Happy March! I will borrow from an Irish saying when thinking about fellow CERT members

We are now about 90 days from the start of hurricane season. Recent supply chain shortages may become amplified when a hurricane is predicted for LWR. If you wait until a storm is headed our way, you may not be able to get the supplies you need. Start stocking your hurricane supplies now -- a few at a time -- as you find items available.

Does your neighborhood have a CERT team with 15-20 members ready to help you and your neighbors should a disaster strike? If you don't know, ask your neighborhood chair and consider registering for one of our upcoming Basic Training courses. Our next Basic Training course begins March 30. Check out www.lwrcert.org/join for details.

President, LWR CERT

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the Emergency Operations Center?

LWR CERT members will have an opportunity to visit the Manatee County EOC and to learn first-hand how it all works. Members may register up to 3 guests (18+ please) to attend the event with them. EOC 101 will be an educational, eye-opening experience for all who attend. There will be time for Q&A after the presentation.

Do you know what to do during the first few critical moments when your pet is choking, having a seizure or has sustained an injury? In just 90 minutes, you'll learn valuable information that could make the difference in the outcome of a potentially bad situation for your pet.

The event is free and open to the public. The session begins at 9 AM Saturday, March 12 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Reservations are required. Be sure to get there early to register for the door prize, generously donated by DOG Perfect.

Dr. Terry Clekis, former owner and medical director of Braden River Animal Hospital, will provide pet owners with specific steps to take should their pets require emergency first aid. You'll also hear hurricane prep tips for pet owners, what to pack in your pet go-bag, and what supplies to have on hand when a hurricane is predicted for LWR.

Seating is limited. Advance registration is required.

After a brief update on LWR CERT events and news by President Jim Emanuelson, June 2021 Basic Training graduate Steve Bloom shared personal experiences from his decades as a first responder as he refreshed members of the nine steps to conducting a size-up.

Then, the night took a competitive turn as attendees at Town Hall were divided into two teams -- Team Search (Mr. Mike Staley spokesperson) and Team Rescue (Lorraine Wright spokesperson). The teams showed their prowess in CERT Jeopardy categories with answers ranging from "What is water?" to "What is CERT?" to "What is Mount Vesuvius?" With VP Dave Cashbaugh serving as judge and scorekeeper, the teams battled through multiple ties until Team Rescue ended the evening $600 ahead of Team Search. In the neighborly spirit of LWR CERT, Team Rescue shared their winnings -- a CERT helmet filled with snickers -- with members of Team Search.

Door prize drawings concluded the evening. Lorraine Wright won an LWR CERT cooler bag filled with CERT goodies and a giant teddy bear, donated by Orchid Cove at Venice and Membership Manager Bruce Bedford and his family. Jack Mathews won a pair of theater tickets donated anonymously by a member. We thank all who attended and contributed to the laughter-filled meeting.

Nigel Pilling has accepted a position on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and will serve as LWR CERT Liaison to outside organizations.

He plans to continue in his roles as Technology Manager and Training Manager.

Bruce Bedford joined the Board of Directors with a term expiring at the end of 2022. The Board elected him to this position at their February meeting on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

He plans to continue in his role as Membership Manager.

Mike Defferding has accepted the role of Neighborhood Engagement Manager. Mike will oversee efforts to grow the LWR CERT membership roster and to increase the number of Phase 1 residents graduating from Basic Training.

Mike is a member of Team 36 and graduated from Basic Training June 2021.

Bud Goetzinger (KG4BUD) has accepted the role of Radio Communications Committee Manager. Bud will be responsible for coordinating the LWR CERT Emergency Radio Communications Network and working with local hams.

Bud graduated from Basic Training November 2021.

Jack Kerber (KJ4ICP) is retiring from LWR CERT and stepping down from his role as our Emergency Radio Communications Network Hub 3. Jack graduated from the very first LWR CERT Basic Training course in January 2007 and has been an active member ever since.

