From the top
Our thoughts are with the people in Louisiana and Mississippi as we watch the news about Hurricane Ida. If you are interested in helping, please consider sending a cash donation using a reputable charitable organization. Sending water, clothing or other products is more difficult for the relief agencies to deal with as these supplies may not come in the right format for distribution.
In August, our Group Leaders and ham radio operators completed a successful quarterly test of our Emergency Radio Communications Network. We do this to ensure that our equipment is working and that we are practiced in using it so that we can call for help when telephones are not working. Our volunteers do this to stay prepared and we thank them for their support of our neighborhoods.
Please watch the weather this month as September is the most likely month of the year for a severe storm to impact our area. The good news is that, as I write this today, we do not see any storms that are coming at us.
Our next member meeting is scheduled for September 28. I hope to see everybody there, even if we need to hold the meeting via video conference technology. Coronavirus cases are raging in our area right now. Please stay safe.
Jim Emanuelson
President, LWR CERT
850.396.2695
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UPCOMING: Member Meeting Sept. 28 |
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The next Member Meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 PM. The meeting is scheduled to be conducted at Town Hall AND virtually, providing members the option to attend the meeting in the most convenient way.
Paul Chetlain, Lakewood Ranch IDA Director of Operations, will be the featured speaker. Paul will provide a behind-the-scenes presentation showcasing how IDA Operations prepares Lakewood Ranch for storms. He'll explain steps the IDA takes as a storm is approaching as well as their procedures and priorities after a storm. You'll learn what Operations can and can't do for individual residents after a storm as well as the role LWR CERT members can play to help Operations ensure the safety of LWR residents.
There will be time for Q&A.
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The September Member meeting is a 2021 Active Responder event. |
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UPCOMING: LWR Hurricane Prep Event set for Sept. 20 |
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Out of an abundance of caution, due to the rise in Covid cases, LWR CERT cancelled the in-person Aug. 21 Hurricane Prep event scheduled for Town Hall. Instead, registrants were encouraged to watch one of the hurricane prep videos available on the LWR CERT YouTube channel.
Some residents have requested we try to schedule another in-person Hurricane Prep event for Town Hall. We're happy to oblige -- and will notify all registrants if we need to cancel this upcoming event due to Covid.
The next Hurricane Prep event is set for
Monday, Sept. 20
7 - 8:30 PM
LWR Town Hall
This important hurricane preparedness information event is free and open to the public. Doors will open 30 minutes early for viewing of the Hurricane Prep supplies display.
To allow for social distancing, seating is limited. Click below for details and registration.
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The Hurricane Prep session is a 2021 Active Responder Qualifying Event. |
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RECAP: Quarterly ECRN Test |
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Six hubs, 13 teams and our IC participated in a quarterly test of the LWR CERT Emergency Communications Radio Network on Saturday, Aug. 14.
The test was a success, helping identify the need to replace an IC radio due to static and low power. We're sure glad that Team Captain participated in the quarterly test and had his group's IC radio replaced before an actual activation.
Thanks to all who participated.
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LWR CERT named 2021 Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence for NWS Tampa Bay |
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Wow! LWR CERT has been recognized by the National Weather Service Tampa Bay for our efforts sharing weather safety and preparedness information.
Thanks to Daniel Noah, NWS Tampa Bay area, for nominating us for this award. Dan spoke at our January member meeting and was impressed with how active our CERT members are.
We are honored to receive this recognition.
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Looking for ways to get more involved with CERT? There are many opportunities for you to share your time and talents. Here are some of our current needs: |
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15th Anniversary Celebration: We're planning a community-wide celebration at Adventure Park from 11 AM - 1 PM Jan. 22, 2022 and need many more volunteers to ensure the event is a success.
We'd love to hear your ideas for who to include in our lineup of partnering organizations, how we should get the community excited to attend, and which food trucks we should invite. Click on the photo to hear the musician we've booked, Steve Junot.
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What do you think we should include in our Celebration? Can you help us with "boots on the ground" day-of event activities such as staffing a LWR CERT info booth or directing vehicles where to park? Let us know how and where you'd like to pitch in. Contact 15th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator Karen Emanuelson.
Thanks to the Communications Committee and those individual members who have already stepped up and agreed to help! It's sure to be a great celebration!
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15th Anniversary Celebration: 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 Jan. 22, 2022 at Adventure Park.
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Radio Communications Committee: We've heard from several Hub Operators that they plan to retire at the end of the year.
