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Emergency Management Director Dan Heerding and the Clovis High School Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have been awarded the FEMA Region 6 Youth Preparedness Award for the program’s impact on the school as well as the surrounding community.
Dan Heerding has taken an active role in raising Curry County’s next generation of leaders and responders by setting a high bar for Teen CERT Members. In addition to their regular studies, CERT Basic Training (and AFJROTC curriculum for those who are cadets) Clovis High School Teen CERT members must complete several FEMA training courses on the National Response Framework (NRF), the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). Team members are encouraged to obtain their Technician Amateur Radio license, which several achieved.
The Clovis High School Teen CERT has participated in multiple responder training and has deployed to three major community events. The team has donated 856 hours, and one team member has even been credited with saving a life. As Dan described, “The team assisted and is a force multiplier for our 4th of July firework event and the Curry County Fair. Teen CERT teamed up with CFD and assisted with any response during those events. With the training we have done, we have one student with a life-saving credit. He ended up performing CPR on his stepmother.” The cadets of NM-021 identified an opportunity to make their community a safer place. They established something essential and noble that extends beyond themselves. Through their hard work and self-sacrifice, they have made something from nothing. Even as the cadets that began this team continue to grow and become leaders in their own chosen careers, the team they created will remain to help protect their community and serve as a positive influence for those students who have that same innate desire to serve others.
The competition was fierce, and each category saw close scores. All submissions were already voted as state winners before being rated at the regional level by two Region 6 Community Preparedness Working Group members/partners from each state.
An award presentation will occur in the coming weeks during a City of Clovis Commission Meeting.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Emergency Management at 575-763-9494 or oem@cityofclovis.org.
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