A meeting of Altadena Cert (File Photo – Mala Arthur)
For the first time since the devastating Eaton Fire, the Altadena Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will reconvene at the request of Altadena LASD Captain Ethan Marquez and Deputy Balyan.
By Mala Arthur
The in-person meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Altadena Community Center (ACC), 730 E. Altadena Drive, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
The main precept of CERT is that trained individuals prepare themselves and their families for disaster first, then if they have bandwidth and time, they prepare and assist their neighbors. If they have further bandwidth and time, they assist their communities or local areas. There is no required attendance once the initial training has been accomplished, although further meetings and training provide a rich variety of useful information.
CERT Team members and former volunteers are being urged to attend and to reach out to other teammates who may not yet have received word. Contact information for current and past members, including emails and phone numbers, is being gathered to help reestablish the team’s communication network.
In addition, other local area residents or former residents who are interested in being prepared for another disaster, are welcome to attend and to sign up for further information. It’s important for many people to be prepared, especially since (as we all learned), when disaster strikes, no one will help us but us.
The Eaton Fire, which caused widespread destruction earlier this year, also claimed CERT’s stored gear, which had been kept in a member’s home that burned down. Despite these setbacks, the Team plans to assist and prepare as many people as possible as Altadena continues its recovery. Community leaders emphasized the importance of unity and preparedness as the town works to rebuild. As one message to the team put it: “We all need to bind together and Rebuild Altadena.”
If you have questions about the Altadena CERT Team, contact Deb Halberstadt, ALD CERT Liaison, at halfcityprods@gmail.com. If you would like to receive updates / information about Altadena CERT, contact email list manager Mala Arthur at malaboo@mac.com
Altadena CERT Meeting Wednesday, November 5, 2025 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Location Altadena Community Center 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena
What a great idea, better preparing our citizens here in
Thanks! Hope to see you there!