Portland Community Resilience Champions

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Portland's communities and local government come together through PBEM on a mission to build our cooperative resilience to disasters. The Community Resilience Champions who put in this work are NET volunteers, COAD members, government workers, faith leaders, nonprofit employees, business leaders, and neighbors. We wish to recognize them all. In doing so, we grow a shared history and culture of resilience in Portland aspiring to instill pride, meaning, and connectedness between all who live, work, play, and worship in Portland.

PBEM has different means of recognizing Community Resilience Champions. The purpose of this page is to memorialize the names and accomplishments of those who have received public recognition from PBEM as Community Resilience Champions.

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Volunteer Profile Digital Badges

The Volunteer Impact software (colloquially called "MIP") allows PBEM to attach digital badges to profiles for volunteers after accomplishing specific milestones or training. An image of each badge with the criteria appears in the expandable table below.

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	Title	Criteria	VSF	Date added	Frequency
	ARO		VSF 02
	ARO: BEECN	For NET volunteers who are ARO qualified and assigned to a fire station for the BEECN program.	VSF 02
	ARO: Net Controller		VSF 02
	ARO: Winlink		VSF 02
	Assistant Team Leader		VSF 05
	ECC Qualified		VSF 05
	First Aid		VSF 08
	Pet Prep		VSF 17
	Rose Festival		N/A
	Scenario Village		N/A
	Shelter Staff		VSF 06
	Shelter Staff PIC		VSF 06
	Speakers' Bureau		VSF 14
	Stop the Bleed		VSF 08
	Wilderness First Aid		VSF 08

PBEM-Issued Challenge Coins

A challenge coin is a coin (usually 1¾" in diameter if issued by PBEM) bearing an organization's insignia. Historically, challenge coins were presented by military unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit. They could also be (and still are) exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization. For detailed information on the history of challenge coins, please visit Wikipedia's page on challenge coins. Though challenge coins originated in military service, they have come into common use by public safety organizations such as emergency management. PBEM uses challenge coins as awards in recognition of public safety traditions; and, because they look neat, are collectible, and are easy to design.

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Challenge Coin Replacement Policy

If a challenge coin is lost or stolen, PBEM will replace it if we still have them in supply. If the lost coin is individually numbered, the replacement coin will have a new number (old numbers cannot be re-struck).

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City of Portland Flag Challenge Coin

Proof specs of the City of Portland Flag Challenge Coin.

The City of Portland Flag Challenge Coin was intended as a coin to commemorate special visits to PBEM and recognize the work of City employees in bureaus other than PBEM, but later came into additional use as an award to NET volunteers. The reverse side of the coin is modeled from the official City of Portland flag.

Specifications: Double-sided, 1¾" in diameter, polished silver with color option. Front: City of Portland seal. Reverse: City of Portland flag; specifically, the white four-pointed star (a truncated hypocycloid) from which radiate blue stripes, each bordered by L-shaped yellow elements with a green field in the background. Along the edge on a black border, "PRESENTED WITH APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SERVICE".

Background and Status: Designed by Dave Blitzer, began issuing in August 2014 with one print run of 500. Now out of print, and there are none available for re-issue.

16 NET volunteers received this coin as "Peer Awards"; they were nominated for the award by their fellow teammates. They are:

