September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month!

We have had quite a rocky start to September thanks to the very active Hurricane Season, but hopefully it has inspired you to evaluate your own level of preparedness for a disaster!

This year's preparedness message is, "Disasters don't plan ahead, but you can!" Thus, each week in this month has a theme:

• Week 1:  September 1-9         Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
• Week 2:  September 10-16     Plan to Help Your Neighbor and Community
• Week 3:  September 17-23     Practice and Build Out Your Plans
• Week 4:  September 24-30     Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger

While we certainly encourage you to work on your family's preparedness throughout the month, these weekly themes can help you prioritize certain actions as the month progresses. Don't forget to include planning for family members with functional or access needs, your pets or livestock, and any other special considerations that your families my have!

For more tips and information throughout the year, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PrepareDE/.

Additional information about National Preparedness Month can be found here: https://www.ready.gov/september.

Delaware 87ers Basketball Game: First Responder and Emergency Preparedness Night!

Join us for an exciting basketball game honoring First Responders and focusing on Emergency Preparedness!

Free parking, silent auction for players' jerseys, and fun activities for kids!

With purchase of ticket for game, get free access to the pre-game Guns & Hoses basketball tournament 4-5 PM with the Wilmington Police and Wilmington Fire Departments!

Tickets and more information: www.sevens.com/promo
Use PROMO code "CITIZENCORPS" (all one word, no space) and 20% of proceeds will go to the American Red Cross!

Questions? Contact us through our website: http://www.delawarecitizencorps.org/contactus.

Delaware Citizen Corps Wins FEMA's 2016 Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award

Delaware Citizen Corps will be honored during a ceremony at the White House. The group has been chosen to receive the FEMA “Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award” for 2016.  The Individual and Community Preparedness Award recognizes the Delaware State Citizen Corp Council for multiple initiatives including:

• Working with the Delaware Governor’s Council of Faith-Based Partnerships
• Partnering with the University of Delaware’s Center For Disabilities Studies
• Partnering with the Public Health Preparedness Section
• Bi-lingual radio campaign
• Preparedness Nights at the Wilmington Blue Rocks and Delaware 87ers games

Marny McLee, the Citizen Corps  and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Manager, is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran of over twenty years, and has been part of the Delaware Citizen Corps for 12 years.  The Pittsburgh-native also spearheads the annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day event, held each September.  This year’s event will be held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum on September 24.

The Delaware Citizen Corps received the same award in 2014, the same year that McLee was cited individually with the “Champions of Challenge” award for his program initiatives and leadership.  Delaware Citizen Corps is the recipient of 13 FEMA Region III Awards since 2008.  McLee and Mei Johnson, Citizen Corps & CERT Coordinator, will be honored at White House and FEMA ceremonies in September.

We would like to thank the state, county and local councils, as well as the State CERT Team, for their help throughout the year and at our events. We'd also like to thank the volunteers and partner organizations that assist us in our preparedness outreach events.

Family Emergency Preparedness Day

 Delaware Citizen Corps would like to invite you to our 12th Annual Emergency Preparedness Day. The event will be held on September 24th, at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village, located at 866 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE. There will be numerous exhibits, displays, demonstrations, and giveaways for the kids. Eagle 97.7 / Cool FM 101.3 will be broadcasting live. The event and food are free to the public. Last year was a great success, and we are looking forward to another great day. A flyer is available for download here.

DHSS CERT Training Class

On July 27th and 28th, the State Community Emergency Response Team, led by Marny McLee Sr., CERT Program Manager, taught a CERT training course at the Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle for the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH). Twenty four students attended the two day training, which was made up of administrators, counselors, nurses, police, and security police from Department of Health and Social Services organizations throughout the state.  This was the seventh class taught at the campus.  The DSAMH point of contact for the class was trainer Jessica Washer.

