From the top
Hello,
As current events are unfolding, 2020 is delivering some very unexpected challenges to our ability to feel safe. LWR CERT members are here if you need something. We are only a phone call away.
The seclusion required to battle this pandemic is making it difficult for us to experience the camaraderie and good times of our LWR-wide team coming together. Our mission includes both 1) safety education and 2) helping our neighbors in an emergency. LWR CERT members are valued even if they cannot deploy after a storm this year. They can help by educating neighbors and keeping their backpack ready so supplies are available if there is an emergency on their street. “There is a place for everybody in CERT.”
Pat Knowles
and the Logistics Committee completed a successful Team Kit Distribution last weekend. Many thanks to the team for helping us get ready for hurricane season.
The Radio Communications Committee is working to help our teams complete tests of their team radios using new frequencies this year. So far, 10 of our teams have completed their radio test. Thank you to the radio hubs, Team Captains, and members who tested their radios.
The pandemic has forced us to eliminate all in-person meetings through the end of June. However, we have been preparing some new guidelines for deploying during a pandemic. Members will be receiving details about video calls and virtual meetings in the next few weeks as we prepare for this year’s hurricane season.
Stay safe!
Jim Emanuelson
President, LWR CERT
850.396.2695
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Skills Refresher Course available on YouTube
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LWR CERT now has a YouTube channel.
The first video uploaded by the Training Committee is a member Skills Refresher.
"Your Backpack and What Is In It" offers a quick review of your CERT backpack along with a few tips and tricks of other items you may want to add to your supplies.
The video was uploaded to YouTube in mid-May and has already been viewed more than 80 times by members! Our thanks to
Nigel Pilling and
Pat Knowles for creating this first-ever online Skills Refresher.
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Congratulations to the members who have already qualified!
Active Responder 2020 award distribution has begun
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The Active Responder awards program, introduced in 2019, is back again this year -- this time as a two-tier awards program. As of the end of May, 77 members have already qualified for the Tier 1 award and 23 have qualified for Tier 2.
Tier 1 - Removable Car Sticker
Awarded to members who
- Participate actively on a committee (attend at least 2 meetings or complete at least 3 hours of volunteering – based on Committee Manager) OR
- Serve as a Team Captain OR
- Attend 2 meetings or 1 meeting and view a training video OR
- Attend a training session (including the simulation) OR
- Recruit 1 neighbor into LWR CERT (based on member application)
Tier 2 - Cooling Towel (a great addition to your backpack)
Awarded to members who
- Attend 3 training sessions (including the simulation) OR
- Attend at least 4 member meetings OR
- Any combination of 5 of the following LWR CERT activities: serve as a Team Captain, attend a meeting(s), view training video, attend training session, participate in simulation exercise and participate on a committee OR
- Recruit 3 neighbors into LWR CERT (based on member application) OR
- Volunteer 40 hours to LWR CERT (based on Committee Manager)
Congratulations to these members who have earned 2020 Active Responder awards. Awards will be distributed by their Team Captains shortly.
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LWR CERT provides hurricane prep info to ABC-7 news
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When ABC-7 News - WWSB was looking for information for a hurricane preparedness news story, they turned to LWR CERT.
During a video interview,
Nigel Pilling, LWR CERT Training Manager, provided valuable insights on how to strengthen your home as part of hurricane p
reparations.
Nigel covered several aspects of home hardening including "Windows are a vulnerable area both from a wind perspective, and also from a water perspective. People don't think about water that could come through the sides of the windows."
Click the photo above to watch the video segment, originally broadcast on the May 7 ABC-7 newscast.
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Teams pick up Kits - Contactless and Ready for 2020 Hurricanes
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Thanks to the hard, hot work of the social-distancing, masked Logistics Committee (top photo, from left,
Patt Staley, Larry Lemley,Tony Gula, Mike Staley, and Logistics Manager
Pat Knowles) and our wonderful Team Captains, the 2020 Team Kit Pick Up was completed safely and expediently on Saturday, May 30. Teams now have their team supplies in their neighborhoods, ready for the 2020 Hurricane Season. New in team kits this year are cold packs, surgical masks, and new forms for team kit folders.
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Happy June birthday to members
Maria Ade, Norma Ballard, Carole Bernard, Robin Brill, Mel Davis, Bob Donato, Betty Drzal, Jim Emanuelson, Kris Hoekman, Irene Jimenez, Laura Lando, David Mills, Ron Ogrodnik, Kalena Ostrovsky, Robert Rae, Stan Schuer,
and
Tim Sherer.
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Upcoming LWR CERT Meetings and Training
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Communications Committee - Video Call
- Tuesday, June 2 at 4:30 PM
Board Meeting - Video Call -
Monday, June 8 at 7 PM
Operations Committee - Video Call
- Thursday, June 11 at 6 PM
Radio Communications Committee - Video Call
- Wednesday, June 17 at 7 PM
CANCELED: Basic Training Session
- June 4 - 13
CANCELED: Public Session: Hurricane Preparedness
- June 15
CANCELED: IC/TC Workshop Training
- June 27
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2020 LWR CERT Executive Committee
LWR CERT 941.404.8606
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Special thanks to
Diane Anderson
for her amazing proofreading skills
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Like us on Facebook for LWRCERT news & severe weather updates
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for notifications on new videos
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