Name	Representing	Award Date	Citation
Beaston, John	Overlook NET	2016.02.27
Bixby, Mitch	Overlook NET	2016.02.27
Churchill, Sam	Hayden Island NET	2016.02.27
Colvin, Michael	Piedmont NET	2017.03.04
Fischer, Robert	Collins View NET	2017.03.04
Ginsberg, Mark	Woodstock NET	2017.03.04
Hinojosa, Alicia	Hazelwood NET	2017.03.04
Morris, John	Hillsdale NET	2015.02.26	Presented to John jointly with Lynn Rossing: John and Lynn recently stepped down as co-leaders of Hillsdale NET, after leading that team for eight years. They have consistently promoted NET and emergency preparedness in Hillsdale at community events such as the Hillsdale Springfest. They have also been successful obtaining grants for their team, and building a significant cache of emergency supplies in Hillsdale. Their leadership has created a solid foundation for the Hillsdale Team for years to come.
Newman, Barry	Northwest Heights NET	2017.03.04
Read, Maryellen	Collins View NET	2016.02.27
Rentz, Ed	Laurelhurst NET	2015.02.26	From the recognition event talking points: "Ed has been with the NET program for over 15 years. For nearly all of those years, he has served as the Team Leader for Laurelhurst NET, the longest established team in Portland. Additionally, he serves on the NET Leadership Committee shaping policy for the NET program, and has served on the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management’s budget committee. He has been present at nearly every Final Field Exercise, assisting Portland Fire & Rescue with training new NET volunteers. Ed is a team leader that other team leaders depend on for advice and insight. He is an exemplary model of organization and dedication."
Rok, Pete	Powellhurst-Gilbert NET	2015.02.26	From the recognition event talking points: "Pete became certified as a NET volunteer in the Fall 2013 class. But in the short time since then, he has already distinguished himself among his fellow volunteers. He is a familiar face at nearly every training and deployment event we’ve had since he became a member. He has participated in BEECN drills, the Operation Stumptown search and rescue exercise, and was one of five volunteers on the Portland CERT Olympics team. Pete is an all-around NET, with certifications in amateur radio, ATC-20, and First Aid. He also deployed to help at Red Cross warming centers during the storm late last year, despite recovering from a set of broken ribs. Finally, Pete is a rock-solid part of the St. Johns training team, helping put on NET training events in North Portland. NET volunteers who work with him describe Pete as consistently enthusiastic and brings a calming presence to everything he does."
Rossing, Lynn	Hillsdale NET	2015.02.26	Presented to Lynn jointly with John Morris: John and Lynn recently stepped down as co-leaders of Hillsdale NET, after leading that team for eight years. They have consistently promoted NET and emergency preparedness in Hillsdale at community events such as the Hillsdale Springfest. They have also been successful obtaining grants for their team, and building a significant cache of emergency supplies in Hillsdale. Their leadership has created a solid foundation for the Hillsdale Team for years to come.
Schilmoeller, Michael	Argay-Parkrose NET	2016.02.27
Short, Barbara	South Waterfront NET	2017.03.04
Warner, John	Pearl District NET	2017.03.04

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PBEM Bureau Challenge Coin

Proof specs of the PBEM Bureau Challenge Coin.

PBEM Bureau Coins are the coins most often awarded to NET volunteers in recognition of excellent contributions to the NET program and community resilience. Each of these coins are individually numbered with the recipient's name, commendations, and award citations recorded on this page.

Specifications: Double-sided, 1¾" in diameter, polished silver with color option. Front: PBEM logo, with the coin number stamped just below. Along the edge, "PORTLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT" and "READINESS·RESPONSE·RECOVERY". Reverse: City of Portland seal.

Background and Status: Designed in 2014 by Dave Blitzer (PBEM Ops Manager). PBEM began issuing these coins around February of 2014 with an initial print run of 300. They are still in print.

A commendation indicates the category of recognition a coin is awarded for, and each coin is awarded for at least one commendation. However, some challenge coin recipients earn recognition more than once. In these cases, instead of issuing another coin, PBEM adds an additional commendation to the coin's number and updates the citation. Below is a table of possible commendations associated with a PBEM Bureau Challenge Coin:

Commendation	Criteria
NET Team Leader	Awardee served three or more years as a NET Team Leader and/or Assistant Team Leader; and/or, awardee served in a leadership role for less than that period but contributed exceptional leadership (e.g. founded a new team, significantly increased membership, etc.) Available only to current/former NET Team Leaders and Assistant Team Leaders.
Trainer Accolade	Awardee has trained no less than 500 or more NET volunteers and/or introduced or innovated a program of training for Portland NET. Available to anyone.
Program Innovation	Awardee responsible for the creation of an impactful program, policy/practice, or design that PBEM and NET volunteers have adopted to advance community resilience. Available to anyone.
Operations Excellence	Awardee provided exceptional community service during a deployment. Available only to NET volunteers (non-NETs may receive it if they acted as a NET volunteer during a deployment).
Outreach Champion	Acknowledging a volunteer's efforts to improve community networks and/or community education; particularly for communities underserved by government. Available to any NET volunteer or person whose work intersects with PBEM's community outreach work.
Radio Award	Awardee has served as a Radio Training Liaison (RTL), and/or contributed significant program development to NET's radio policies/practices. Available to anyone.
Service Appreciation	In recognition of exceptional service to the NET program and NET volunteers. Available to anyone.
Visit Commemoration	Awarded in memorialize a special visit to NET volunteers. Available to non-NETs.
PBEM Staff	Awardee is a PBEM staffperson whose position included serving the NET program. Available only to paid PBEM staff.

To view a table of all NET-associated recipients of the PBEM Bureau Challenge Coin, click the link below that says "Expand". Note that each column of the table is sortable. To find a name alphabetically, sort by the name column.

