Delaware Citizen Corps wins two national awards

Delaware Citizen Corps received the 2009 FEMA Region III Making A Difference Award for its innovative partnerships and collaborations initiated as part of NPM this year. Among various other initiatives, Delaware and Wilmington Citizen Corps partnered with the Blue Rocks Professional Baseball Organization to spread preparedness messages throughout the entire baseball season, reaching at least 274,500 residents with preparedness messaging. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency and its Citizen Corps program also supported Delaware Child Care Provider Workshops (designed and provided by a volunteer) to assist providers in small and in-home facilities in writing and implementing emergency plans. In addition, collaboration between Delaware Citizen Corps and the Delaware State Police resulted in the expansion of a public notification system for preparedness messaging. Finally, Delaware Citizen Corps has partnered with the DuPont Corporation (the largest employer in the state) to provide a series of Disaster Preparedness presentations to their organization.

Delaware also received the 2009 FEMA Region III Outstanding Outreach Award. Throughout July and August and into September, information on National Preparedness Month activities scheduled by Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware Citizen Corps was issued by the DEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) to all statewide media and posted to community events calendars in newsletters and on television, public broadcasting and chambers of commerce websites. Interviews were conducted with area newspapers and radio. Information for tweets was given to staff for including on Twitter.

From: http://www.fema.gov/about/regions/regioniii/npm_challenge.shtm#7

Disaster Assessment Team announced!

New Castle County Citizen Corps announces that it is proudly sponsoring a Disaster Assessment Team in conjunction with the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula.

If you would like to provide concrete help to your community during an emergency, consider joining the Disaster Assessment Team. You’ll help emergency personnel assess damage and prioritize need on the ground in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. These assessments are essential to begin relief and recovery!

In order to join the team, you must first be registered as a Red Cross volunteer. (Visit http://www.redcrossdelmarva.org/volunteer.htm for more information. Scroll to the bottom of the page under “Becoming a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer.”)

Who: Anyone interested in serving as part of the first line of response to help in their community.

What: An opportunity to make a difference by helping to survey damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster which speeds the relief effort.

Where and when: Red Cross training online, Disaster Assessment training TBA based on interest. You must also complete the Red Cross’s “Fulfilling Our Mission” class as part of becoming a volunteer. That class will next be offered Nov. 7, 2009 at 9 am in Dover.

How to sign up: Email mailto:citizencorps@nccde.org for more explicit instructions or call Jessi Schimmel at (302) 395-2709.

Citizen Corps Council Meeting November 4, 2009

Announcing a New Castle County Citizen Corps Council Meeting

When: November 4, 2009 10:00 am

Where: at the Brookside Community Center
Located at: 900 Marrows Rd Newark, DE

Agenda

• Welcome and introductions

• Review and approval of July 2009 meeting minutes

• NCC Citizen Corps update

o December CERT class December 10 and 11
o FY 2008 funding status, FY 2007 expenditures
o Red Cross Damage Assessment

• Discussion about services for the hearing impaired
o State preparedness video with subtitles


• Discussion about public notification and warning

• Open group discussion

• Set action items and agenda for next meeting


• Adjourn

CERT Class announced!

New Castle County Citizen Corps is proud to announce that we will be sponsoring a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course in December 2009. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Here are the details:

Who: New Castle County Residents and those who work in New Castle County

What: CERT- FREE Community Emergency Response Team training. A 2 day class. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. FREE CERT bag provided to participants.We will cover: terrorism awareness, light search and rescue,fire suppression, First Aid, CPR, AED, and other topics.

Where: Cpl. Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building 3601 N. DuPont Hwy New Castle DE 19720

When: 2 Day class – Thursday and Friday December 10th and 11th 2009, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm both days.(Recertifications need only come to day 2 - December 11)


How to sign up: email citizencorps@nccde.org or call (302) 395-2700

CPAW Report on National Night Out

NCC Citizen Corps Parner, Crime Prevention Area Watch (CPAW) reports on National Night Out below:

National Night Out Against Crime was held at three locations in New Castle County on Tuesday evening August 4, 2009 from 5PM--8PM. The event was the 26th Annual National Event. The goal is to bring communities together to bridge the gap between local law enforcement and communities to work as one.

The Northern District Advisory Council of the New Castle County Police held their event at the Woodshaven-Kruse Park located on Darley Road in Claymont, DE.

An estimated crowd of 706 attended the event. New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, New Castle County Council President Paul Clark, other County elected officials and State elected officials were in attendance.

Colonel Rick Gregory, Sr. Cpl. Amy Kevis and Terry O'Connor of the New Castle County Police MET Team K-9 were also in attendance. Rick Jensen from WDEL 1150 broadcast live from 4PM-7PM. At the end of the evening Officer O'Connor and his K-9 dog along with the Delaware State Police K-9 dog put on some demonstrations.

Other organizations that were present were Delmarva Power, Claymont Fire Company, Delaware State Attorney General’s Office and Delaware Crime Stoppers.

Hot dogs, cold drinks and Seasons Pizza were free to everyone. CPAW (Crime Prevention Area Watch) of New Castle County was also in attendance.

Congratulations to Dee Whildin, CPAW North District Director and President of the Northern Advisory Council of the New Castle County Police for her long hours of planning and having a very enjoyable evening for everyone in attendance.

The Western District of the New Castle County Police held their event at Banning Park located off Maryland Avenue in Wilmington, DE. Elected officials from the New Castle County Government and from the State of Delaware all made an appearance. Estimated attendance at the event was 350. Colonel Rick Gregory of the New Castle County Police was in attendance.

Minquas Fire Company, Kent County SPCA, Delaware National Guard, along with other agencies were also available for free information and demonstrations.

Hot Dogs, cold drinks, cupcakes, Herr's chips/snacks and Grotto's Pizza were available free to everyone.

Congratulations to Sr. Cpl. Mike Snead of the New Castle County Police and members of the Western District Advisory Council of the New Castle County Police on their event.

This report of the event held at Banning Park was provided by Cheryl Manna, Secretary WDAC and CPAW.

I have not received the report from the Central District who held their event at the Glasgow Regional Park located on Route 40 near Glasgow, DE.

Rob Blansfield
Co-Executive CPAW