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October 2025
Inside: Learn about new Manatee County disaster technologies plus how to find out where AEDs are located near you
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As we enter the final quarter of 2025, I want to thank each CERT member for your dedication to preparedness and community resilience. October brings Cybersecurity Awareness and Fire Prevention Week.
Fire Prevention Week, observed October 5 -11 this year, is to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. We have learned a lot about fire safety since then. In October, we can review digital safety protocols and inspect fire extinguishers and smoke alarms in our homes, cars and places of business.
CERT isn’t just about disaster response—it’s about proactive leadership. Your commitment inspires others, and together, we build a safer, stronger community. Let’s finish 2025 with purpose and prepare for an even more resilient 2026.
See you around the neighborhood,
Jim Emanuelson (KN4VMK)
President, LWR CERT
941.404.8606
| | RECAP: September Member Meeting - Disaster Technologies | | |
September's Member Meeting was packed with information as three local speakers updated us on two new disaster technologies used in our area. We also heard the latest update on the LWR CERT AED Network.
First, Director of Public Safety for Manatee County Jodie Fiske (pictured left) introduced members to Peregrine, a public safety platform implemented by the County days before Hurricane Debby made landfall. Customized data compiled on the Peregrine dashboard improves situation awareness and allows County officials to more timely track a number of events in real time including rising river levels, shelter populations, and lift station statuses. Currently, Manatee County is the only county in Florida using Peregrine and was the first in the Country to implement the platform to monitor weather situations.
Tony Incarnato, Manatee County Business Applications Manager and Lead for the Peregrine platform, noted that Peregrine is primarily designed for use by Emergency Operations Center leadership. He detailed future possibilities for using Peregrine to assist with "blue sky" operational needs including determining the best location for a new EMS station based on need and transcribing 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 audio calls using AI to plot active events/situations on a map.
Heather Hackett, founder and Executive Director of Local Relief, Inc., shared the Local Relief app, created by her Sarasota-based nonprofit. The free app, available for both iOS and Android, is designed to serve as the local support hub for natural disasters, bridging the gap between communities and vital resources.
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LWR CERT Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran provided an update on the LWR CERT AED Network, which has 12 AEDs positioned throughout our service area at the homes of LWR CERT members. These AEDs are the same brand used by Manatee County EMS and are available for use by the public.
When 9-1-1 determines an AED is needed, they share the location of the nearest AED with the caller. Residents may download the (yellow) Pulse Point app and locate the AED nearest their home. If you register with an email and a password, you will also be able to register for "AED Needed" alerts for the AED nearest you and help save a life by delivering the AED to the incident location before the professional first responders arrive on scene.
Watch the AED video to see an AED in action.
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Thank you, Jim Emanuelson, for moderating the meeting, to Paulette Kessler-Westerman for producing and photographing the meeting, to Bonnie Teske and Kathie Neal for registering attendees, and to Jim Curran for his information on the LWR CERT AED Network and for being our tech advisor.
The event was organized by Jim Curran, with support from Communications Manager Karen Emanuelson and Events Manager Gloria Schroeck.
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LWR CERT in Action - the photo shoot
| | Sometimes we like to use photos of our LWR CERT members in action in presentations and for marketing. And taking out a cell phone during an actual activation is not the best time to capture photos. So, we picked a sunny Friday morning, gathered a few LWR CERT members, found a few residents to volunteer as survivors, and member photographer Paulette Kessler-Westerman captured action shots that will be used in future presentations and marketing materials. | | Thank you to members Paulette, Richard Svertesky, Carol Jenckes, George Jenckes, John Moelhman, Phil Westerman and Karen Emanuelson. We also thank resident volunteers Anne Marie Svertesky, Alex Peirce, Lexi Schaffer, and Therese Culotta and her sister for agreeing to assume the role of survivors. | | New LWR CERT Board Member | | |
Director - Member Technology - Dave Esslinger
At the September Board meeting, Dave Esslinger was appointed Director of Member Technology. In this role, he will lead initiatives across Drone Operations, Member Records, Radio Committee, and Technology, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm to these vital areas.
