Chinese Community Fire Suppression

Delaware Citizen Corps returned to the Chinese American Community Club in Hockessin to teach the Fire Suppression Block of instruction from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Course. Justin Kates of Citizen Corps and Volunteer Firefighter of Christiana Fire Company taught the inside portion, he received help outside with the practical hands on training from Kevin Semonelle also a Volunteer Firefighter from Christiana. Just as last time the classroom presentation had to be translated through a Chinese interpreter (Dr. Lin), approximately 70 members of the group attended the weekly meeting, the POC for the training was Johanna Shay.

PREPAREDNESS BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN

Citizen Corps launched its PrepareDE.org campaign on March 7th, which will run through August.  Billboards will be located throughout Delaware in all three counties to announce the Preparedness website.  Citizens can go to site to find preparedness materials and information that will help aide them during an emergency or an all hazards disaster. Part two of the campaign to start in June will also add the 911 Special Needs Registry.

Kiwanis Preparedness Presentation

Delaware Citizen Corps gave a Disaster Preparedness Presentation to the Seaford Kiwanis Club at their monthly meeting.  Twenty Five members attended the presentation held at the Manor House in Seaford.  The POC’s for the presentation was Jim Thompson and Mrs Rose Poole, who took the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training with the Dover District AME Churches.

Spring Showers or Spring Flooding?

Flooding is a coast to coast threat to Delawareans during all months of the year.  Anywhere it rains, it can flood.  This week, 26 States are reporting flooding and flash flooding, with flood watches and warnings currently in effect throughout the Eastern and Southern United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Midwestern states are especially susceptible to snow melt and ice jam that cause spring flooding, but states in every region of the country are at risk.  Floodsmart.gov defines a flood as a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. 

The 14th through 18th of March is National Flood Safety Awareness Week.  Its purpose is to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what can be done to safe life and property.  “It is important to be prepared for flooding regardless of location, but particularly if situated in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam.”

The following resources are available to promote flooding awareness and preparedness to enhance personnel safety:

·         The Ready Campaign

·         National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flood Safety  

·         FEMA’s FloodSmart Program

·         FEMA’s Flood Preparedness

·         Flood Insurance  

  

Clayton-Smyrna CERT Presentation

Delaware Citizen Corps gave a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Preparedness Presentation at the St. Polycarp Church in Smyrna. Over 40 people attended the presentation which was hosted by the Clayton Knights of Columbus.  Also invited were the Towns of Clayton and Smyrna to attend this monthly meeting.  The POC for the presentation was Jack Dungee. Plans in the future include a possible partnership between the two towns to host a CERT Class.

Disaster Preparedness Presentation for Early Head Start

On January 31 – DE Citizen Corps gave a Disaster Preparedness Presentation for the New Directions Early Head Start Program at the University Of Delaware. Twenty staff members of New Directions and three members of the UD Center for Disabilities Studies were present. This is the first of future presentations for early Head Start, Citizen Corps is also working on a new project with the UD Center for Disabilities Studies in addition to one from last year. Cindy Genau is the POC for New Directions and Phyllis Guinivan is the POC for the UD Center for Disabilities Studies.

Disaster Preparedness Workshop

On Jan 22, Citizen Corps provided a Disaster Preparedness Workshop to the New Hope Recreation and Development Center in Ellendale, Sussex County.  Twenty people attended the workshop which focused on Family Emergency Planning. Their mission and focus is providing educational opportunities to at risk youth through after school programs.  Some of the programs provided are help with home work, one on one tutoring with special emphasis on math and reading, lecturers that provide instruction on bullying, healthy eating, science, read a long and tobacco abstention programs.  They are also expanding their offerings to include Adult Programs that will involve Adult Computer Training, Red Cross -CPR Training, Health Awareness, Financial Planning and Emergency Preparedness. The POC and Director of the Center is Mr Kendal Tyer.