CERT Meeting - September 11, 2023
09/11/23
The following are the minutes from the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meetings this week.
Monday, September 11, 2023, Lake Fairways library
· We will still have the Christmas Toy Drive in conjunction with the North Fort Myers Fire Dept. More information is coming.
· Home/OK signs and instructions will be available at the front office, 1 per household. Need suggestions to better distribute since some residents do not read Facebook or get Informer.
· Oct 7th dance at Lake Fairways Beth Ann, she is a signer/entertainer from the Shell Factory. She will be providing signs.
· Wish list for CERT supplies to be sent to The Informer for donations. If anyone has a donation, they can bring them to coffee, or call a CERT member.
· Training classes available: Stop the Bleed, CPR cost $25 CERT members, $50 non-CERT, AED Training, Fire Extinguisher Training, Fire Wise and Crowd Management (free for CERT). Discussion to have AED and Fire Extinguisher Training when more people are here after coffee. Tabled for October/November
· 5 people signed up for CERT Basic training.
· The Emergency Action Plan was outlined and will be emailed to Beth at NFMFD per instructions.
Minutes from CERT leaders meeting at the North Fort Myers Fire Department, Wednesday September 6, 2023
· CERT basic classes are held at the NFM Parks and Recreation. The dates are October 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th from 10am-1pm. On October 20th the practical is at the firehouse. A new requirement is all folks interested in CERT basic must take IS-317.a from FEMA, and to get the CERT backpack they must take IS-100.c.
· On November 14th NFMFD will be having the Crowd Management training from 10am-11:30a, this is for leaders only and will be in the training room at the firehouse. On November 17th at 1pm we will have the AHA CPR class in the training room at the firehouse. The price is $25.00 for CERT members and $50.00 for Non-CERT members. This class is open to everybody.
· All CERT teams need to submit their emergency action plans.
CERT Meeting August 7, 2023
08/07/23
C.E.R.T. members had their meeting last night, August 7th, in the clubhouse lounge only to be disappointed by some bad news. Kevin Walsh is stepping down as our team leader and Pat Roberts is moving so, we will need a new treasurer. Dorothy Williams has volunteered to be our treasurer.
Dennis McGee has agreed to be ‘interim’ team leader. Tentatively, Alain Gingras has accepted the position, however he is recovering from heart surgery in Ohio. Plus, these changes need to be agreed by the HOA board.
CERT basic is Oct. 10, 12, 17, 19, at the North Fort Myers Parks and Rec. Oct 20 is at the fire house. Beth Helmick, North Fort Myers Fire Department CERT Coordinator, will be taking the names, email address and phone number beginning Sept 25. Anyone interested, please send your information to Diana Ferrucci (5B) so she can pass it on to Beth. Reminder – you must take IS 317A before the class starts, this is new per FEMA. During class you need to bring an inch or inch and a half binder. Water and wear closed toed shoes. Class begins at 10 and goes on till 1. To get their CERT bag, they need to take IS 100.
New members are always encouraged to join. Our meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 7:30 PM in the lounge. You do not have to be certified to be a member; however, you do need to be certified for search and rescue.
Submitted by Diana Ferrucci
CERT Leader Meeting May 31, 2023
06/07/23
May 31, 2023 - Leaders meeting at North Fort Myers Fire Department (NFMFD)
Beth needs our 2-3 call list and what our community will do in a disaster by Monday June 5, 2023, to send to Christi. We know that all CERT members will evacuate as we are the first to leave and the first ones to come back.
The CERT basic class is October 10, 12, 17, 19 and 20. This will be held at NFM Parks and Rec beginning at 10:00am. All new members need to get their student ID number from FEMA and take the IS317A online class. Beth will need a copy of that class and in order to get their CERT backpack they must take IS100 online class. Please bring an inch, or an inch and a half binder, water, and wear closed toed shoes. The last class is at the firehouse. Please let Kevin know before September 25, 2023. He needs name, address, email address to send to Beth.
Lastly, Tara Woods is having their hurricane seminar June 13th at 1:30pm. Lake Fairways will have their hurricane seminar July 22nd at 10:30am with FOX News, surrounding communities welcomed. Pat Robers is donating free coffee and donuts. Christy will email flyers once received by FOX.
Please remember to let the folks in your manufactured home community know that they don't have an evacuation zone. They need to evacuate!
