CAPTAINS MESSAGE DEC. 15TH MEETING

On December 15, 2011 the VeronaWalk CERT team held its annual holiday party. We enjoyed good pizza, drink and great camaraderie.

Our team has a lot planned for 2012 to include training refreshers, and preparation for the County Wide Drill that will take place on March 10, 2012.

Our next meeting will be on January 26, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in our Town Center.

My thanks to all of you for being a part of the greatest CERT team in America.

Have a wonderful, safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

2011 - THE YEAR IN PHOTO REVIEW

2011 was a great year for The VeronaWalk CERT TEAM. During the last year we documented various activities through pictures. They have been posted each month on our blog.

The pictures that follow highlight some of our bright spots during the year.

NOVEMBER TEAM MEETING - NEW SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED

On November 17, 2011 our team met and discussed the upcoming County Wide drill next year, training for the early part of 2012, and the teams annual December party. 

Thanks to the generosity of the VeronaWalk Bingo Committee each team member received a high quality L.E.D. flashlight. Eight long handled cultivators were also distributed to team members (2 in each division). These are used to safely clear debris from storm drains after a hurricane or tropical storm and prevent residential flooding.

The pictures above are from the TEAM Meeting held at Town Center.

OCTOBER TEAM MEETING

The October 20, 2011 meeting of VeronaWalk’s CERT team included a discussion on future purchases of equipment, and a refresher on our meeting policy after a storm or disaster. 

Our next scheduled meeting will be held on November 17, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in our Town Center.

SEPTEMBER MEETING

On September 22, 2011 members of the VeronaWalk CERT team participated in a First Aid refresher. Our friend from the East Napes Fire Control & Rescue District, Greg Speers, was our special guest.  Numerous topics were covered to include bandaging, burns, proper use of surgical gloves, sanitation,etc. Our team constantly trains to better serve our community. We know the first 72 will be up to us.

CAPTAINS MESSAGE: NEXT MEETING SEP. 22, 2011

The next scheduled meeting of the VeronaWalk CERT team will take place on Sep. 22, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in our Town Center. A first aid refresher will be the topic. All team members are urged to attend. Your training must be current for you to be within the protections of the Good Samaritan law.

CERT DRILL Operation “Where’s Johnny”

On the morning of Saturday July 23, 2011 our team conducted a drill utilizing training learned in various disciplines to include search and rescue, incident command, radio communications, first aid and working in concert with the Sheriffs Office. The scenario was to locate and treat a lost 7-year-old diabetic child and perform any aid that may be required. The team located, and documented various articles that might be considered evidence and in short order found the child, and treated him for a knee injury and the early stages of diabetic shock. Once found the CCSO Incident Commander was notified, and the child was transported to a hospital for a complete medical evaluation and care.

A debriefing and critique followed the exercise. The team performed extremely well. Our team trains constantly to better serve our community.

CAPTAIN'S MESSAGE

On July 23, 2011 the VeronaWalk CERT team will conduct a drill. All members are urged to attend. The drill will include segments on radio usage, incident command,first aid, search & rescue and more. Team members are asked to check their email for details.

COUNTY WIDE TRAINING - JUNE 18, 2011

On Saturday June 18, 2011 all CERT teams from Collier County attended a three part three hour training session at the County Emergency Management Center. This constituted our teams June 2011 meeting. The topics were:

1- Interacting with an Alzheimer’s patient. This training could be beneficial in a search & rescue/missing person situation

2- Collier Counties Code Red system & A Child is Missing. How Code Red works, and its possible utilization for CERT teams

3- Managing the media. VeronaWalk CERT has a policy of no statements to the media; all statements will come from the E.Naples Fire District P.I.O.

TEAM MEETING - MAY 26, 2011

On May 26,2011 our teams monthly meeting was comprised of a 2 way radio refresher, and check of our communications equipment. One radio was deemed unserviceable, and was rapidly replaced.

The first aid supplies purchased from the proceeds of our fundraiser were distributed at this meeting to prepare for the 2011 hurricane season.

OUR CERT TEAM RESPONDS TO FIRE

Due to a severe fire in the preserve, less then 1/4 mile from our east property line, the VeronaWalk Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) had its' initial activation on May 3, 2011 .

At approximately 2:15 PM the calls went out to all calling contacts. By 2:30 PM 14 team members were assembled in the Town Center, a briefing was given and we traveled to our command post at Umberto Ct. & VeronaWalk Circle. From there 2-3 member teams were given their assignments. Our mission was to look for any fire, sparks or active embers that could cause a fire within our community, any dangers to our residents and their property and to advise residents to close all windows, use their air conditioners to filter the smoke, and change the filters once the fire was put out.

We covered the entire eastern portion of our community, and are delighted to report no fires spread to VeronaWalk. Radio communication was outstanding. The team was in constant contact with the East Naples Fire Dept.and at 4:15 PM they were advised the fire was 75% contained, and the wind had shifted east away from our community. The danger to VeronaWalk was over.

At 4:25 PM we held a de-briefing, and at 4:35 PM our team deactivated.

TEAM MEETING: NEW MEMBERS

The meeting on the April 28 was held at Town Center at 7:00 PM.

We had a four new members who were introduced to the Team. Identification pictures were taken for their official ID Cards. We were glad to see the new faces.

The primary focus of this meeting was to discuss and select items to purchase that will be placed in our emergency kits. Our Team is cognizant of the upcoming Hurricane season and plans to be ready if needed.

CAPTAINS MESSAGE: HODGES UNIV. & NEXT MEETING (

On Saturday, April 23, 2011 members of the VeronaWalk CERT team traveled to Hodges University to take the ICS 100 & 700 Incident Command Courses.

Incident Command is critical to CERT teams. It ensures safe, and efficient operation of the team. All members who attended this course received certificates.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in our Town Center. Topics will include our first aid supplies purchases, and preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.

All members are requested to attend.

TEAM MEETING AND "CPR" TRAINING

On the evening of March 31, 2011 members of the VeronaWalk Community Emergency Response Team participated in a CPR/AED course. (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/ Automated External Defibrillator). CERT members are required to take this course every two years. We train constantly to better serve our community.