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.