Community Meeting June 5, 2023
Pro’s and con’s about shed vs trailer. 2 trailers were found online, Kevin to check out. A trailer might be easier to purchase right now. So far, we have two generators. CERT is looking for volunteers with a trailer hitch to move the trailer in the event of an emergency. Please reach out to Kevin Walsh.
List is still needed of homebound residents, there are 12. (Need to check with Dora). Suggestion was made for district HOA board member to visit these residents and fill out the special needs application since they must register yearly.
Home/OK signs were discussed. Kevin has them and they will be distributed when needed.
Kevin to send first response contact list to Beth at NFMFD. Kevin Walsh, John Grab and Dennie McKee are the first order of contacts from the battalion chief in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Sage Ogden, a social worker by trade, would like to offer her services for any resident that needs emotional support due to the Hurricane or tropical storm. She is planning a meeting, in the near future, at the clubhouse after coffee. Free coffee and donuts More details to follow.
Sheldon Upchurch concert July 15th 6-9PM $5 Proceeds to CERT
Dazzling Delray’s concert Oct 7th 6:30-9:30 PM $15 proceeds to CERT
CERT Leader Meeting April 3, 2023
04/06/2023
CERT Meeting Tuesday, April 3rd in the lounge
Discussions:
Volunteers needed April 9th, Easter Sunday, 6:30 AM for traffic control, wear your vests please.
Donation letter needed for the men’s club for supplies.
Note to snowbirds: please bring in all outside furniture, pots, plants, furniture, lawn decorations, excess building supplies, etc. Anything that would fly and cause havoc during a hurricane or strong winds.
Inquiring about getting local news team to do a Hurricane Seminar at Lake Fairways
We have a few carbon monoxide monitors if anyone needs them. Must have either a garage, own a generator or have gas/propane running into your home to get one. See Kevin Walsh
Anyone needing a smoke alarm, give name and cul de sac number to Kevin Walsh. This is basically to anyone who has NOT received one before.
North Fort Myers Fire Department meeting April 5, 2023
Discussions:
May 18th 11:00 AM – Hurricane Preparedness Seminar Horizon Village – CERT members only
Hurricane Preparedness – NFMFD will provide signs for residents to put in the window if they decide to stay. All communities will be using the same signage. CERT will be distributing them before the storm. Also, a list will be needed as to who stays so we have it for rescue purposes for NFMFD . A notification form will be put in the Informer and in concierge office with pertinent info if staying. We are zone C; however, in a hurricane situation we are considered zone A and if told to evacuate we should for everyone’s safety.
Make sure special needs applications are available, filled out and sent in in the event you need to go to a special needs shelter during the storm. Applications will not be processed when Lee County is in a 5-day hurricane forecast cone. See Kevin Walsh for application.
Submitted by Kevin Walsh
CERT Leader Meeting March 1, 2023
02/01/23
CERT team leaders had their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 1st at the North Fort Myers Fire Department, items discussed were:
· Refresher courses for CERT members were held March 2nd.
· CPR class for March 7h was cancelled.
· CERT picnic, for members only is Friday, March 10th at the fire house. RSVP to Kevin Walsh
· Hurricane season is coming up, we need to gather our teams together and review procedures, have instructional/refresher classes if need be. These need to be scheduled with Crissi.
Lake Fairways had their monthly meeting Monday night, March 6th. Items discussed were:
· Updating our CERT team members with phone numbers, emails and cul de sac assignments
· Whose responsibility is it to clean out the CERT room so we can get ready for hurricane preparedness. Currently, there are storm shutters in there.
· Signs for the windows in the event of a hurricane, i.e home or gone
· Having a CERT member available for new homeowners meeting
· Getting grant money for supplies needed
· Need volunteers for the Easter Service
· Fundraiser October 7th in the clubhouse, The Dazzling Delray’s, $20 a ticket. Tickets will be on sale as soon
· Requesting WINK News or other TV station come in and do a community hurricane preparedness.
CERT Leader Meeting February 1, 2023
02/01/23
CERT Leader Meeting February 1, 2023 at North Fort Myers Park and Recreation
The following minutes were from the CERT Leader meeting to be shared with CERT team members.
CERT Basic training will be held February 6-10th , 6 pm – 8:30 pm at the North Fort Myers Community Center. Lake Fairways needs more team members. Our CERT team basically helps out in the community, such as helping out with parking and traffic, when needed, checking on cul de sacs after a storm and other items. There are many good programs you will be able to attend if you are a CERT member. Please wear close toed shoes, bring a pen and notebook. Reach out to Kevin Walsh if interested.
