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August 2025
Inside: Tour the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center plus new online reporting for Manatee County Sheriff
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As we prepare for the height of the 2025 storm season, I want to thank each of our amazing CERT volunteers — for your unwavering commitment and tireless preparation. From attending team meetings to upgrading supplies and participating in hands-on training, your efforts don’t go unnoticed. You are the green-and-yellow vests our neighbors rely on when uncertainty strikes.
Whether surveying for damage after a storm or relaying vital information to first responders, you embody the spirit of service. You are the reassuring knock on the door, the calm voice on the radio, and the helping hand when phones are down and hope is needed most.
Your commitment to community resilience makes our Lakewood Ranch community safer, stronger, and more connected. It’s inspiring to see new members stepping up, veterans mentoring the next generation of volunteers, and leaders coordinating outreach across neighborhoods.
Let’s continue building on this momentum as the season unfolds. Together, we are more than a response team — we are neighbors helping neighbors. Thank you for your service, your heart, and your readiness.
Stay safe and stay ready,
Jim Emanuelson (KN4VMK)
President, LWR CERT
941.404.8606
| | Volunteers needed for August 9 Mass Casualty Incident Training | | |
Duette Fire & Rescue is planning a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) training event Saturday, August 9 in Duette. Volunteers are needed to serve as survivors and victims. No experience necessary, just a willingness to role play.
For event details and a copy of the required volunteer waiver, contact Landes Emergency Training Services CEO Ruth Landes at ruth@letscpr.com.
| | Free Public Tour of Manatee County Emergency Operations Center | | |
Join Manatee County Public Safety's Emergency Management team for a preparedness presentation and tour of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Saturday, August 16 from 10-11 AM. | | | |
Evening CERT Basic Training Class Open for Enrollment
Completing a FEMA Basic Training class is a prerequisite to becoming a member of a local CERT team. A opportunity for area residents who wish to attend a local training is now open for enrollment.
The class will meet from 6 - 10 PM on August 25 - 27 and September 2 - 4 at the Cedar Hammock Training Center, 6601 53rd Ave W in Bradenton. Advance registration is required. Contact Steve Litschauer for registration and details.
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Manatee County Sheriff's - Online Reporting System
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office now offers a self-service online system for citizens to file their own police reports for certain crimes. Click the photo or the below URL to access the website: www.manateesheriff.com/services/file_a_report_online.php
The Online Reporting System on the sheriff’s office website explains it is only for incidents that happen in unincorporated Manatee County, including Lakewood Ranch. It is not for emergencies, crimes in progress, or immediate danger.
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Digital or video evidence, such as photos, doorbell video or voicemails, must be added separately, after a case number is assigned. The sheriff’s office says all cases filed online will be reviewed. “If further investigation of your case is needed, you may be contacted,” the website says.
Thanks to Mike Resetarits for sharing this important information.
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LWR CERT members share Hurricane Prep info in community
One of LWR CERT's missions is to educate our neighbors on disaster preparedness. Recently, Team 10 Team Captain George Haralampoudis provided an informative 40-minute talk to congregation members at Church of the Nativity at the request of Operations Manager Dave Cashbaugh. Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran shared a hurricane prep presentation with residents at The Pointe at Lakewood Ranch.
The LWR CERT August 24 Hurricane Prep presentation at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall is free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested. As of August 1, there were limited seats available. Register and learn more here.
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LWR CERT and CERT volunteers were featured in a recent news broadcast celebrating everyday heroes in the area.
Can you spot any of your team members or neighbors in this July 24 broadcast on Fox 13 Tampa Bay?
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August Birthdays
Happy Birthday to members Bruce Bedford (Team 10), Don Diven (Team 22), David Esslinger (Team 35), Frank Giannone (Hub), John Harkey (Team 35), Jean Hritz (Team 22), Jillian Kubacki (Team 22), Gordon Kuhn (Team 11), Dyan Laphan (Team 27), Susan Martinez-Linares (Team 36), John Moelhman (Team 28), James Mooney (Team 28), Cindy Peirce (Team 13), Richard Raymond (Team 28), Eddie Russell (Team 36), Gayle Thurston (Team 8), Mark Witek (Team 26), and Lorraine Wright (Team 35)
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August Service Anniversaries
Congratulations to our members who celebrate service anniversaries this month:
16 Years: Gordon Kuhn (Team 11)
7 Years: Sheila White (Team 13)
6 Years: Bruce Bedford (Team 10), David Cashbaugh (Team 25), Margaret Davis (Team 17), Mel Davis (Team 17), Jean Hritz (Team 22), Karen Lilly (Team 8), Brenda Nusbaum (Team 35), Kalena Ostrosky (Team 25), Bill Quaid (Team 2), Kenneth Strahs (Team 28), Susan Strahs (Team 28), Stephen Voutsas (Team 27), and Valerie Voutsas (Team 27)
2 Years: John Brooks (Team 36), George Haralampoudis (Team 10), Martin Hawkins (Team 1), Denise Hogan (Team 23), James Hogan (Team 23), Jennifer Mechling (Team 36), William Mechling (Team 36), James Mooney (Team 28), Norm Olmstead (Team 22), Christy Samuels (Team 9), Jack Sandelman (Team 10), William Sanderson (Team 28), Donna Speer (Team 23), Terry Speer (Team 23), Dave Thurston (Team 8), Gayle Thurston (Team 8), Gloria Wittmer (Team 25), and Jane Wormuth (Team 28)
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