Lt. Gov. Sheehy Recognizes Nebraska’s Volunteer Leaders in Emergency Preparedness

(Lincoln, Neb.) Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy was joined by representatives of ServeNebraska in recognizing the efforts of volunteers and volunteer organizations across the state for their efforts in emergency preparedness in recent years.

The “Be Prepared” awards were created this year to recognize the efforts of the volunteers across Nebraska who play a vital role in disaster recovery efforts. The awards are being presented as part of National Preparedness Month.

“Today, I’m pleased to announce the groups and individuals recognized with Nebraska’s first Be Prepared awards,” Lt. Gov. Sheehy said. “These are people who have given their time and energy to volunteer training, and are ready at a moment’s notice to help respond to natural disasters and other emergencies in our state. As we’ve seen in the response to severe storms in particular, local volunteers are a great asset. I offer my thanks to these outstanding citizens and all our volunteers for their commitment to protecting their communities.”

The Panhandle Citizen Corps Network is being recognized as the Citizen Corps Council of the Year. Citizen Corps Councils (CCCs) are made up volunteers specially trained to help communities respond to a wide variety of emergencies. Serving 15,000 Nebraskans living in 11 western counties, it is made up of law enforcement personnel, search and rescue volunteers, public health officials and community volunteers.

The Panhandle Network incorporates a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Ponderosa Search and Rescue Team, and the Scotts Bluff County Citizen Corps Council, and is assembling a Medical Reserve Corps for the region. They are also developing databases of community resources and volunteers throughout western counties and a plan to handle pets in a disaster situation.

Kathy Mersch of Bellevue, receives the Citizen Corps Council Member of the Year award. Mersch is part of the Omaha Metropolitan CCC and used her experience as a firefighter and member of a ski patrol team to assist with recovery efforts after tornadoes and high winds damaged homes and businesses in Douglas County this summer.

The Eastern Nebraska CERT of Bellevue receives the Citizen Corps Program Partner of the Year award for its outreach efforts in helping 200 local residents receive basic CERT training, holding monthly training events for CERT members, conducing safety fairs, its ability to reach out to Spanish speaking populations. These skills were used to coordinate 984 volunteer citizens providing 3,200 hours of relief support during the June storms that struck Douglas County.

The Boy Scout Mid-America Council Pahuk Pride Class of 2008 receives the Local Hero award, recognizing a group that provides extraordinary service and leadership in helping fellow Nebraskans during an emergency. The group of Boy Scouts was at a training camp in Little Sioux, Iowa when a tornado ripped through camp in June. The more than 100 scouts and adult leaders at the camp acted quickly after the storm performing first-aid on their fellow injured campers until paramedics arrived.

Tim Hofbauer of Columbus receives the Excellence in Disaster Preparedness award. Hofbauer is the emergency manager for Columbus and Platte County and has worked tirelessly to recruit volunteers and conduct trainings for CERT teams and weather spotters. Those efforts paid off when volunteers were able to help respond when flood waters struck communities in Platte County this spring.

Otoe County Red Cross Disaster Volunteers receive the Excellence in Emergency Volunteer Mobilization award. Led by Gregg Goebel, emergency manager for Otoe County, the team serves as a resource for immediate response to disasters. It consists of 10 volunteers and efforts are underway to expand the group.

Ken Kruse of Lincoln, receives the Excellence in Volunteer Public Safety award. A volunteer with the Lancaster County American Red Cross for more than 45 years, Kruse has logged more than 14,000 hours as a volunteer educator and responder.

National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to remind citizens to take steps to prepare for emergencies before they happen. ServeNebraska, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission, will be promoting disaster preparedness throughout September with activities throughout the state, including activities scheduled in coordination with the Sept. 12 Husker women’s volleyball match and the Sept. 13 Husker football game.

ServeNebraska pursues its mission of mobilizing Nebraskans to strengthen their communities through volunteering, collaboration and national service programs. For more information on steps citizens can take to be prepared for emergencies and other disaster recovery information, visit http://www.serve.nebraska.gov or http://www.ready.gov.