Fire Wise Event at Heron’s Glen, a free event. Fire Wise is a free program that encourages partnerships among homeowners, to develop and implement local solutions for wildfire preparedness – before a fire starts. Plenty of vendors will be there, sounds like a lot of fun. It will be held Feb 13th at 10:45 Am AT Heron’s Glen, no registration is required. Location is 2250 Herons Glen Blvd. North Fort Myers FL 33903
A CERT refresher course will be held March 2nd from 10-3 in the North Fort Myers Park and Rec. All CERT members are encouraged to take this refresher course. Contact Kevin Walsh if interested.
The CERT picnic will be held March 10 from 11-2. It is ONLY for CERT members. See Kevin Walsh for details.
CPR class will be held at the North Fort Myers Fire House on Feb 7 at 12 PM. Cost is $25 for North Fort Myers CERT members, $50 for community members. Training consists of adult, child and infant CPR, AED training and basic first aid. The address is Station 1 , 2900 Trail Dairy Circle, North Fort Myers, FL 33903 . Contact Kevin Walsh if interested.
Volunteers needed for Spring Fest!! April 1st and North Fort Myers Park and Recreation. Duties include passing out water, minor first aid, parking cars, more details to follow.
RSW airport drills for disaster preparedness … February 23rd more details to follow…
Lake Fairways CERT TEAM meeting will be Monday, Feb 6th at 7 PM in the clubhouse a lounge. All are welcomed!
Submitted by Kevin Walsh
February 1, 2023
CERT leaders meeting, January 4th at Fire Station
01/07/23
Here is the update from the CERT leaders meeting, January 4th, 2023, at the North Fort Myers Fire Department. The CERT basic and refresher classes are being worked on. Looking for confirmed locations before we can give dates. The classes for basic are 4 days, 3 hours in the classroom and the 5th day is at the firehouse. The class for the refresher is 1 day, 5 hours in the classroom. CERT classes will be available February or March, to be determined. If we get enough participation from Lake Fairways, at least 8 people, we can have it at Lake Fairways.
Smoke detectors are being worked on starting again this week. If a Lake Fairways person was promised a smoke detector and did not get one, please contact Beth Helmick, NFMFD CERT Coordinator 239-340-0825.
Christi is having a CPR class that is certified on January 13th at the firehouse. The cost is $25 for CERT members and $50 for non-CERT members. If you complete the course and pay registration you will get your CPR card and be certified for 2 years. It’s open to anyone. The time is 10am. Please let Beth Helmick know if you want to attend. Lee County Animal Control will be holding a pet first aid class at the firehouse on Tuesday January 17th at 1pm. Please let Beth Helmick if you will attend. Del Tura is having their health fair on January 25th beginning at 9am.
Herons Glen is having their Firewise from 10:30am - 3pm on February 13th. It is very informative and interesting; no registration is needed just stop by.
Some new trainings are available. Stop the bleed class and crowd management for leaders is a beginning. Christi is going to check with the chiefs and firefighters about a simple consistent procedure for all CERT communities to use based on their Ian experience. She will give more information at the CERT leaders meeting.
The North Fort Myers Fire Department is located at 2900 Trail Dairy Circle North Fort Myers, FL.
Submitted by Kevin Walsh
January 7, 2023
JANUARY MEETING minutes
01/03/23
The Lake Fairways CERT team met last night in the clubhouse lounge, 01/02/23.
We were a small group but had a new couple, Alain and Sherry Gingras, that were interested in our team. Kevin Walsh oriented the Gingras on what our CERT team does, how we handled Ian, what we learned from Ian, how we get our donations for equipment, the smoke detector campaign, the Toy Drive, traffic control when needed, getting certified and how the team basically works.
We talked about having more demonstrations after Saturday morning coffee where we can get a bigger audience to make people more knowledgeable on CPR, how to use the AED machines and other areas.
Kevin indicated that we may have another certification class in either January or February for any interested parties, which will be announced.
Our next meeting will be held in the clubhouse lounge, February 6th at 7PM. The meeting is open to all CERT members and anyone who is interested in our efforts. We may not be a team that you see every day, but we are an important team to our community when it matters. It is important for our CERT team to be available when disaster strikes.
Submitted by
Kevin Walsh
Jan 3, 2023