On Saturday, April 13, nine Anne Arundel-Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (AAACERT) members served as City Parade Marshals for the 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade.

This year’s parade was a great success, registering zero incidents; the event earned praise from both city officials and parade coordinators.

As city parade marshals, AAACERT members serve as the city’s eyes and ears, helping authorities to keep the event safe by ensuring crowds stay clear of the parade elements, and guiding participants to engage safely.  At parades like this one that are sponsored by the City of Annapolis, AAACERT is responsible for line-up, safety inspections, and accompanying the parade participants.

Not content to be mere safety spotters, many AAACERT members also sported first aid kits, standing ready to step in with immediate assistance if needed.

Parades serve as excellent opportunities for AAACERT members to practice their crowd management, emergency communication, and incident response training. AAACERT is the only group that is certified by the City of Annapolis to work as parade marshals.

Photo: Tom Cagle, the Lead City Parade Marshall, and AAACERT members after the parade. (Credit: Mike)