Disaster Preparedness Night Flyer

On Friday, June 3rd, Delaware Citizen Corps, New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, and the City of Wilmington Office of Emergency Management are sponsoring a Disaster Preparedness Night at the Frawley Stadium, home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Blue Rocks are playing the Lynchburg Hellcats at 7:05PM. During the game there will be disaster kit giveaways, preparedness displays, and Jumbotron games for the kids. There are also post-game fireworks. Please see the attached flyer, and feel free to share it with friends and colleagues.

Delaware Skills Center CERT Course

On April 27th and 28th, the State Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), lead by Marny McLee (State CERT Program Manager), taught a CERT training course at the Delaware Skills Center in Wilmington. Sixteen certified nursing assistants and eleven medical assistants attended the two day preparedness course. Training specialist Karen Potts and nursing instructor Mary Ellen Dicesare also attended the course.  This is the State CERT team's fifth time teaching at the Skills Center.

 

Dover Disaster Preparedness Training

On April 2nd, the State Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Marny McLee (Citizen Corps & CERT Program Manager) and Mei Johnson (CERT Coordinator) taught an eight hour CERT Awareness Course in Dover.  The class was held at the Dover Church of Christ, who shares the establishment with the Dover Christian Church. Thirty members of the churches came together to receive the Disaster Preparedness Training.

First Annual 87ers Preparedness Night

On January 29th, the Delaware Citizen Corps, led by Marny McLee (Citizen Corps & CERT Program Manager), sponsored the First Annual Preparedness Night with the Delaware 87ers D-League Basketball, a D-League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. The 87ers play at the Bob Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware Campus in Newark. The game was co-sponsored with Director George Giles, Wilmington EOC/Citizen Corps Council, and Dave Carpenter, Emergency Manager for the New Castle County EOC/Citizen Corps Council. Partner organizations on hand with a display tables were the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware's Division of Public Health, the American Red Cross, Delaware Medical Reserve Corps, UD Public Safety/Emergency Management, the Center for Disability Studies, UD Citizen Corps Council, and the State Office of Volunteerism. The team wore the Citizen Corps Logo on the front of their shirts, the Citizen Corps Logo was on the on the court, and a banner was presented, which will be displayed the entire season.  There was a silent auction of the players' shirts, with the proceeds being donated to the American Red Cross. Citizen Corps/87ers key chain flashlights were given to the first 3,000 fans, and there was a Bouncer and Face painting for the kids. In addition, children ages twelve and under could go on the court after the game to shoot a foul line shot. The theme of the night was “Family and Faith Night”, and the fans were treated to a free post game concert by the “Journey Church Band.”

Marny, George, Dave, and his staff members were invited into the locker room for the pregame Coaches Chalk Talk and game plan with the players. Marny, George and Dave were introduced pregame for the game-ball presentation to the referees. Marny gave a Citizen Corps/CERT Presentation in the VIP Lounge at halftime to approximately thirty other 87ers sponsors, while George and Dave joined him on court again during the third period for the CCP game shirt presentations.  Overall it was a great night for Delaware Citizen Corps, and a great beginning to our new partnership with the Delaware 87ers.

Disabilities LIFE Conference

On January 20th, Marny McLee, Citizen Corps and CERT Program Manager, donated 500 Citizen Corps lanyards with a 2G Travel USB Drive to the Disabilities LIFE Conference. This is the fifth year that Citizen Corps has been a sponsor for the event and has made a donation of lanyards, which are preloaded with disability forms. Kristin E. Cosden, Social Service Administrator, Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), is the point of contact for the Conference.

Marny McLee with the Planning Committee

Citizen Corps Preparedness Night with the 87ers

The Delaware Citizen Corps would like to announce our new partnership with the Delaware 87ers Basketball Team. The 87'ers are a D-League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, and play at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, DE.

We will have a Citizen Corps Preparedness Night on January 29th, at 7PM. The event is co-sponsored with the Wilmington and New Castle County EOC/Citizen Corps Councils, and our normal partners, PHPS, DMRC, ARC, and others. The team will wear the Citizen Corps logo on their uniforms, our logo will be on the court, and there will be a silent auction of the players' jerseys, with the proceeds being donated to the American Red Cross. The shirts will be laundered before being sent to the winners.

