The Latest is a brief summary of the most recent activities and updates from the Mount Rainier CERT. 

Upcoming training opportunities:

• Stop The Bleed online courses
• Train The Trainer training 
  • Anne Arundel CERT conducted a Train the Trainer event that Melissa and Mark attended. The training was useful and provided important lessons on how to conduct a CERT Basic Training, and how a seasoned CERT operation can serve its community.
• Connecting with Local CERTs
  • We discussed connecting with local CERT organizations, such as Hyattsville CERT (and other neighboring CERTs as they become viable).  Danielle is working with the City Manager Mr. Kamala and the City attorney to draft a memorandum of understanding between the City of Mount Rainier and the other localities to ensure liability coverage and ground rules.  This would enable Mount Rainier CERT to respond to an emergency in other municipalities, and vice versa.
• Increasing CERT Membership
  • We discussed strategies to increase membership in CERT. Melissa will contact Bruce from Anne Arundel CERT to develop additional ideas on how to build membership. We need compelling recruitment language. Danielle will encourage residents to join CERT volunteers in her newsletter. Karen suggested we develop a schedule of regular training, as that may generate some additional members.
• CERT President
  • Sadly, Melissa’s two-year stint as CERT president comes to a close next month.  CERT seeks a new president.

Budget Items

• Mini Headlamps
  • Tim proposed we purchase mini headlamps for active CERT members.  Mark moved and Melissa seconded that we purchase three 3-packs (9 total).  Unanimous approval.
• Mount Rainier CERT website and email updates
  • We discussed whether to continue to maintain the CERT website. CERT does not have the capacity to update the City of Mount Rainier’s website or send out CERT monthly updates from the city’s site. We agreed that it is useful for CERT to have a designated website. 77 residents receive CERT’s monthly updates. Melissa moved the motion that we renew our website and our email update service for a cost of $260.00. Tim seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.