November 2021

Happy Fall! We're grateful for our members, the LWR community and you for your continued support. We hope to see all of you at our 15th Anniversary Celebration in Adventure Park Jan. 22.

From the top

We cannot be in November without giving thanks for our health, family and wonderful neighbors who volunteer with CERT. Our friends in LWR CERT make great neighbors. Thank you.
 
In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. Something to consider this holiday season -- make sure a fire extinguisher is available in your kitchen.
 
Daylight Savings Time ends November 7. Consider using that extra hour checking your fire extinguisher and putting new batteries in your smoke detectors.
 
As of October 29, our COVID positivity in Manatee County is down to 3.3% and 68% of our population over age 11 is vaccinated. We were able to start another CERT Basic Training class in October. Thanks to the recruiting efforts of Deb Diven, Margaret Davis and Valerie Voutsas, we not only filled the class, but we had to turn people away! It is great to see people in our community showing interest in learning how to keep their families safe.
 
We are nearing the end of Hurricane Season 2021. The temperature in the Gulf at Venice was 77 on Saturday, much improved from 87 in July. While this reduces our hurricane risk, other risks exist. We had a Tornado Watch on Thursday. Storm fronts can bring tornados and flooding at any time. Stay prepared -- stay safe.
 
Our annual member meeting will be this coming Wednesday, November 3. I hope to see many members there, smiling behind your masks.

Jim Emanuelson
President, LWR CERT
850.396.2695
UPCOMING: Annual Member Meeting & Election
The Annual Member Meeting and Election is set for Wednesday, November 3 at 7 PM.

This will be the last meeting of the year. The meeting will be held both in-person at Town Hall and virtually.

Along with hearing highlights of the 2021 year, attendees will vote for the 2022 Board. Voting will take place using a special website and your cell phone. Paper ballots will be available at Town Hall for those in-person without cell phone access.

Following the election, some of your favorite Team Captains will present their favorite safety hacks and tips. You might be surprised at what you'll learn!
The Annual Member Meeting and Election is a 2021 Active Responder event.
Recap: October Basic Training - Days 1 and 2
One of the largest Basic Training courses is underway with 27 residents registered. The first two sessions were held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Oct. 13 and Oct. 16. Attendees will complete their training Nov. 6. Watch for the traditional fire truck graduation photo in the December newsletter.

If you're interested in attending a Basic Training course in 2022, you're in luck! We are currently planning four sessions. As soon as our meeting space arrangements are finalized, we'll publish the dates. In the meantime, you can learn more about our Basic Training here. Thanks!
15th Anniversary Celebration plans being finalized
Mark your calendar and plan to join us

Do you have a party tent or pop-up tent (similar to 10x10 EZ tent). or an 6' or 8' table that we could borrow for the event? Please let Karen Emanuelson know if you have one (or more) you would be willing to lend us for the Celebration on January 22, 2022 at Adventure Park.
Special thanks to Diane Anderson, Karen Emanuelson, Connie Farmer, Jan Kuhn, Kay Marcus, Kalena Ostrosky, Rich Raymond, Jerry Toner and Sheila White who have planned an amazing, activity-packed 2-hour community celebration.
Member News and Things to Know
white_pink_birthday_cake.jpg
Happy November birthday to members Robert Dapper, Bruce Engel, David Forgash, Marvin Guter, Deborah Jernigan, Mike Modisett, Douglas Rettew, Brian Thompson and Gerard Toner.

Backpack Refresh - Now that we're in the last month of Hurricane Season, members are encouraged to take a few minutes to empty out your backpack and see if any of your supplies need to be replaced. Bandages get brittle and yellow or packaging may have torn, making them unsterile. You can get free replacements of all backpack items, except batteries. Just let your Team Captain know what you need and he/she will make arrangements with our Logistics team. Your backpack will be ready for the 2022 season.
Team Kit Drop Off - Team Captains - Save the Date: Team Kit Drop Off has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 - 10:30 AM. Bring your Team Kits and any outstanding waivers from your team members.

ERCN Quarterly Test - The Radio Communications Committee conducted a successful test of the Emergency Radio Communications Network on Oct. 2. The IC Jim Emanuelson was joined by Hub 2 - Stan Schuer, Hub 3 - Jack Kerber, Hub 4 - Mark Marcus, Hub 5 - Nick Frederick, Hub 6 - Frank Gianonne, Hub 7 - Gordon Kuhn, Team 8 Team Captain Mike Staley, and our Medical Director Dr. Rich Paul. No issues were detected, This was the last quarterly test of 2021.
And you thought you had it tough these past few years...
Manatee County Emergency Management has coordinated response to a number of emergencies in the past two years.

Check out the local emergencies noted in red below that Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer and his team have encountered here in Manatee County. We thank Steve and his team for helping to keep us safe and for sharing this information with the attendees of our October Basic Training course.
Volunteer Opportunities
Part of the LWR CERT Mission Statement is to provide safety support for our community, so we are sharing individual volunteer opportunities our members may wish to consider.
 
Local Feeding Events - Feeding Tampa Bay
  • Manatee County Mega Pantry: Every Tuesday 3 - 6:30 PM (feed 900+ families) Location: Desoto Mall, Hungry Howie's side, 303 301 Blvd W, Bradenton 34205 

Have a volunteer opportunity you'd like to share in an upcoming newsletter? Email details and links to: Communications@LWRCERT.org
Upcoming LWR CERT Meetings and Training
Annual Member Meeting and Election - Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 PM Advance registration required
LWR CERT Basic Training - Continues Thursday, Nov. 4 Advance registration required
Board Meeting - Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 PM; this will be the last Board meeting of 2021
15th Anniversary Planning Committee - Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 10 AM at Greenbrook Adventure Park
Operations Committee - Video Call - Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6 PM
Training Committee - Video Call - Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 4 PM

SAVE THE DATE: LWR CERT 15th Anniversary Community Celebration - Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 11 AM at Adventure Park
LWR CERT Executive Committee

President - Jim Emanuelson
Vice President - Jan Kuhn
Treasurer - Pat Knowles
Liaison - Deb Diven

LWR CERT 941.404.8606
Newsletter Editor - Karen Emanuelson, Communications Manager

Newsletter Proofreader - Diane Anderson

Send comments, suggestions, and photos for future issues to communications@lwrcert.org