The Connection newsletter is comprised of articles written by the people from around the Country who are involved in community preparedness on a daily basis.

CHANGES IN ATTITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDE
Frank Lucier, Editor
Following the Loma Prieta earthquake and prior to the commencement of any community response training in the City, we did some research and found that the City Charter stated "the Fire Department is responsible for preparing the citizens of San Francisco for a disaster". It only seemed logical that the fire department would be responsible for conducting and managing a community emergency response training, but was it so logical?...Go to Article

CERT mOMENTUM CONTINUES
Sam Isenberger FEMA's Emergency Management Institute
CERT momentum continues.  More communities with the help of CERT grants, distributed through their State, are starting programs.  Congress in the 2003 budget approved additional funding in support of CERT training with $18.8 million going out to States and Territories soon...Go to Article

SENIOR CERTS IN COLORADO
John Bruce, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Homeland Defense Project Manager, Grand Junction, Colorado
This program began in October 2002 and since mid January 2003, 38 senior citizens, age 55 and older, have completed basic CERT training.  The oldest person is 80 and the youngest is 57... Go to Article

A COISA CERTA (The Right Thing)
The beginnings of CERT in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Paul Cull, Iris Ministries  
Paul Cull is a New Zealander who has been working  for the last seven years in the hillside community of Cordoeira, Nova Friburgo, in the interior of the state of Rio de Janeiro...Go to Article

C.E.R.T. GOES INTERNATIONAL
Jim Lancy, Emergency Management Coordinator, City of Arvada, Colorado
Sister Cities International (SCI) awarded the City of Arvada, Colorado one of four grants as part of an exchange program with an emergency management focus. These grants, which were funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, were awarded to American cities with sister cites in predominately Islamic counties...Go to Article

LETTER FROM CHRIS CAMP
Chris Camp, CERT Volunteer, Whatcom County, Washington
As members of CERT all of us have endeavored to prepare ourselves for that day when an emergency strikes and we are called upon to apply the skills we have learned.  Just as we all wondered how we were going to do on the CERT final, I’m sure all of us have at one time or another wondered how we would do when it was real.  I recently answered that question for myself and would like to share with you the lessons I took from it...Go to Article 

HIGH SCHOOL CREW IS TRAINED, READY TO RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Joel Turner, The Roanoke Times
When a Patrick Henry High School student was injured and suffered a seizure after a fight in the school cafeteria earlier this school year, Amy Barger and David Fifer responded quickly to provide emergency medical care. Barger and Fifer, who were nearby when the altercation occurred, are Patrick Henry students and certified emergency medical technicians... Go to Article

"ONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE FAMILY, ONE COMMUNITY"
Mary Ellen Salzano, CERT Team Member, Morgan Hill, California
I am the power of one, multiplied by many across the United States actively volunteering to improve and safeguard America.  Our President asked that people volunteer to strengthen our communities by being prepared in case of a natural disaster or terrorist incident.  I am rising to that call and ask that you too consider joining me...Go to Article

WHAT IS A CERT  TO ME? 
Scott Amundsen, CERT Team Leader, Hernando County, Florida
As our instructor Mark Tobert stated the first night of our CERT Class, “the objective of the CERT team is to help your neighbors and family in the event of a disaster”.  When I think back to that wonderful evening, now almost two years ago, I can only say wow, where was this program during the "no name storm" of 1993?...Go to Article

TRAINING MOBILE HOME COMMUNITIES 
Lucy Keely, Emergency Management Coordinator, Lee County, Florida    
In April of 2003, Buccaneer Estates Mobile Home Community exercised its disaster preparedness plan for CERT members.  Other mobile home communities were invited to observe the exercise...Go to Article

JOHNSON COUNTY CERTS AID IN DISASTER RELIEF
Rita Hoffman, Emergency Management Coordinator, Olathe Fire Department 
On Sunday May 4^th the Kansas City Metropolitan area was devastated by numerous tornadoes. Two of the tornadoes in the immediate Metroplex were rated at F4. One death was recorded in Kansas City, Kansas (Wyandotte County). An effort to determine how our CERT teams might be utilized was initiated by Olathe Fire Captain Bill Schneider. Coordination meetings were attended and a county-wide effort ensued....Go to Article

ARE YOU PREPARED?
Barbara Kasser , CERT Team Member, Boca Rotan, Florida
Although we've participated in drills, would we know what to do in the face of a real emergency? A surprise exercise for team leaders, who meet regularly, tested our readiness and provided lots of valuable information....Go to Article

TORNADO DEVASTATES ART FESTIVAL
Amy Ross  Boca Raton Fire Department, Florida
On Saturday, November 16th a tornado touched down at 10:10 am on the first day of “Stroll the Meadow Art Festival.”  Boca Raton C.E.R.T. team volunteers were the first on the scene dispatched by Deputy Chief Jack McCartt through HAM radio communications...Go to Article

SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA STATEWIDE CERT CONFERENCE
Pam Amburgey, Public Information Officer, Seminole County CERT Association, Inc.
Seminole County CERT Association, Inc., sponsored the 2^nd Annual Florida Statewide CERT conference, in Lake Mary, Florida.  This year’s event was spectacular, and had over 300 participants representing their counties, while 20 vendors were on hand to show their latest and greatest safety items.  This year, the conference had an increase of static displays that included apparatus from Seminole County...Go to Article

THE SEMINOLE COUNTY CERT REHAB TEAM
Pam Amburgey, Public Information Officer, Seminole County CERT Association, Inc.
Seminole County CERT Association, Inc., the first Florida CERT association to be a 501 C 3 not-for-profit organization, applied for a Citizen’s Corp of Florida grant, and recently was awarded a $16,000 grant for their efforts!  The majority of the money will be utilized to publicize the CERT program throughout Seminole County.  The plan is to have members of the association attend Homeowner’s Association meetings, churches, local businesses, and more public safety fairs...Go to Article

A 24 HOUR HAM PACK
Charles E. Harris, KE4SKY, Emergency Response Planning Coordinator, RACES Training Officer, Fairfax, VA
Basic to your effectiveness as a member of a Disaster Response Team (DRT) for Virginia RACES is your 24-hour pack. Each Virginia RACES member who has completed the Basic Operator’s Course is eligible to provide mutual aid outside of their home jurisdiction.   If you choose to volunteer and prepare yourself for this vital mission, you are responsible for development of a 24-hour pack and its maintenance, ensuring that it is present and ready for every mission...Go to Article

  Click on the mail box to e-mail The Connection Editor