To facilitate communications during activations, we need a few special members willing to step up to learn how to serve as Hub Operators.
You supply the brain power, and LWR CERT supplies all the equipment. We will even provide resources for you to pass your FCC exam! Contact Interim Radio Communications Committee Manager Jim Emanuelson.
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Member News and Things to Know |
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Happy September birthday to members Samuel Acquaviva, Lenoire Bredt, Marty Burton, Barb Clemons, Marvin Crepea, Barb Davey, Connie Farmer, Barbara Hickey, Karen Lemley, Vijay Mahadeo, Todd Martin, Nigel Pilling, Susan Strahs, and Sheila White
National Terrorism Advisory - While CERT members do not respond to terrorist attacks, the Aug. 13 advisory from Homeland Security reminds everyone that it is smart to keep our eyes open. If you notice something unusual, notify the appropriate authorities.
Speedy Website - Thanks to our Operations Manager, Dave Cashbaugh, for his work on the backend of our website. Dave recently increased the page speed on www.lwrcert.org to 4.3 seconds, down from 18.2 seconds, a 400+% increase in the page speed!
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Team 26 Team Meeting - Team 26 Captain Connie Farmer organized a team meeting at Town Hall Aug. 23. All 10 team members reviewed the contents of their backpacks, discussed their activation territory and agreed to conduct a radio test on Aug. 28.
Did you know - A recent LWR CERT Facebook post regarding potential storm surge threats in LWR due to T.S. Elsa reached 4,523 people on Facebook, generating 915 engagements. Like us on the LWR CERT Facebook page for timely, local storm updates and warnings, hurricane preparedness tips and #WeatherReady information.
Steel Toe Tennis Shoes - Thanks to Jean Hritz, we learned that steel-toe tennis shoes are a thing! You can find them locally at Wal-Mart and Kohls and at numerous places online. Just the thing to wear during activation -- comfy shoes that provide safety.
Bookmark this site - Want to know the current forecast from the National Hurricane Center? Here's where to find the latest information: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
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What's Inside Your LWR CERT Backpack? |
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Medical Supplies: Bandages
Inside their almost 10-pound green backpacks, LWR CERT members carry an amazing assortment of medical supplies to aid in emergency first aid, should the need arise.
In addition to 5 pairs of vinyl exam gloves, there are bandages of different sizes which can be used to help render aid in different situations. From a pack of standard Band-aid adhesive bandages to a 10" x 30" sterile trauma dressing, there are more than half a dozen types in your backpack.
Three triangular bandages include 2 safety pins and make excellent slings. Four rolls of Ace type bandages, each 2" x 2 yards, are compression "elastic bandages" made of stretchable cloth that can be wrapped around a strain or sprain. The gentle pressure of the bandage helps reduce swelling and ease pain.
Two packages of 2" x 5 yards of flexible bandages are self-adhesive, so no clips or fasteners are needed. These maintain consistent compression and are latex-free.
2 rolls of gauze and 10 4"x4" gauze pads (individually wrapped) are ideal for general cleaning, dressings, prepping, and packing wounds. They may also be used as temporary absorbent dressing over wounds.
A 10" x 30" trauma dressing offers greater absorbency, protection and padding and features a moisture resistant barrier while wicking quickly. Two sterile Combine ABD pads are designed for use when high absorbency is needed. A roll of waterproof adhesive tape and EMT type scissors help keep the gauze, trauma dressing, and ABD pads in place.
Members should check your backpack today and locate and identify the different types of bandages inside. As a reminder to members, backpack supplies may be used whenever the need arises, whether activating as part of a LWR CERT team or as an individual helping out a neighbor or an accident survivor.
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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
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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
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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
Communications/15th Anniversary Planning Committee - Video Call - Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 4 PM
Operations Committee - Video Call - Thursday, Sept, 9 at 6 PM
Board Meeting - Video Call - Monday, Sep. 13 at 7 PM
Radio Communications Committee - Thursday, Sept. 16 at 7 PM
CANCELLED: Skills Refresher - Thursday, Sept. 16
CANCELLED: Basic Training - Sept. 14 - 25
Hub Radio Test - Saturday, Oct. 2 at 9 AM
SAVE THE DATE: LWR CERT 15th Anniversary Community Celebration - Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 11 AM at Adventure Park
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LWR CERT Executive Committee
LWR CERT 941.404.8606
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Newsletter Proofreader - Diane Anderson
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