Muskegon County CERT/MRC Team

05/14/2026

Our Next Training meeting is FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE
May 20, 2026
Norton Shore Fire Department Station 3, located at 1100 Pontaluna, Norton Shores, MI, 49444. 6p-8p.

05/13/2026

Teams from MSP/EMHSD, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration are in Muskegon County TODAY doing damage assessments where they will evaluate the extent, severity, and impact of recent flooding damage.

The information gathered during these assessments helps determine whether the state meets the criteria to request a federal disaster declaration and FEMA Individual Assistance for affected residents.

05/03/2026

Muskegon County CERT/MRC IS…
STRATEGIC
Our training is strategic. We train for seasonal threats. I.e. spring storms = damage assessment training before the storms.

RESOURCEFUL
Creative problem solving when resources are not available. It’s not always instant but it’s meaningful.

ACCOUNTABLE
We recruit for attitude. We can train those with the right attitude. Our volunteers are the best!!

ADAPTIVE
We have redundancies built into our program. Our volunteers learn a variety of new skills.

IMPACT DRIVEN
We look at how we can make a difference in our community when disasters happen.

04/27/2026

Our CERT/MRC/MCECS volunteers donated over 160 hours of their time responding to flooding since April 14th. They helped in the EOC with: Logistics, planning, EOC Operations, mapping, Damage Assessment, data entry into MCIMS, communications, hauling and distributing clean-up kits, call taking and more...

CERT = Community Emergency Response Team
EOC = Emergency Operations Center
MRC = Medical Reserve Corps
MCECS= Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services
MCIMS = Michigan Critical Incident Management System

According independentsector.org the value of a volunteer hour is $36.14. The value of their time given to the county and its residents for this incident totals = $5,782.40

NEW RESEARCH Value of Volunteer Time: See the New Numbers SERVICE SYMPOSIUM Join Us for a Celebration of Service in America COMING TO PHOENIX Independent Sector’s National Summit 2026 About Us Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for ...

04/23/2026

Yesterday, some of our volunteers went out and did damage assessment. Fortunately they were recently trained to do this and did a great job!!

This survey link was how we knew where we needed to go. If you have damage to your house or business and need us to document it, please complete the survey. We want to pick up any stragglers by Saturday. https://arcg.is/10ab1j

This is so we can get those who need assistance some help.

Steps:
Self Reporting Survey
Local Damage Assessment

Flooding continues across Muskegon County, and we need your help to understand the impact. If your home or property has damage, please report it at https://arcg.is/10ab1j scan this QR code or call Community Access Line of the Lakeshore 211 to assist

03/18/2026

On January 31st, 2026 we had Damage Assessment Training for our volunteer team members. The tornadoes that just occurred in Michigan and the resulting response is showing in real time why Damage Assessment is so important. See the video of MSP-EMHSD doing damage assessment with FEMA in SouthWest Michigan. https://www.facebook.com/reel/927052059738276

This month's CERT/MRC meeting was about all these current events, including Cyber attacks, Terrorism, weather events and how volunteers can help. !

01/31/2026

01/26/2026

01/20/2026

Things we talked about at the CERT/MRC MTG last night:
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
CB
VHF
UHF
GMRS (how to get your GMRS License)
AMATEUR RADIO
CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS
First Net
Meshtastic

UPCOMING TRAININGS
Damage Assessment
Ham in a Day (day-long class and test to get your Amateur Radio License)

01/19/2026

Traffic alert us 31 closures due to accidents.
Stay off the highway.

🚨 Traffic Advisory – Road Closure 🚨

US-31 southbound is currently closed between Laketon Avenue and Sherman Boulevard due to multiple traffic crashes.

High winds and blowing snow are creating extremely hazardous driving conditions. If at all possible, please stay off the roads today and avoid unnecessary travel.

The Muskegon Police Department will provide additional updates as more information becomes available. Please use caution and stay safe.