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LWR CERT News & Updates
So far, our area is not predicted to receive substantial damage from Hurricane Dorian. While the LWR CERT Executive Committee is not currently recommending our members activate, they have asked all members to remain vigilant in case Dorian makes a turn to the west.
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Congratulations to our newest members!
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Congratulations to the recent graduates of the LWR CERT Basic Skills Training session (from left) Front row: Valerie Voutsas, Ken Strahs, Susan Strahs, Diane Anderson, Jean Hritz, Margaret Davis, Sharon Lanaghan (Esplanade resident), and Eileen Cashbaugh
. Middle row: Karen Goodman, Brenda Nusbaum, Lou Goodman, Norma Ballard, Jan Runci, Janis Ballard (current member), Mel Davis, Karen Lilly, and Bill Quaid. Back row: Bruce Bedford, Steve Voutsas, Mike Runci, Mary Agnes Lilly, Bob Dapper, Kalena Ostrosky, Dave Cashbaugh and Marty Saia. Not pictured: Mollie Saia. Thank you to the members of the East Manatee Fire Rescue for their training assistance including Cpt. Paul Wren (pictured far right).
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With a graduating class of 26, the August BASIC training course was one of the largest and most engaging groups of new CERT volunteers. In addition to the 24 newly graduated members of LWR CERT, the course was audited by current member
Janis Ballard
and completed by an Esplande resident who is exploring starting a CERT chapter in her area.
Thanks to the Training Committee and all the great instructors and administrative support, LWR CERT membership now stands at 223!
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Almost 50 members ventured out on a rainy, stormy evening Aug. 8 to hear local American Red Cross representatives discuss "blue sky" volunteer opportunities and ways community members can get involved with the ARC as Event-Based Volunteers. Team 25 wins the
Most Members in Attendance award. Congratulations!
Before the ARC presentation, members engaged in an interactive mini skills activity where everyone in attendance was given a neon green bandana to add to their backpack supplies -- after they provided the rest of the group with a resourceful way to use the bandana. Ideas included as arm slings and tourniquets, eye patches, cool compresses and ice packs, breathing masks, hand protection, emergency response markers and even as an emergency fuel source!
Click here discover 52 reasons to carry a bandana in your CERT backpack.
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News You Can Use and Other Interesting Tidbits
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Hurricane Preparedness:
The last Hurricane Preparedness session of 2019 is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 - 10:30 AM at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Attending a Hurricane Preparedness session is the first step toward membership in LWR CERT. Current members are encouraged to attend as a refresher. Registration will close when we reach capacity.
Click here for Sept. 14th details and registration
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Invite your neighbors. Click the photo to access the event flyer.
Facts to Ponder:
Manatee County only has 20 ambulances to cover 90 square miles and 400,000 residents. According to Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer, there are only 8 First-In Teams to cover those same 90 square miles (assuming they are all staffed and ready to deploy). Now, suppose there is one First-In Team assigned to the Lakewood Ranch area, and assuming it is able to deploy, think about how long it would take for that one team to cover all the streets in all the neighborhoods in the greater LWR area, stopping to clear blocked streets as they go and rendering what aid they can render. Talk to your neighbors. LWR CERT needs more volunteer members to help our neighbors before professional first responders arrive.
Volunteer Opportunity - K9 Decoy: The TSA Explosive Detection Canine Teams at Tampa International Airport are looking for volunteers to participate as decoys. K9 Decoys bring a suitcase and role-play a traveling passenger in live scenario training session with TPA canines. Bring a family member or friend or come on your own. Children can participate as long as they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Call Canine Supervisor Reggie Ross at 941-408-3852 or email
Reggie.Ross@tsa.dhs.gov for details. Upon completion, you will receive a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ from the Department of Homeland Security.
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Tony Vasile
recently turned in his resignation from the Board. Tony will be moving out of Lakewood Ranch in the coming weeks. We thank him for his work with the Board, the Radio Committee and the Operations Committee. Best of luck, Tony!
SKYWARN Spotters: Congratulations to
Jim Emanuelson, Karen Emanuelson, Jack Kerber and
Tim Sherer who completed the National Weather Service SKYWARN Spotter Training Course Aug 15. They are now part of the Tampa Bay area program which helps the National Weather Service by spotting and reporting severe weather.
Thanks to
Marty Saia for agreeing to serve as Team Captain for Team #26, allowing for the re-formation of Team #27.
Jerry Buhr is now Team Captain for Team #27.
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LWR CERT Radio Communications Committee
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East Manatee Fire Rescue has a direct radio link to our ham radio operators and to each of our Incident Commanders in the field via the IC radios each team is issued. During an emergency, East Manatee Fire Rescue can ask how extensive damage is, which roads are blocked, extent of damage and injuries, request that victims be moved to a central location for EMS pickup, etc.
East Manatee Fire Rescue has also given us a radio room for our use at Fire Station 6 (across from Rosedale on SR70.) It is a Cat 5 certified building and antenna tower, has its own power, and is staffed 24/7 during a disaster. We have two ham radio operators who are prepared to station themselves there as an additional backup. All our ham radio operators train there regularly, and they can reach any location in Lakewood Ranch or Manatee County from that location.
Our Radio Communications Committee is looking for more members to become licensed amateur radio operators. Interested in learning more? Email us at
lwr.cert@gmail.com
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There's an App for That - NIOSH Heat Safety Tool
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Whether you're working in your garden or performing search & rescue after a hurricane in the heat, safety comes first. With the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available right on your mobile phone.
The App calculates the heat index based on your phone's location and displays a risk level for outdoor work. It offers protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect you from heat-related illness.
The app also includes information on signs and symptoms of heat illness and how to monitor each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
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Upcoming LWR CERT Meetings and Training
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Meetings take place at LWR Town Hall unless otherwise noted and are open to all members
Membership and Communications Committee
- Open to all members. Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4 PM
Operations Committee
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Open to all members. Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4:30 PM
Hurricane Preparedness
(Open to public)
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Last scheduled hurricane preparedness session for 2019. Qualifies as prerequisite for CERT Basic training course. Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9 AM
Radio Committee
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Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 PM
AM First Aid Skills Workshop -
Registration required.
Saturday, Sept. 21 9 AM - NOON.
PM First Aid Skills Workshop -
Registration required.
Saturday, Sept. 21 1 - 4 PM.
Board Election and General Member Meeting
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Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 PM
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Click the Facebook logo and like our Facebook page
to stay on top of LWR CERT news
and the latest severe weather updates
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