Practical Uses of Amateur Radio
Laura, my wife, and I just published to a popular preparedness blog Part 1 of an article about how we use our personal communications gear. CERT is referenced in this post. Part 2 will be on this site tomorrow. I hope that you find it useful. https://survivalblog.com/2024/01/17/practical-uses-amateur-radio-part-1-mr-mrs-alaska/
WillowCERT assists at the Willow Library Trunk or Treat parking lot event
Willow CERT volunteers worked to keep the very busy Willow Library Trunk or Treat parking lot event safe. We have enjoyed supporting this event since 2015! It was a fun evening for all!
CERT at the 15th Mat Su Expo
A note to our volunteers from Brenda McCain:
Dear CERT Expo volunteers,
From Beth and Tom unloading and setting up until take down, the efforts of each you was incredible. Our success at the Expo truly was a team effort!
The 15th Mat Su Expo was really an extraordinary community event and and we should all be very proud of our contribution to it.
Our booth was our best ever with the addition of “Hypothermia: The Chill that Kills!”. I just provided the idea and supplies, bur Margo and George took off and made it into an amazingly popular educational experience, adventure, and competition! It was brilliant to come up with a little bucket so small children could participate too! Lizzetta and Jean were great sports taking over and continuing later in the day.
Every time I walked by I saw you all answering questions, offering pamphlets, playing the disaster game and just so engaged in helping people be more informed and prepared. We had 38 people signed up interested in more info on CERT.
We have done 8 busy community events this year. Yes 8! Willow Elementary Safety Fair, Willow Health Fair, Willow & West Lakes Fire Depts on Wildland Fire Preparedness Day, Two Community Safety Days at Farmers Market, Founders Day in Houston and Mat SU Expo!
Willow CERT supported the Mat Su Regional Hazmat/Disaster drill
Thank you CERT members that bravely volunteered to be exercise victims for our Hazmat trauma drill. Your enthusiasm and dedication allowed multiple emergency response agencies to work together and practice medical treatment and continuity of care for disaster victims. Thank you for always supporting our community in so many ways. Thank you!
WillowCERT July 4th Mission accomplished!
Dear Team-
Everybody stayed safe and had fun! That’s what I call a success!
We should all be proud of the role the we have played in striving to keep the Parade safe since 2015.
The team work and the skills we practice for the Parade are what we have and will utilize in disasters (and a pandemic).
With the Parade, the Barbecue and Open House at the Willow Historical Museum it was a wonderful day for Willow!
A very sincere thanks to every one of you for the dedication and hard work you put into in making this happen.
With gratitude,
Brenda
Norman S. Wakeman Obituary
We are sad to share the news that Norman Snow Wakeman, of Willow, Alaska, passed away on May 9th, 2023, three days after his 88th birthday. Norman, “Norm” was born on May 6, 1935, to Harold and Gertrude Wakeman in Claremont, New Hampshire.
After high school Norm earned his teaching degree from Keene State College. After college, he went on to Woodstock Vermont where he taught woodshop along with being a ski coach and driver’s education instructor. Norm left teaching and moved on to the US Department of Soil Conservation Service, where he later retired.
In 1957, he met Marion Sprague at Keene State College and were married on May 30, 1958. Norm and Marion went on to have two children, Norman Jr, and Jon.
Norm loved the outdoors and was an accomplished hiker having summited more than 50 mountains over 4000 ft in elevation in New England. During his earlier years, he spent several vacations canoeing and camping in the Canadian wilderness with his family. He was an instructor with Project Challenge, a similar program to Outward Bound, for Steven’s High School for many years, and a Hunter Safety instructor for the state of New Hampshire. Other hobbies include skiing, gardening, woodworking, hunting, shooting sports, and HAM radio operator.
Norm was a true patriot serving his beloved country for more than 30 years in the Army Reserves and retired as Command Sargent Major.
Norm moved to Willow, Alaska over 20 years ago. He took pride in his Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) role. He was part of the original Willow CERT, active from 2004-2006, and joined the new team when it was formed in 2015. Norm served 3 years on the WACO Board as Vice Chair, responsible for the Willow Community Center. He was a vital part of the CERT Communication Team and a 17-year Matanuska Amateur Radio Association (MARA) member ready to assist in any disaster. Norm affectionately known as Grandpa Norm was crowned 2022 “King” of the 60th annual Willow Winter Carnival for his commitment to community service in Willow.
He was truly a kind man whose impact will be forever felt by his family, friends, and neighbors. His willingness to help others and to serve his community will always be remembered.
Norm is survived by two sons, Norman Jr and Jon, sister, BJ (Betty Jean), granddaughter Candice, and two great-granddaughters Jaden and Giuliana.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Willow Community Center 69.5 Parks Highway in Willow on Saturday, June 10th 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.
Talon Boeve Named 2022 Emergency Manager of the Year!
Brenda McCain with WillowCERT notes:
I was thrilled when it was announced on Tuesday that Talon Boeve was voted by her peers in the Alaska Emergency Managers Association (AKEMA) as the 2022 Alaska Emergency Manager of the Year!
I first met Talon in 2015 when she and her family were diligently rallying the community to encourage the Borough to improve the fire service in the Willow area. During the Sockeye Fire the Boeve’s were instrumental in evacuating and caring for many animals and they worked in the long term recovery from the fire.
Talon then took the next available CERT training in Willow and joined our team.
And before long the student became a proficient leader!
We are so proud of all she has accomplished in her position as an Emergency Operations Specialist with the Mat Su Borough.
She has continued to support our CERT and been responsible for the growth of CERTs across the valley.
Her responsibilities go far beyond CERT, but she brings the same level of dedication and professionalism to all.
Thank you Talon, it was a well deserved honor.
WillowCERT’s medical skills refresher class
4/16/23, Willow, Talkeetna & Trapper Creek CERTs had a very valuable Medical skills refresher class taught by Mat Su Borough Emergency Operations Ctr Specialists. It was a good chance to learn knew skills and reinforce ones learned previously.
It was a great opportunity for the 3 CERT teams of the Su Valley to work together cooperatively.
We appreciate all the training the MSB EOC provides for CERT volunteers.
18 Graduated from the FEMA CERT Basic Course in Willow!
See the original article here.
The 20 hour CERT Basic Training held over two weekends involved classroom instruction and hands on practice including the following topics:
o Disaster preparedness
o Disaster Medical Operations
o Light Search and Rescue
o Team Organization
o Disaster Psychology
o Terrorism and CERT
o Disaster simulation drill at conclusion of training
Hosted by Willow CERT volunteers, the course was conducted with the support of the Mat Su Borough Emergency Operations Ctr, Willow & Caswell Fire Dept., Willow Area Community Organization and many community volunteers.
https://www.fema.gov/…/community-emergency-response-team
WillowCERT 