Built by neighbors,
for neighbors.
Arlington CERT Foundation Incorporated (ACFI) is a volunteer-led nonprofit that supports the award-winning Arlington Community Emergency Response Team.
Our mission
To make Arlington more resilient by keeping CERT training free, our volunteer teams equipped, and residents connected — so every neighborhood has people ready to respond safely in the first hours after a disaster.
How we work with the County
Arlington CERT is a diverse, award-winning volunteer group that works with the County government. ACFI is an independent, non-governmental nonprofit that supports that work — with the County contributing training space, materials, and coordination. We're grateful for that partnership, and we remain a separate organization funded by members and supporters.
The Community Emergency Response Team program teaches everyday people the skills to help themselves and their neighbors after a disaster. Because professional responders can be overwhelmed in a major emergency, trained CERT volunteers can safely support their own neighborhoods until help arrives — and promote preparedness the rest of the time.
Our values.
Readiness
Preparation, practiced calmly, saves lives.
Community
Neighbors helping neighbors, block by block.
Safety first
We train people to help without becoming victims.
Inclusion
Training is open to everyone who lives or works in Arlington.
Join the team.
Whether you train, volunteer, or support, there's a place for you here.
Become a member