Interfaith Community Housing CERT Class

On November 15th and 16th, the State Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Bob George (Program Manager) and Marny McLee (Coordinator), conducted training for the Wilmington Interfaith Community Housing Group. Forty citizens receive the training, which was conducted at the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Wilmington. George Giles, Wilmington's Emergency Manager, offered the use of his center and was extremely supportive. He also assisted throughout the training.  Several city councilmen stopped by to talk to the citizens, and the training was well received. Additional training for the city is currently being developed. The point-of-contact for the training was Caren Turner, Director of the Interfaith Community Housing Group.

Invite a Veteran to School Talk Given by Marny McLee

On November 8th, Marny McLee, Citizen Corps/CERT Training and Outreach Coordinator, spoke to three hundred fourth and fifth grade students, teachers, staff, veterans, and parents at Misspillion Elementary School in Milford. He was invited to their “Invite a Veteran to School Program” by Dr. Natasha (Ramminger) Ward, who took CERT training in 2006. The topic of the speech was how his military career prepared him to work at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

Physicians Care Preparedness Presentation

On November 5, Bob George (Citizen Corps Program Manager) and Marny McLee (Citizen Corps Training and Outreach Coordinator) provided a Disaster Preparedness Presentation at Delaware Physicians Care in Newark, Delaware. The presentation was given to the case workers of the Delaware Physicians Care; twenty two were present and another twenty attended via conference call from Kent and Sussex Counties. Another presentation will be scheduled for Kent and Sussex Counties at a later date. Kathy Gordon attended the presentation and is the Case Manager. Yvette Lewis also attended and was the point-of-contact for the presentation.

DE Skills Center CERT Training

On October 23rd and 24th, Bob George (Citizen Corps and CERT Program Manager), Marny McLee (Citizen Corps and CERT Training and Outreach Coordinator), and the State CERT Team joined the Wilmington Office of Emergency Management/CERT to teach a Community Emergency Response Team Training Course at the Delaware Skills Center.  This was the third CERT course taught at the center. Thirty three nursing students and staff attended. Cindy Stears was the point-of-contact for the class.

7th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day

On September 21, the 7th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day was held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, and was a huge success.  Approximately 1,200 citizens took part in the event, which included games for kids, a Preparedness Train Ride, Delaware National Guard Climbing Wall, and a Preparedness Scavenger Hunt. There was also a simulated Red Cross Shelter, free food, disaster kit giveaways, interactive display tables, prizes, and many other activities. We would like to personally thank to our co-host, the Kent County Public Safety Office (Colin Falkner, Dave Mick, and Nicole Vautard). We would also like to thank Citizen Corps event coordinators Bob George, Marny McLee, and our wonderful committee members: Betty Decker and April Cleveland (Public Health Preparedness Section), Rosanne Pack, Scott Martin, Rich Phillips (Citizen Corps Contractor and Volunteers) Kay Dietz-Sass (Dover Emergency Management), Sharon Jefferson, Shawn Antrim (American Red Cross), April Willey (RSVP Sussex County), and Gary Laing (DEMA).

Thank you too all the fifty-plus state, local, volunteer, and faith based groups who spent their day with us to make this year’s event the best to date.  Thanks to Citizen Corps volunteer/spouses Tina George and Jackie McLee, as well as Boyd Reed Citizen Corps/CERT Instructor and P.Jane Walmsley. We also must thank our youth volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Helping Hands, Boy Scouts, and their leaders. A special thanks to the organizations that gave donations for our event:  Delmarva Power, Tidewater, Sam’s Club, Herr’s Chips, Papa John’s Pizza (Dover), and Chick-Fil-A for providing their sandwiches at a discounted rate.  Another special thanks to Walgreen’s of Dover for providing Flu Shots and Ace Hardware (Best Family) of Sussex County.

Delaware Citizen Corps Receives National Recognition

For the third year in a row, the Delaware State Citizen Corps Council and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), led by Program Manager Bob George and Training and Outreach Coordinator Marny McLee, has received National Recognition in two categories. This year’s awards are  for “Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives” and “Preparing the Whole Community”. The Delaware Citizen Corps has taken great strides to improve disaster preparedness in its communities with its outstanding preparedness efforts. 

"The National Individual and Community Preparedness Award Program is proud to present this Certificate of Recognition for their continued efforts to make the state of Delaware and their communities better prepared and resilient to disasters through community outreach, education, and partnership."

Delaware Medical Reserve Corps CERT Class

 

On August 16th and 17th, the Delaware Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) taught a class for the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC) and Sussex County residents at the Sussex County Emergency Operation Center. Ingid Hansen (DMRC Coordinator) was the point of contact for the DMRC, and Carl Davis (Sussex County Citizen Corps Coordinator) was the point of contact for the Sussex County residents.