest hit from the last storm. 🧊

Once again, widespread power outages, significant tree damage, and travel disruptions are expected. Forecasts can change quickly. Continue to monitor the forecast for your area and sign-up for alerts and warnings! Have multiple ways to get information, such as mobile apps, TV, radio, social media, family, etc.) 📱

Charge your devices! Take inventory of what you need that relies on electricity, especially for medical reasons. 🔌

Restock your emergency supply kits with bottled water, nonperishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, blankets, portable phone chargers, and other needs specific to your family. 🔋

Prepare your home. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing; keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping; and install and test smoke alarms and CO detectors with battery backups. 🏡

If travel is essential, make sure your car is prepared. Keep an emergency supply kit in your car. Include jumper cables, flares, ice scraper, blanket, phone charger, map, masks, soap, sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, cat litter, or sand. 🎒

Once again, we STRONGLY encourage you to stay home once the winter weather starts. But if travel is essential, please follow these driving safety tips: Know before you go by checking 511virginia.org; give yourself more time; slow down; increase your following distance; avoid using cruise control, and don't crowd the plows. 🚗

Bring your pets inside. They get cold, too! 🐶

If you’re using portable heaters, know how to safely use them: https://bit.ly/3dmMYKc. Keep the heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people. 🔥

In case you lose power, know how to safely use a portable generator: https://bit.ly/3dmMYKc. Never use a portable generator in your home or garage. Keep them at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents. ‼️

If you lose power, unplug electronics and appliances, don’t use a gas stove to heat your home, and keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Don't use candles for emergency lighting. Instead, use flashlights. 🔦

Here are tips to stay warm when the power is out: https://bit.ly/2Ngdomb.

More safety and preparedness tips can be found at:
➡️ vaemergency.gov/winter-weather
➡️ ready.gov/winter-weather
➡️ weather.gov/winter

(For relevant winter safety social media graphics that you can share with your followers and friends, please visit this thread: https://bit.ly/37mbIyD)

02/12/2021

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3785865738126675&id=112615338785085

With a fresh blanket of snow across our area, please remember to:

-avoid travel unless necessary
-if you must travel, take it slow on slick roads and leave extra time for travel
-take it easy when shoveling and take breaks as necessary
-make sure you have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your home if you plan on heating your home with a wood stove, fireplace or gas heat
-if you have a fire hydrant on or near your property, please help us by clearing it off
-use caution when walking on snow or ice covered surfaces

01/29/2021

GET READY. From the NWS, WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. The Fredericksburg and Stafford area could get up to 6 inches of snow by late Sunday afternoon/evening.

• Travel could be very difficult
• Gas up your vehicle if needed
• Check on your Neighbor
• Continue to monitor your local weather
• Don’t forget to take care of your Pets!

01/23/2021

Good advice on dining out during these tough times!