November 21, 2023

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded again with how much we have to be thankful for here at ALERT. Last Friday we celebrated the graduation of Unit 68 and the end of the fall training quarter. Ten men graduated, having completed Basic Training, 2nd Phase, and one of the following training options: Basic Training Cadre, Construction, Dive, Missions, or Technical Rescue. You can visit our Flickr account to see all the photos from the year.

Looking back on the 2023 training year, here are some highlights and statistics of how the year went for us at ALERT:

• 76 men completed Basic Training

• 49 men completed 2nd Phase

• 25 men served as Basic Training Cadre

• 9 men completed Construction

• 11 men completed Dive

• 9 men completed EMT

• 4 men completed varying levels of flight training

• 7 men completed L&C

• 9 men completed Missions

• 4 men completed Technical Rescue

We were able to send out men on 17 different deployments, to 8 different states and 3 countries. Altogether, our men put in over 10,800 man hours of work on deployment in 2023.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, we were able to award 35 scholarships this year, totaling $50,800. Our scholarships are 100% donor funded, and we are incredibly grateful to each one of you who gave money to help disciple young men through training at ALERT. Our goal next year is to award $100,000 in scholarships, and if you would like to partner with us in that effort, you can donate online or via mail.

God has richly blessed us this year, and you all have been a part of that. From all of us here at ALERT, thank you, and have a great Thanksgiving!