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NEWS & UPDATES
 

Good Afternoon. I hope everyone is staying warm and safe. While 2016 started out slow for Lealman CERT, we are beginning to start planning for a great year of change in the Lealman CERT Program. I'm excited about change and you should be too.

We are looking at changing our organizational structure. Since our beginning in 2004, we have been for the large part led by the Coordinator and a small group on individuals known as the Leadership Team. It is time for us to evolve into a member-driven organization.

On Monday, March 21st we will be having a General Membership Meeting starting at 6:30pm at Fire Station #18 located at 4360 55th Avenue North. At that meeting, we will be holding a discussion on the make-up of the organization, by-laws, and the procedure for electing our first Board of Directors.

Please take the time to attend this meeting as it will help to determine the future of our program!!

In November we had a great exercise at Norwood Secondary; So great that we are doing it again with a few modifications!! The exercise is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. When you arrive at the exercise, you will participate as a team to conduct search & rescue, triage, and treatment in the first round. After the first exercise, we will hold a discussion of the CERT basics and the lessons learned from your first round. And then, you will go through the same scenario incorporating your lessons learned.

In closing, Lealman CERT is a premier CERT Program in Florida!!! We strive to not only be a great program but to adapt to change to become a better than great program. This cannot be accomplished by a few, but by all members taking ownership of their team. Again, I'm excited about change and look forward to seeing Lealman CERT evolve over 2016. Rest assured that you have the commitment from myself and the Fire District as we move forward.

As always, if you have questions/concerns, please feel free to reach out to me by email or call me at (727) 481-2797. 

Respectfully,

K. Larry Thompson, Captain

UPCOMING EVENTS
(Please utilize your Mission Manager (MM) account to RSVP to events and training opportunities mentioned below. 
If you are currently not a MM users please email me and we will set-up an account.)
Saturday, 02/27/2016: CERT WORKDAY -
We will meet at Fire Station #18 at 1pm to work on Communications 18 and at our offsite storage area. We should be completed by 5pm. RSVP on MM.

Thursday, 03/03/2016: CERT RADIO NET - The 
Lealman CERT Amateur Radio Club ''KI4ZKR'' holds a bi-monthly net on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month beginning at 8pm. The net starts on the N4AAC Repeater 145.310 MHz, PL tone of 103.5. Following the Repeater check-in the net moves to the CERT Simplex Frequency of 146.580 MHz. This is a controlled net. Please listen to and follow net controls instructions. RSVP on MM.

Thursday, 03/10/2016: CPR COURSE -
City of Seminole Fire Rescue is offering Free Community CPR classes. The program utilizes the American Heart Association Heartsaver curriculum; classes are fun, simple and will give you the confidence to help save a life if needed. Included in the course is "Use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)", as well as CPR for Children and Infants, you will also learn the techniques used to help someone that is choking. All classes start at 7PM and are conducted at Seminole Fire Station 29, 11195 70th Avenue North. Free parking is available at the rear of the fire station off of the 70th Avenue North rear entrance. To reserve your spot in class please email bdykens@myseminole.com or call ahead to 727-393-8711 extension 210.

Saturday, 03/12/2016: CERT FULL SCALE EXERCISE - On Saturday, March 12th the Lealman CERT program will be hosting a full-scale exercise incorporating Incident Command, Search & Rescue, and Traige. The exercise will take place at Norwood Secondary School located at 2154 27th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. The start time will be either 9am or 10am depending on which ticket you sign up for. Each group will complete the exercise upon arrival, debrief and implement the lessons learned, and then repeat the exercise. Total time committment 3 hours. Each group is limited to 20 CERT members. You should be dressed for search & rescue activities, i.e. - long durable pants (jeans), shirt, durable shoes or boots, and the PPE equipment provided to you. You should also have CERT forms in case you are the incident commander.
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Thursday, 03/17/2016: CERT RADIO NET - The 
Lealman CERT Amateur Radio Club ''KI4ZKR'' holds a bi-monthly net on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month beginning at 8pm. The net starts on the N4AAC Repeater 145.310 MHz, PL tone of 103.5. Following the Repeater check-in the net moves to the CERT Simplex Frequency of 146.580 MHz. This is a controlled net. Please listen to and follow net controls instructions. RSVP on MM.

Saturday, 03/19/2016: PAL BLOCK PARTY (CERT BOOTH) - We have been asked to provide assistance at the 2nd Annual PAL Block Party being held on Saturday, March 19th from Noon until 4:30pm. Set-up will begin at 10:30am. We have been asked to set up a booth promoting CERT as well as the bounce house, son-cones, etc. RSVP on MM.

Monday, 03/21/2016: CERT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Please see article above for more information about the purpose of this meeting. The meeting is being held at Fire Station #18 located at 4360 55th Avenue North. The meeting will start at 6:30pm. RSVP on MM.
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