We have two more Basic Training courses scheduled in 2021 -- September and October. If you're not a already a member of LWR CERT, visit www.lwrcert.org/join to learn more and to register for one of these sessions. Graduates frequently comment about the skills and knowledge they gained, including how to keep their family safe.

President, LWR CERT

After 20 hours of intense in-person Basic Training, 13 residents residing in our service area graduated and became members of LWR CERT on June 26. Welcome to Alan Blair, Stephen Bloom, Mike Defferding, Sharon Defferding, Douglas Feingold, Lahin Khan, Jack Mathews, Mike Modisett, Denny Noto, Eddie Russell, Julie Russell, Jennifer Smith, and Mark Smith. Ten additional residents from Manatee and Sarasota counties also graduated from the June LWR CERT-led Basic Training course. Graduates are flanked by members of East Manatee Fire Rescue. Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer (center, blue shirt) presented each graduate with their Certificate.

Congratulations, also to LWR CERT member Jean Hritz, who graduated after auditing the course, which has recently been updated by FEMA to reflect new materials. This was the first time the Basic Training course required passing a final exam to qualify for graduation. All 23 students passed the exam -- and 9 scored 100%, answering all 42 questions correctly! See below for more photos from the course.

To prepare for the current hurricane season, all Group Leaders, alternate Group Leaders, Team Captains, and backup Team Captains are encouraged to attend a workshop at LWR Town Hall.

The Workshop is slated to include:

Knowing CPR and how to use an AED will enable our members to provide life-saving care in a range of individual emergencies.

As a member benefit, LWR CERT is offering 20 members the opportunity to attend free Hands-Only CPR and AED training at Town Hall. The 90-minute training will be conducted by American Heart Association-certified CPR instructor and LWR CERT Team Captain Connie Farmer. Two sessions of the course will be offered; each session can only accommodate 10 members. There is no need to attend both sessions.

Attending this CPR training does not change the LWR CERT members' training protocol during activation for a hurricane. The knowledge gained during this training is additional knowledge that our LWR CERT members may value if presented with an individual emergency. Attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion. Note: this is not an AHA or ASHI certificate.

The number of Active Responders is amazing! Thank you all for staying so involved!

Alan Blair

Stephen Bloom

Mike Defferding

Sharon Defferding

Douglas Feingold

Lahin Khan

Jack Mathews

Mike Modisett

Denny Noto

Eddie Russell

Julie Russell

Jennifer Smith

Mark Smith

Communications Committee: We're looking for someone with artistic or graphic skills to help us design 2 large banners for our events. No special software skills required -- if you can sketch it, we can create it. Although if you can create it, we won't say no! Contact Communications Manager Karen Emanuelson.

Radio Communications Committee: Our Hub Operators have held their positions for many years -- in some cases, more than a decade -- and they are looking for a few special members willing to learn how to serve as Hub Operators during times of activation. You supply the brain power, and LWR CERT supplies all the equipment. We will even provide resources for you to pass your FCC exam! Contact Interim Radio Communications Committee Manager Jim Emanuelson.

15th Anniversary Celebration: We're throwing a community-wide celebration at Adventure Park on Jan. 22, 2022 and need several more volunteers to ensure the event is a success. We'd love to hear your ideas for who to include in our lineup of partnering organizations, how we should get the community excited to attend, and which food trucks we should invite. Contact 15th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator Karen Emanuelson.

Thank you to all involved with the Class of June 2021 Basic Training, including Nigel Pilling, Pat Knowles, Jim Emanuelson, Pete Messina, Mary Benfer, Jan Kuhn, Jon Lyon, Dr. Rich Paul, Dave Cashbaugh, Phil Johnson, Frank Giannone, Mel Davis, Stan Schuer, Jack Kerber, Roger Grossel, Connie Farmer, Mollie Saia, Marty Saia, Patt Staley, Mike Staley, Brenda Nusbaum, Karen Emanuelson, Tom Hickey, and Deb Diven.

Day four was a tremendous success thanks to the staff and members of the East Manatee Fire Rescue including Battalion Chief Paul Wren, Captain Craig Madsen, Lieutenant Eric Hoying, Lieutenant Todd DePatie and firefighters Bill Duff, Ben Stasurat, Jordan Rogers, Jacob Sperko and Eric Burgess.

Our thanks also to Pamela Modisett and Amr Karar with Keller Williams Realty Select for sponsoring the afternoon snacks and beverages during the two Saturday classes.

It takes a number of dedicated members and community leaders to organize and conduct a Basic Training course. LWR CERT couldn't exist without you all. Thank you!

Happy July birthday to members Diane Anderson, Gary Anderson, Mary Balazic, Joseph Butch, Amy Franceschini, Karen Goodman, Joan Grossel, Barbara Guter, Posy Havens, Bill Hubbard, Jack Kerber, Lorie Kerber, Michael Miller, Madelyn Mirwald, Marty Saia, Valerie Stafford-Mallis, Robert Swiatek, Valerie Voutsas, and Douglas Webber.

New Team Captain - A big thank you to Lahin Khan, who has agreed to serve as Team Captain for Team 1. Lahin recently graduated from the June 2021 Basic Training Class.

CERT in Netflix series - While watching the first episode of "Human: The World Within," Deb and Don Diven saw CERT featured during the segment which follows a hurricane Maria survivor. They noted that it is interesting to see how CERTs in Puerto Rico train for search and rescue.

Cynthia Olcott (left), Karen Lilly, Paul Jackowski, Valerie Stafford-Mallis, Sam Mallis, Alan Blair (graduated 6/26/21), and Patt Staley covered 8 bullet points for their Hurricane season briefing during their recent Team 8 meeting that was fun, awesome and great, according to team members. Not pictured is photographer and Team Captain Mike Staley.

In addition to the 5 pairs of exam gloves, yards of ace bandages, gauze pads and numerous other medical supplies, each LWR CERT member is equipped with a 18" SAM Splint in their backpack.

SAM Splints are globally acclaimed by emergency care providers, outdoor enthusiasts, the U.S. military and even NASA! The splint is lightweight, reusable and has a cleanable exterior. The SAM Splint's two layers of foam and aluminum interior can also be cut to size with ordinary scissors.

The SAM Splint is easily molded into a C-Curve and used with wrap or tape to provide necessary strength to support any fractured or injured limb. Bend it back into its original form to store or remold for a separate injury.

Check your backpack today and spend a few minutes with your Sam Splint. For tips and details on using the Sam Splint, visit the SAM Splint Training here.

Have a volunteer opportunity you'd like to share in an upcoming newsletter? Email details and links to: Communications@LWRCERT.org