Jasper County, IA CERT

07/28/2026

Tonight wasn't about sirens, emergencies, or disaster response. It was about something just as important: building relationships.

Members of the Mahaska County CERT and Jasper County CERT teams came together for an evening of dinner, fellowship, and great conversation. We shared experiences, exchanged ideas, and discussed what it means to serve our communities. Strong teams aren't built only through training. They're built through trust, friendships, and a shared commitment to helping others when it matters most.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to join us tonight. We look forward to continuing to learn from one another and strengthening the partnership between our two teams.

Together, we're building stronger volunteers, stronger partnerships, and stronger communities.

07/27/2026

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. The person you save could be someone you love.

Join Jasper County Emergency Management for a FREE American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED & First Aid course!

Saturday, September 5, 2026
8:00 AM
Jasper County EMA-1030 W 2nd St S, Newton, Iowa 50208

This hands-on class is open to anyone who wants to be better prepared to help during an emergency. You'll learn:
• Adult, child, and infant CPR
• AED operation
• Choking rescue
• Basic first aid for common injuries and illnesses

The class is FREE to attend!

If you need an official American Heart Association certification card for work or another requirement, the only cost is the AHA card fee. No card needed? No cost to attend.

Knowledge saves lives. Training builds confidence. One morning could prepare you to make all the difference.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heartsaver-aha-cpraed-first-aid-tickets-1988242412578

Register today and help us build a more prepared Jasper County. The class is subject to cancellation if the minimum registration is not met.

CPR/AED First Aid training following the American Heart Association guidelines

07/24/2026

We're excited to recognize and thank our very first sponsor, Rainbow Restoration of South Central Iowa, for supporting the Jasper County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)!

Community partnerships like this make a real difference. Sponsor support helps us provide volunteer training, purchase lifesaving equipment, expand community preparedness, and strengthen our ability to serve Jasper County when disasters strike.

Would your business or organization like to join them? We have space available on our "Help Us, Help Them" sponsor page, giving your organization visibility while supporting a program dedicated to helping our neighbors before, during, and after emergencies.

Visit our sponsor page to learn more:
https://jasperiacert.org/help-us%2C-help-others-1

Interested in becoming a sponsor? We'd love to visit with you about how your organization can be featured while helping build a more prepared Jasper County.

Thank you again to Rainbow Restoration for believing in our mission. Together, we're making Jasper County stronger, safer, and more resilient.

07/09/2026

KITS ARE ALL HANDED OUT. We are working to get more supplies and will post here and send out a notification on our app. If you don't have it, download it from your app store, Jasper Ready App.

Flood Cleanup Kits Available Today

Jasper County Emergency Management has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide flood cleanup kits to residents affected by last week's flooding.

The Red Cross will be at the Jasper County Emergency Management Office today from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. distributing cleanup kits while supplies last.

Location:
Jasper County Emergency Management
1030 W 2nd St S
Newton, IA 50208

Please park on the street and enter through the front door of the building.

Each cleanup kit contains basic supplies to assist with flood cleanup and recovery efforts.

Distribution begins at 11:00 a.m.
One cleanup kit per household
Available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last

If your home was impacted by flooding, we encourage you to stop by and pick up a kit.

If you have not already done so, please remember to report your flood damage through the Jasper Ready app. Every report helps us document the overall impact of this event and supports ongoing recovery efforts.

We appreciate the American Red Cross for their partnership and continued support of Jasper County residents during the recovery process.

07/09/2026

Tonight, members of the Jasper County CERT team participated in pipeline emergency response training at DMACC. This training provided an opportunity to learn about pipeline operations, potential hazards, emergency response procedures, and how CERT volunteers can safely support professional responders during pipeline-related incidents.

Continuing education is an important part of being prepared. By taking advantage of training opportunities like this, our volunteers are building the knowledge and skills needed to assist our communities when emergencies occur.

A big thank you to the instructors for sharing their expertise and to our CERT members who continue to dedicate their time to becoming better prepared to serve Jasper County.

Interested in making a difference in your community? We'd love to have you join the Jasper County CERT team. Stay tuned for information on upcoming training opportunities.

07/01/2026

🚨 Jasper County CERT Member Spotlight-July 🚨

This month, we'd like to recognize Chuck Wagoner for his continued service and commitment to preparedness in Jasper County. Chuck is a U.S. military veteran, a longtime supporter of emergency preparedness, and an active member of Jasper County CERT.

Why did Chuck join CERT?

"I was a CERT team member several years ago and am glad to see the program active again here in Jasper County. It is a great volunteer organization and a good way to support our local emergency management efforts."

What is your favorite part of CERT?

"The camaraderie with other team members when we get together, and knowing that as a volunteer group we can offer help and support when it is needed."

What skill or knowledge are you most proud of gaining?

