The new LWR CERT logo better represents life in Lakewood Ranch. It was approved by the Board at their September meeting and incorporates aspects of LWR including single family homes, apartment and condo buildings, palms trees and our iconic sandhill cranes.

Being mindful of budget and time, existing items will not be updated. The logo will be used whenever feasible going forward. The standard CERT logo also continues to represent our organization and will be used on items such as backpacks, which are provided by Manatee County.

It's time for the last LWR CERT event for 2020. All members are encouraged to join us for our annual Member Meeting and Election - it'll be a virtual event, because, well, 2020.

The meeting begins promptly at 7 PM with the Election of Officers. This year, there is one Board position available and one candidate. We'll vote virtually, in real time, and, unlike some elections, you'll know the results of this one before the meeting is done!

Pat Knowles is running for a seat on the Board. Pat has been a member of LWR CERT since 2014 and is currently serving as the organization's treasurer. He teaches First Aid during Basic Training and Skills Refreshers and is known for his excellent hurricane prep presentations.

The meeting concludes with LWR CERT President Jim Emanuelson highlighting our organization's accomplishments during 2020, even during COVID times, and what's ahead for 2021.

This is a 2020 Active Responder event.

Test your Basic Skills knowledge with this short video exam

The LWR CERT Training team revised Basic Training this year to match the recently released revised FEMA curriculum. Unfortunately, COVID shutdowns forced the cancellation of all Basic Training sessions this year.

Beginning with the next LWR CERT Basic Training course, currently scheduled for February 2021, all graduates must pass a Final Exam based on their knowledge of CERT and CERT skills.

Do you think you could pass the Final Exam? Ready to take on the challenge? You can. Visit the LWR CERT YouTube channel and watch the "Refresher Questions" 18-minute video. We encourage you to pause the video if you want to research the answers or if the answer revels are too quick. Click the graphic above to watch the video and test your knowledge.

This is a 2020 Active Responder video. LWR CERT members who watch the 18-minute video and send an email to cert@lwrcert.org with their name and team number will be awarded 2020 Active Responder credit.

Do you remember when and how to transmit over your LWR CERT radio?

Do you know which messages should be given priority and where each message goes?

Check out this chart, prepared by the Radio Communications Committee, that defines the priority and timing of radio messages. Got questions? Contact your Team Captain.

We heard from many members who were unable to attend the September Skills Refresher who asked if the session could be recorded. Nigel Pilling, Training Manager, was more than happy to oblige.

The recording of the 90-minute Sept. 26 Skills Refresher session has been uploaded to the LWR CERT YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/LWRCERTYouTube. It has been divided into five separate videos in a Playlist. Below are the 5 videos with their run times. Click on each title to access the individual video or click here to go through the Playlist.

Happy November birthday to members Dick Amesbury, Don Avolio, Tammy Barg, Robert Dapper, Bruce Engel, David Forgash, Marvin Guter, Deborah Jernigan, Douglas Rettew, Brian Thompson and Gerard Toner.

2020 Active Responders: As of October, there are 102 Tier 1 2020 Active Responders and 45 Tier 2 2020 Active Responders. Congratulations!

Team Captains: Mark your calendars: Kit Return is set for Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 - 10:30 AM. Watch your inboxes for reminders and the address of of the new storage unit facility.

Correction: In the October newsletter, Jan Kuhn's career was misidentified. She is a clinical social worker.