The Ankeny Community Emergency Response Team (ACERT) was formed in November, 2004, and is currently comprised of approximately 25 volunteers. ACERT meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Ankeny Fire Station at 6:30 p.m.
Our Mission: To utilize education, training, and volunteer service to better prepare Ankeny and its citizens for the hazards that threaten our community.
What we do: The Ankeny Community Emergency Response Team (ACERT) is an all volunteer organization that is trained to prepare for and assist in the response to disasters and emergency situations in our community. ACERT members are CERT trained and First Aid and CPR certified.
To promote preparedness in the community, ACERT members provide educational programs concerning emergency and severe weather preparedness. Members also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
When emergencies do happen, ACERT members can give critical support to city staff and first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, manage emergency shelter locations and lead search and rescue operations. The Ankeny Community Emergency Response Team offers the following specialty teams:
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
In order to effectively respond to an emergency, communication and teamwork are paramount. The EOC is a protected site from which government officials coordinate, monitor, and direct emergency response activities during an incident. ACERT volunteers assist in setting up the EOC*s floor plan, connecting computers and telephones, distributing necessary forms and providing assistance to EOC activated personnel to enable its efficient operations.
Severe Weather Preparedness
Even with all the technology used by the National Weather Service, severe storms can develop quickly and with little or no warning. Do you know what to do if you are caught out in the open and lightning begins to strike? Do you know what supplies to keep on hand during the snows of winter? The Severe Weather Preparedness Team will teach you how to be prepared for and how to respond to the unique situations caused by severe weather in Iowa whether it is tornadoes, lightning strikes or a blizzard.
Emergency Preparedness
The City of Ankeny has an Emergency Operations Plan that describes what will happen during an emergency situation. It details the specific actions to be taken, the individuals responsible for them, and outlines how they will be coordinated. Each household should have its own Emergency Operations Plan. The Emergency Preparedness Team will teach you how to put together your plan and your preparedness kit that will see you through the first few days of an emergency.
If you have any questions about either the City of Ankeny Emergency Operations Plan or ACERT please feel free to contact us at 515-965-6469 and we will return your call. If you are interested in joining an ACERT team check out our calendar page and attend one of our monthly meetings. No experience is necessary and training is available.
ACERT Coordinator: Forrest McGuire