Dave completed LWR CERT Basic Training in March 2024 and is a resident of Orchid Island, serving on Team 35. A licensed ham radio operator, he also acts as Hub 8, supporting Teams 28, 35, and 36. In addition, Dave holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107), making him a certified drone pilot—an asset to our growing tech capabilities.
Welcome to the Board, Dave! We're excited to have your leadership and technical insight guiding us forward.
| | Trailer Estate CERT offering Basic Training | | Trailer Estates CERT is offering to organize a Basic Training class in the next few months if there is enough demand. Email Sharon to indicate your interest. | |
LWR CERT on YouTube
LWR CERT now has a custom URL to our YouTube Channel. Visit www.youtube.com/@lwrcert to view our channel.
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Self-service sandbags available in Manatee
Don't forget to grab your sandbags before a weather event happens!
Manatee County offers several self-service sandbag locations which are still stocked and ready to give you sand and peace of mind.
Since June 1, Manatee County has seen 18,956 sandbags be made by residents. Find your nearest location at mymanatee.org/sandbags, and don't forget to byos (bring your own shovel)!
| | LWR CERT featured in recent Patterson Foundation newsletter | |
Medical Advisory Team (MAT)
Responder Liaison Director John McInally and member John Festa have joined the Medical Advisory Team. Thank you for your willingness to serve on this strategic group of medical professionals. The MAT will discuss CPR training to supplement AED procedures in non-mass causality times and adding instruction in the use of the new non-needle EpiPen (nasal installation) during an anaphylactic emergency.
Member Backpack Medical Kit Update
The Member Backpack Medical Kit Update project has been completed. Refreshed medical supplies were given to members identified as having completed Basic Training more than 5 years ago. Thank you to the Logistics team for their work assembling the packs and to Team Captain Director Jan Kuhn and the Team Captains for ensuring the Kits were distributed to the appropriate members.
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October Birthdays
Happy Birthday to members Janis Ballard (Team 10), Ken Bertram (Team 20), Jerry Buhr (Team 27), Kathy Combs (Team 1), Sharon Defferding (Team 36), Dinah Henderson (Team 36), Mark Holmes (Team 35), George Jenckes (Team 26), Randall Koelb (Team 32), William Mechling (Team 36), Brenda Nusbaum (Team 35), Jim O'Donnell (Team 36), Mike Resetarits (Team 22), Lisa Robbins (Team 36), Alan Roth (Team 9), Julie Russell (Team 36), Christy Samuels (Team 9), Ryan Shipp (Team 11), Rosemary Stack (Team 32), Art Taber (Team 27), David Young (Team 26), and Ryan Zachos (Team 10)
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October Service Anniversaries
Congratulations and thank you to these members celebrating their LWR CERT Service Anniversaries
12 years - Marvin Crepea (Team 23)
11 years - Pat Knowles (Team 17) and Michael Miller (Team 31)
10 years - Sue Joy-Sobota (Team 25) and Richard Raymond (Team 28)
7 years - Jim Emanuelson (Team 26), Karen Emanuelson (Team 26), Jerry Buhr (Team 27), Paul Catalano (Team 25), Gerard Toner (Team 13) and Sheila White (Team 13)
6 years - Mark Boutote (Team 16), Dennis Johnson (Team 26), Judith Johnson (Team 26), Samuel Mallis (Team 8), Cynthia Olcott (Team 8), Mike Resetarits (Team 22), and Frank Giannone (HUB)
3 years - Albert Bergeron (Team 10), William Fisher (Team 31), James Hennigan (Team 1), Themba Hillary (Team 27), Larry Hippich (Team 13), Matthew Hippich (Team 13), Paulette Kessler-Westerman (Team 16), Dyan Laphan (Team 27), Rosemarie Pauli (Team 27), Thomas Quimby (Team 16), Nancy Roush (Team 17), William Sadlack (Team 27), Rene Urra (Team 13) and Philip Westerman (Team 16)
1 year - John Festa (Team 11) and Dinah Henderson (Team 36)
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