Jack was recognized for his 15 years of service to the organization at our Celebrate Lakewood Ranch anniversary event. He was recently presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to the LWR CERT community as Hub 3.

Enjoy retirement, Jack!

Bud Goetzinger will step in to serve as the new ERCN Hub 3, working with teams 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 during activations. Bud is also the new Radio Communications Committee Manager.

Bud is a member of team XA, a special team designation for those living outside of our Phase 1 service area who provide active support for our members. He lives in The Isles at Lakewood Ranch.

Members of LWR CERT have a plan -- and each member has a radio to use to communicate in case of disaster or emergency.

Check out the schedule of upcoming Basic Training courses and register today before the courses fill up. Visit www.lwrcert.org/join for details.

Click here to learn how you can earn points toward Active Responder awards or visit the Member Section of our website, www.lwrcert.org.

Happy March birthday to members Tom Bishop, Sandra Bruce, Robert Flinton, Paula Grammas, Tony Gula, Kay Marcus, Chris Martin, Denny Noto, Cynthia Olcott, Judy Plerhoples, Patt Staley, Paul Townsley, Stephen Voutsas, Jeff Williams, and Lauri Willson

Correction/Omission- Sheila White should have been listed as a volunteer for our Celebrate Lakewood Ranch 15th Anniversary event. As a member of the Planning Committee, Sheila's contributions helped to ensure the event's success.

Resignation: Due to personal issues, Valerie Stafford-Mallis has resigned as Director on the Board and as Liaison. She will continue as a member of Team 8. We thank Valerie for her time and wish her all the best.

Thank you to Alan Blair and Cynthia Olcott for speaking about LWR CERT at the February Waterfront condo homeowners' meeting to assist Craig Hullinger recruit more members for newly formed Team 37. Contact cert@lwrcert.org to schedule an LWR CERT speaker for your HOA meeting.

Emails via radio? - At our Celebrate Lakewood Ranch anniversary event, Radio Communications Committee member and ERCN Hub 6 Frank Giannone (WO4GQ) set up a radio to email RCC information to interested residents using WinLink.

Ham Radio Training Classes - Trailer Estates CERT is launching ham radio training classes. They will accept up to 10 people for each class, 3 days a week for two weeks. Each class is 1 hour long. Interested? Email Tom Briggle, KO4GKK include type of class desired (either CERT, Technician or General class radio), your name, email and phone.

CERT Train the Trainer Course - If you are interested in advancing your knowledge of CERT training or want to help strengthen the LWR CERT Training Committee, consider enrolling in this free course being taught at SCF Lakewood Ranch. Click here to learn more or contact LWR CERT Training Manager Nigel Pilling.

Interested in earning a 2-year CPR/AED Certification? - LWR CERT Team Captain Connie Farmer is a certified CPR/AED instructor and has offered to teach a special course for LWR CERT members at a reduced rate of $50. Non-members who mention this newsletter may take the 3-hour course for $60. Email Connie at cfarmer.lets@gmail.com for details.

PulsePoint - If you are trained in hands-only CPR, you can help when someone in a nearby public place suffers sudden cardiac arrest.

Download the PulsePoint free mobile app to receive alerts from Manatee County Emergency Communications Center operators at the same time they dispatch first responders to the scene.

The app also notifies users of the closest available Automated External Defibrillator (AED). You can also use the app to register an AED location online.

Did you know that homeowners are responsible for maintenance and repairs to gas lines on the homeowner’s side of the gas meter?

Maintenance before the meter should be TECO’s responsibility.

Several LWR CERT members learned this recently when they discovered their gas shutoff valve (on the homeowner's side of the gas meter) had been buried under mulch and was rusted and needed to be replaced.

Given that the locations of shutoffs can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood or home to home, we encourage you to locate your gas shutoff now, before it may be needed.

As always, if you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, don't delay - get away! Move to safety, call 911 then call TECO at (877) 832-6747.