Through Citizen Corps, there is an opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to  the game. Through our promotion code, 20% of the proceeds of tickets purchased will benefit American Red Cross. We ask that you promote this code to your partners, employees, and supporters. This is a great opportunity to help raise additional proceeds.

Tickets can be purchased by going to http://www.sevens.com/promo and using the code “CitizenCorps”.

There will be display tables for our partners to talk with you and share their outreach materials with you. Additionally, it is Faith and Family Night, and there will be a Kids Zone for children.  It is sure to be a fun night, and we would love your support, so stop out and share the evening with Citizen Corps.

Contact: Marny D. McLee Sr., Citizen Corps Program Manager, if you have any questions at 302 659-2243.

End Of Year CERT Class

On December 11th and 12th, the Delaware Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Delaware CERT Program Manager Marny McLee Sr. and Coordinator Mei Johnson, taught the End-of-Year CERT Training Course. The courese was held at the Delaware Technical Community College (Terry Campus) in Dover. Thirty five students attended the two day preparedness class, which was made up of the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps, AmeriCorps, and community members from the CERT waiting list. A special thanks to our Delaware Technical Community College point-of-contact, Jeff Peck, who is a professor for the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Programs.

Dave Majewski, Assistant Fire Chief of the Good Will Fire Company, teaches Captain Sue Harcke of the Delaware Air National Guard the proper approach for fighting a fire.

Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health CERT Class

On September 30th and October 1st, the Delaware Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Marny McLee Sr. (Citizen Corps/CERT Program Manager), taught a CERT class at the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle.  Forty five (45) students, made up of psychologists, nurses, case workers, counselors, and others took the two-day national certification class on Emergency Preparedness.  The Delaware CERT Team was assisted by Director George Giles and Margie Williams of the City of Wilmington EOC. This is the fifth time the Delaware CERT Team has taught a class at the campus.

Lead CERT Instructor Dave Young demonstrates a head-to-toe assessment on CERT Program Manager Marny McLee Sr.

11th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day a Success!

Marny McLee Citizen Corps Program Manager, thanks the DSP/DIAC group for their particpation.

On September 19th, the Delaware Citizen Corps held its 11th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day event. The event was held at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village in Dover, with approximately 1,600 people attending. The day was full of fun, games, give-a-ways, and preparedness information for the whole family.  We would like to thank all the State, Local, Faith Based, school, volunteer groups, and donators that helped make this year’s event another big success! We would also like to thank the public who attended to receive very important information and many our give-a-ways, that will prepare their home and family.  

We'd like to extend a special thanks to our co-sponsor, the Kent County Public Safety Office: Director Colin Faulkner, Dave Mick, Brandon Olenik and Nicole Vautard. We'd also like to recognize our Family Emergency Preparedness Day Planning Committee which included:  Marny McLee Sr. (Citizen Corps Program Manager), and Mei Johnson (Citizen Corps Coordinator), Bob George, Rosanne Pack, Rich Phillips and Scott Martin (Citizen Corps Volunteers), Tim Collins (DEMA IT Manager), Gary Laing (DEMA PIO), Betty Decker, April Cleveland (Public Health Preparedness Section), April Willey (Sussex County Volunteer 50+), TSgt. Miranda Mal (Dover AFB Emergency Management Office), Kay Dietz Sass (City of Dover Emergency Management Office), Mark Vanderharr (Delmarva Broadcasting Company), and Suzanne Farris (Red Cross).

Walgreens of Dover was on hand again to give free flu shots.

11th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day

Delaware Citizen Corps would like to invite you to our 11th Annual Emergency Preparedness Day. The event will be held on September 19th, at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village, located at 866 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE. There will be numerous exhibits, displays, demonstrations, and giveaways for the kids. Eagle 97.7 / Cool FM 101.3 will be broadcasting live. The event and food are free to the public. We hope to see you there!

Click here for our Family Emergency Management Day Flyer.

