Letter
To the Editor,
In times of crisis, the Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) stands as a crucial pillar of strength and preparedness for our community. This all-volunteer organization empowers residents with essential knowledge and skills to navigate emergencies, from natural disasters to everyday incidents. You can learn more about CERT’s services and initiatives at https://fairfaxcountycert.org/about/why-cert/.
CERT volunteers are rigorously trained to assist themselves, their families, and their neighbors when the need arises, and they continuously extend this training to others. Another vital part of CERT’s mission is to support Fairfax County’s first responders. These dedicated volunteers assist with traffic and crowd management, participate in exercises and drills as role players, and more recently, provide canteen services at major incidents across the county. CERT’s contributions, described in more detail at https://fairfaxcountycert.org/about/table-of-services/, exemplify community service at its finest.
Despite the program's importance, its future hangs in the balance. The proposed budget for the coming year includes plans to eliminate the CERT program, with a vote scheduled by the Board of Supervisors on May 13, 2025. Last year alone, over 500 CERT volunteers dedicated nearly 20,000 service hours, providing over $1M in value to aid the county's residents and first responders. The elimination of CERT would create a significant void in community preparedness and support.
Community members are urged to act and help save this vital program. By contacting the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay at chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-2321, residents can express their support for retaining the CERT program. Fairfax County residents should also reach out to their district supervisors with the same request. If you are unsure of your district supervisor, you can find out by entering your address at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/myneighborhood/.
Let’s come together to ensure that CERT continues to be a beacon of resilience and service in Fairfax County.
Ray Katona
Secretary, Fairfax CERT Association