November CERT news for our Lakewood Ranch friends

November 2019

LWR CERT News & Updates

We're almost through 2019 Hurricane Season. Fingers crossed it remains quiet, and your hurricane supplies stay unused.

Memorable October Member Meeting

We had a full house at the Oct. 21 Member Meeting featuring the annual election of Board members and a fascinating speaker.

Manatee County resident Joe Chilberg shared first-hand experiences of surviving Hurricane Dorian while vacationing in the Bahamas with his partner, Sandra Houghton, and their friends. His presentation was filled with humor and insight and also included some heart-wrenching, amazing video of life during and immediately after a hurricane.

Here are some of Joe's Hurricane Survival "Lessons Learned":

Storm surge always wins
Understand hurricanes -- counterclockwise rotation and characteristics of each side
Irma blew the water OUT of Tampa Bay - eye was to the east
Dorian blew water INTO Marsh Harbour - direct hit or eye was to the west
Tornadoes are more prevalent on the NE side
No power means no fuel pumps. Generators are vital
Have VHF radios, an ax, crowbar, rope and hypothermia supplies on hand
Also need lots of bottled water to drink, bleach for cleaning, and surgical gloves
Other necessities include flashlights, batteries, and a way to charge cell phones and computers
Pickup trucks/tall vehicles can drive through flooded streets easier than low sedans

Those in attendance won't soon forget the heartache and devastation Joe shared but we will remember the resilience and great attitude that helped him and his companions survive such a life-altering experience.

Board of Directors Elections

Congratulations to Valerie Stafford-Mallis, David Mills and Jan Kuhn, who were elected to the LWR CERT Board for three-year terms beginning in 2020.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Oct. 21 Member Meeting and cast your ballot for these amazing volunteers.

Immediately following the Oct. 21 Member Meeting, the Board held a special meeting to elect its officers for 2020.

The 2020 slate of officers elected unanimously by the Board members present was:

President - Jim Emanuelson
Vice President - Jan Kuhn
Treasurer - Valerie Stafford-Mallis
Secretary - Deb Diven

Congratulations! We look forward to a great year under your leadership and guidance.

October Basic Skills Course Graduates - Looking Good!

Welcome and congratulations to our newest members pictured in the traditional LWR CERT Basic Skills course graduation photo alongside our friends from East Manatee Fire Rescue District.

Front row: Engineer Carpenter, Kim Summers, Mark Boutote, Connie Farmer, Firefighter Bjork

Second row: Engineer Beecher, Judy Johnson, Carol Tillman (CCE) , Mollie Saia, Cynthia Olcott, Tricia Bauer

Third row: Firefighter Burns, Lt. LaPlante, John Rocco, Dennis Johnson, Arnie Tillman (CCE) , Jeff Meyers (Del Webb) , Larry Hansen, Mike Resetarits, Valerie Stafford-Mallis, Sam Mallis, Firefighter Hoeksema

Not pictured: Doug and Sandra Rettew

Member News

Congratulations to member Don O'Leary who received the 2019 Congressional Career Service award on Oct. 9 from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. Don spent 30 years with the New York City Fire Dept. before retiring to Florida and has advocated for fire safety in LWR. He is one of the founders of LWR CERT. This photo of Don appeared in the East County Observer when he retired as Fire Commissioner for the East Manatee Fire Rescue District in August.

Congratulations to Tom Hickey for stepping up and taking over the Membership committee. Tom will be responsible for membership, recruiting and member engagement activities.

2019 LWR CERT Officers

President - Victor Kline

Vice President - Deb Diven

Treasurer - Pat Knowles

Secretary - Marilyn Kline

Newsletter Editor - Karen Emanuelson , Marketing Communications Committee

Send comments, suggestions, and photos for future issues to lwr.cert@gmail.com

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