Annual Citizen Corps Preparedness Night and Send Off for Bob George

On June 5th, the Delaware, New Castle County, and Wilmington OEM/Citizen Corps Councils sponsored the annual Citizen Corps Preparedness Night. Our partner organizations, the Public Health Preparedness Section, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Red Cross also cosponsored the event. Marny McLee, Acting Citizen Corps Program Manager, sang the National Anthem at the beginning of the game. Steve Edwards of FEMA Region III’s Individual and Preparedness Division threw out the first pitch. Two preparedness exercises were held at the event. First, during the 7th inning stretch, the Blue Rocks Mascot Rocky simulated phoning his Emergency Contact for the fans and asked them to do the same. At the end of the game, Citizen Corps families’ youth practiced the earthquake “Stop, Cover, and Hold” drill on the field with Rocky.

The evening was also a surprise celebration send off for previous Citizen Corps Program Manager Robert J. (Bob) George, who stepped down effective June 1, 2015. Delaware Emergency Management Director Turner, Director George Giles (City of Wilmington OEM), Director Colin Falkner (Dover OEM), and Emergency Coordinator Dave Carpenter (New Castle County OEM) presented Bob with certificates of appreciation for his twelve years as the Citizen Corps and CERT Program Manager. Marny also presented Bob with a personal gift and, at the conclusion of the game, a picture show was displayed on the Jumbo-Tron to commemorate Bob’s years of doing outreach for the State of Delaware.

Bob led Delaware Citizen Corps from a program that did not exist in Delaware in February 2004, to being honored by FEMA at the White House in September 2014 as the best State Citizen Corps Council in the Nation! We would like to wish him congratulations and the best of luck during his retirement.

Annual Citizen Corps Preparedness Night for June 5th

On June 5th at 7:05 PM, the Delaware Citizen Corps, co-sponsored by Wilmington and New Castle County OEM/Citizen Corps Councils, will hold our annual Citizen Corps Preparedness Night. The event is held at Frawley Stadium, home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, who are playing the Frederick Keys. We are sharing the evening with our primary partner organizations, the Public Health Preparedness Section, the American Red Cross, and the Medical Reserve Corps. There will be preparedness displays, and fireworks following the game.

All are invited to attend for a night of family fun and preparedness.

Delaware Skills Center CERT Course

On April 28th and 29th, the Delaware Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Citizen Corps staff Bob George (Program Manager) and Marny McLee (Program Coordinator), and assisted by the Wilmington EOC, presented a CERT course at the Delaware Skills Center in Wilmington. Approximately thirty nursing students attended the class. This was the fourth CERT Class taught at the center.

DE Citizen Corps Presents Awards

On April 15th, Bob George, Delaware Citizen Corps & CERT Program Manager, chaired the Quarterly State Citizen Corps Council Meeting held at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). Bob recognized and presented Certificates of Appreciation and Excellence to the Wilmington, New Castle County, and Sussex OEM/Citizen Corps Councils. The awards were presented for the agencies' support to community preparedness and the Citizen Corps/CERT Programs. Kent County was previously recognized for its outreach efforts.

Bob also made a special presentation to Marny McLee Sr. for his eleven years of service as the Delaware Citizen Corps & CERT Training and Outreach Coordinator.

Delaware Economics and Development Office CERT Class

On March 27th, Bob George (Citizen Corps/CERT Program Manager), Marny McLee (Citizen Corps/CERT Training and Outreach Coordinator), and Dave Young (Lead CERT Instructor) taught a CERT Workshop for the Delaware Economics and Development Office (DEDO). The workshop's focus was on Disaster Preparedness and Medical Operations, which are blocks of instruction from the full two-day CERT training course. The theme of the workshop was from the movie “Castaway” with a Hawaiian Island dress code.  Fifty members of DEDO attended the class, which was held at the Elizabeth Murphey School in Dover. Alan Levin, DEDO Director, attended the workshop. Interestingly, he took our full CERT course eight years ago, when he was Owner and President of Happy Harry’s.  He mentioned the valuable information he learned, and that he still carries his CERT Certificate with him daily.