"Seeing how the different emergency agencies work together during an incident and learning how CERT prepares volunteers for hazards that may occur in our county. CERT teaches basic disaster response skills that allow emergency personnel to focus on more complex tasks during emergencies."

Chuck's preparedness tip:

"Always be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to unusual activity, and keep an eye on the weather. Being aware of what is happening around you is one of the simplest ways to stay prepared."

Fun Fact About Chuck

Chuck serves as the Emergency Coordinator for Jasper County in our local amateur radio club and enjoys talking with fellow amateur radio operators around the world. His call sign is KØWAG.

Thank you, Chuck, for your military service, your dedication to preparedness, and your continued commitment to helping make Jasper County a safer and more resilient community.

06/04/2026

🚨 Jasper County CERT Member Spotlight-June Feature 🚨

This month, we'd like to recognize Deb Jacobs, Vice President of Jasper County CERT, for her dedication to preparedness and service to our community.

Why did Deb join CERT?

"I was looking for something that would allow me to help my community without it feeling like work or becoming a full-time commitment. CERT gives me that opportunity while I continue my career and look ahead to retirement.

I work in information technology, and part of that world is planning for disasters and helping organizations recover when things go wrong. That focus on preparedness is one of the things that drew me to CERT.

One thing I've learned is that you don't need an emergency services background to make a difference. CERT provides the training, and all you need is a willingness to help others."

What skill are you most proud of learning?

"First Aid, AED use, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Stop the Bleed training. These are skills that aren't just useful during disasters. They can be used anywhere, anytime, when someone needs help."

Deb's preparedness tip:

Come check out a CERT meeting! Meetings are only about an hour long and are a great way to learn what CERT is all about. If you decide to join, that's great. If not, you'll still leave knowing more about how CERT supports our communities.

The more trained volunteers we have, the better prepared we are to help our families, neighbors, and communities when emergencies happen.

Fun Fact About Deb

When she's not volunteering with CERT, you'll probably find her camping, browsing flea markets, antiquing, or checking out local auctions.

Thank you, Deb, for your leadership as Vice President and for helping make Jasper County a more prepared and resilient community!

06/03/2026

Today members of Jasper County CERT had the opportunity to assist with a large five-county multidisciplinary active threat exercise.

Our volunteers helped support the exercise behind the scenes, allowing first responders, dispatchers, hospitals, emergency managers, and public safety partners to train together in a realistic environment. While CERT members may not always be in the spotlight, these exercises show how important volunteers are to emergency preparedness and response.

We are proud of our team for giving up their time to support training that helps make our communities safer and better prepared for emergencies.

A big thank you to all of the agencies, volunteers, role players, and organizers who made today's exercise possible. It was a great example of what can be accomplished when communities work together toward a common goal.

Interested in serving your community and being part of something bigger? Reach out to learn more about Jasper County CERT.

05/20/2026

🚨 Meet Your Jasper County CERT Team – May Feature 🚨

This month, we are highlighting CERT member Jason Walerius.

Jason joined CERT after seeing the destruction tornadoes and other emergencies can leave behind over the years. Rather than standing on the sidelines, he wanted to be part of the recovery and help communities get through some of their worst days.

One of Jason’s favorite parts of the team is working together as one group to support first responders during disasters and emergencies. That team mindset is a huge part of what makes CERT successful.

A skill Jason is most proud of learning is preparedness. Not just for CERT activations, but for everyday life. As he puts it, you never know when you may need to use these skills outside of their normal purpose.

His advice to the community is simple but important:
“Do anything you can to help prepare yourself and others to expect the unexpected. You don't know when the worst-case scenario will happen.”

And a fun fact about Jason, he has a deep musical background and is also an amateur radio operator.

Thank you Jason for being part of the Jasper County CERT team and for your commitment to helping others when they need it most.

Interested in joining CERT or learning more? Reach out to us and see how you can help make Jasper County more prepared.

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Jasper County EMA

Tonight, at the Iowa Emergency Management Association awards ceremony, Jasper County EMA was honored to receive the 2025 Emergency Management Program of the Year award. To say we are proud and humbled is an understatement.

This award recognizes an Emergency Management Commission that has made significant advancements in protecting their communities from disasters while building an integrated culture of preparedness involving individuals, businesses, and government. It also highlights the collaborative effort that helps minimize the cost of emergency management while maximizing risk reduction.

That description truly reflects what emergency management is supposed to be. This recognition does not belong to one person. It belongs to our entire team, our responders, dispatchers, city and county leaders, partner agencies, volunteers, schools, hospitals, and the communities we serve every day. Preparedness and response are never accomplished alone.

Over the last year, we have pushed hard on training, public education, school safety, disaster planning, regional partnerships, and strengthening the overall emergency response system across Jasper County. To have those efforts recognized at the state level means a great deal to us.

Thank you to everyone who supports emergency management and helps make Jasper County stronger, safer, and more prepared. We are honored, grateful, and motivated to keep building on this work.