A little history of the Angelus Oaks Greyback Community Emergency Response Team
On June 28, 1992 both the Landers and the Big Bear earthquakes hit, both quakes were over 7.0 magnitude. Highway 38 was blocked in both directions as a result, and the residents of Angelus Oaks, along with tourists who were in town at the time, were trapped. Eventually the 38 opened to the North and people were able to leave town using the route towards Big Bear.
While Hwy. 38 was still closed to the South, many residents and agencies felt that Angelus Oaks needed to be prepared for the worst possible emergencies, as the town could be isolated without outside support.
An organization was needed to address emergency concerns. These concerns were: operations, communications, funding, supplies such as medical, food, tools, etc, and where to store them. Neighbors in Angelus Oaks came together and formed the organization that was called Greyback Disaster Preparedness Group. It was agreed upon that a master plan was needed to address the issues and help organize the community.
Plans began to form for the community and outlying areas and were completed in 2001. After completion, there were many continuous trainings including: First Responder trainings and mock disaster drills. An Angelus Oaks Community Wildfire Protection Plan, CWPP, was written to express the community’s concerns with respect to the threat of wildfire within our area. This document was completed in 2006 and approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors along with other agencies, allowing millions to be brought in and around our community for wildfire fuels reduction projects.
FEMA certified CERT training was conducted in 2007 to provide advanced skills and form a new subgroup for Greyback. In 2025 it was agreed to join both Greyback Disaster Preparedness Group with Angelus Oaks CERT, to have have one solid team with the knowledge and skills of how to be prepared for any situation that might arise in our mountain community.
What is CERT?
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a national organization dedicated to aiding (when activated by the approved governing authority) emergency services personnel during situations, such as natural disasters, by providing additional help and support when the fire and police crews are overwhelmed. Each community has a different CERT team. Angelus Oaks Greyback CERT is the CERT team serving from Forest falls up to Onyx Summit.
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As we all know, our mountains have suffered several disasters in past years, including multiple fires, floods, and evacuations. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trains citizen volunteers to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors. It is a great help to emergency personnel. You can get this training and be better prepared to help you and your family.
CERT trainees take a 20-hour course provided by trained CERT personnel. Disaster related preparedness skills and techniques are taught. Once sworn in as a certified disaster service worker, the CERT volunteer can receive more training by attending voluntary monthly meetings and secondary pre-authorized training events.
Meet your board members
Below is the current board membership of the AO Greyback CERT
Ongoing projects and opportunities
Discover a way to get involved below!
Be prepared
Visit our resources page to view our list of emergency preparedness resources. ​
Amateur radio weekly net
In am emergency, we can find ourselves without the normal modes of communication, and amateur radio may be the only form of contact.
If you have your ham radio operator license, please join us on the first Sunday of the month at 6PM for our weekly net. Everyone welcome! You do not need to be associated with CERT to tune in. Please contact Zack for frequency.
Festival
Please join us next July for our second annual preparedness festival!