Our mission is to educate our neighbors about emergency and disaster preparedness, provide basic emergency response in support of professional responders and provide safety support to our community. After a storm, first responders may not be able to reach our area for some time. LWR CERT can provide support when it’s needed most.
We are LWR CERT, and we are your neighbors, trained and ready to help.
LWR CERT is a 501(c)3 non-profit of volunteer residents from Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Edgewater, Country Club West, Summerfield, Riverwalk and Greenbrook neighborhoods. Our members are just like you — interested in keeping themselves, their families, and their neighbors safe before, during and after disasters like hurricanes. All ages and backgrounds are welcome.
Once it is safe after a storm, teams of LWR CERT members survey their neighborhood for damage and identify areas needing emergency services.
Look for us in green and yellow vests with ID badges. If you need help, our members are trained in emergency first aid and can contact professional responders using our radios, even if phones are down. If everything is okay at your home, consider joining us in assisting others — your support strengthens our community response.
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LWR CERT is part of the Manatee County Florida Disaster Response System. We are sponsored by Manatee County Emergency Management.
The LWR CERT three-tiered Emergency Radio Communications Network (ERCN) provides our members with access to East Manatee Fire Rescue, Manatee County Sheriffs’ Office, Emergency Management Services, and Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority, even if cell service is down or overloaded.
East Manatee Fire Rescue hosts and teaches a portion of our CERT Basic Training class including basic search and rescue, cribbing, gas shut off and extinguishing small fires.
In 2006, LWR CERT was established under a special Department of Homeland Security and FEMA program. It was created as a volunteer organization of residents who receive special training to provide search and rescue, first aid, and radio communications support in response to disasters and emergencies when professional first responders may not be able to reach everyone as soon as help is needed.
Our organization was initially funded by a county grant and supported with a small budget from the fire department. After much planning and work, the first Lakewood Ranch residents graduated from CERT Basic Training on January 20, 2007 and became the first members of LWR CERT.
Today, thanks to the efforts of countless Lakewood Ranch residents and support from the Lakewood Ranch homeowners’ associations of Country Club Edgewater Village Association (CEVA), Summerfield Riverwalk Village Association (SRVA), Greenbrook Village Association (GBVA), and Country Club West (CCW), LWR CERT has 230+ active members living throughout these communities, serving on more than 20 neighborhood teams.
Our members stay active throughout the year attending member meetings and events, organizing public education sessions, delivering training sessions, and working within their neighborhood teams.
| Current Board of Directors | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Jim Emanuelson |
President |
2025-2027 |
|
Dr. George Jenckes |
Vice President |
2024-2026 |
|
Mike Rogers |
Treasurer/Secretary |
2024-2026 |
|
Pam Charron |
Director – Team Captains |
2026-2028 |
|
John McInally |
Director – Responder Liaison |
2026-2028 |
|
Dave Esslinger |
Director – Member Technology |
2025-2027 |
|
TBD |
Director – Community Outreach |
2025-2027 |
|
Robert Swiatek |
Advisor |
|
In recognition of the 15th anniversary of the organization, January 22, 2022 was proclaimed LWR CERT Day in Manatee County by the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.
Manatee County Emergency Management presented LWR CERT with a plaque honoring the organization’s 15 years of exemplary and dedicated service to the residents of the Lakewood Ranch Community and the citizens of Manatee County from 2006-2021.
LWR CERT was recognized as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador by the National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area for routinely sharing National Weather Service safety graphics and preparedness information to more than 755 area residents and for educating 1,100 residents at hurricane preparedness events from 2019-2021.
In Manatee and Sarasota counties, enter “911” in the “to” line and send a message. providing an exact location of the emergency.