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Name	Representing	Coin #	Award Date	Citation	Commendations
Van Keuren, Jeremy	PBEM	9	2014.03.01	Expand Awarded by Carmen Merlo, PBEM Director.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Wilson-Angel, Da'Von	PBEM	16	2022.05.30	Expand Former NET Coordinator and Lead Trainer (2018 - 2022). Da'Von implemented and routinized a Wilderness First Aid program in NET, instructed hundreds of new NET trainees, and made great strides to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity in NET programming. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation. ★ .Outreach Champion ★ .PBEM Staff.
Hall, Laura	PBEM (RDPO)	17	2019.12.01	Expand Laura became one of PBEM's go-to volunteers for giving preparedness presentations to neighborhoods. She also helped restart and lead Arbor Lodge NET. She later joined RDPO as the Disaster Messaging Coordinator.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Outreach Champion. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Jones, Ernie	PBEM	18	2014.03.01		.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Zuro, Gail	Rose City Park NET, Multnomah County	29	2019.05.11	Expand On 03/16/2019, a water main break inundated the neighborhood of NE 24th and Skidmore. NET volunteers were deployed to assist the Water Bureau in controlling the scene. Ernie Jones led the NET deployment. Gail took initiative to help Ernie organize the scene and manage the volunteers. She assisted with check ins and check outs, and was the last volunteer on the scene as Glenn Devitt closed the operation. The NET presence was praised by the Water Bureau and Commissioner JoAnn Hardesty. Without Gail going above and beyond, the response might not have gone so smoothly. Awarded at the NET 25th Anniversary Celebration.	.Operations Excellence.
Conte, Carrie	NET Radio Training Liaisons	30	2019.05.11	Expand Carrie has worked to improve NET's radio capabilities. For example, she worked on rewrites to Unit 9, served as an RTL, and improved radio infrastructure in SW Portland by "adopting" a radio antenna that others can use. Awarded at the NET 25th Anniversary Celebration.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award.
Watson, Angela	Arbor Lodge NET	31	2019.05.11	Expand Angela Watson led creation and organization of the NET Citywide Deployment Exercise, which is now a routine and important part of NET participation and training. Angela is also a planner and contributor to NETCamp. Finally, Angela founded and leads the Arbor Lodge NET. Awarded at the NET 25th Anniversary Celebration.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade.
Reece, Kelly and John	Southwest Hills NET	32	2019.12.16	Expand Excellent service as NET Team Leaders. Both were in the first NET class in 1994. Kelly provided valuable advice and guidance when Jeremy came on board as NET Coordinator in 2012. When Kelly became a TL in 2013, she formed relationships with local churches. John was a pioneering ARO (one of the first) and an important supporter of the BEECN program.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Radio Award.
Dubinsky, Sandy	Laurelhurst NET	33	2020.02.01	Expand Excellent service as a NET Team Leader. Also helped create and site the Laurelhurst equipment cache.	.NET Team Leader.
Love, Eva	PBEM	35	2019.12.01	Expand Former PBEM staff assistant for the Community Resilience Team. She was an active and innovative contributor to PBEM policy development concerning volunteer management.	.PBEM Staff.
Starhawk	Self	36	2020.03.08	Expand Commemorative of her visit to Portland to instruct the first NET Leadership class with curriculum based on her book The Empowerment Manual.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Visit Commemoration.
Johnson, Diane	Mmapeu Management Consulting	37	2020.03.08	Expand Commemorative of her visit to Portland to instruct the first NET Leadership class to co-instruct with Starhawk and provide diversity, equity and inclusion curricula to NET Leaders.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Visit Commemoration.
Gard, Amy	Concordia/ Vernon/ Woodlawn NET	40	2019.12.11	Expand Excellent service as a NET Team Leader. Commendation added for her excellent contributions in the ECC during the city's COVID-19 response.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Operations Excellence.
Hasan, Bill	Hillsdale NET	45	2019.12.10	Expand Excellent service as a NET Team Leader.	.NET Team Leader.
Devitt, Glenn	PBEM	47	2019.12.01	Expand Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Outreach Champion. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Cummings, Tiffany	Cascadia Moulage	54	2017.03.04	Expand Appreciation for work as a volunteer moulage artist.	.Service Appreciation.
Dalton, Laurie	Cascadia Moulage, Friends of Portland Fire & Rescue	55	2017.03.04	Expand Appreciation for work as a volunteer moulage artist and founder of Cascadia Moulage. She has successfully trained many moulage artists. Laurie has also dedicated much of her personal time to running Friends of Portland Fire & Rescue, a non-profit organization that has served as NET's 501(c)3 umbrella organization for many years. Laurie has been very supportive of NET's success as the leader of a community organization.	.Program Innovation.
Hall, Laura	Arbor Lodge/Kenton NET	56	2017.03.04	Expand Laura created the PortlandPrepares.org website in February 2016 and managed the Portland Prepares Facebook group. These social media outlets provide a place for members to post interesting Portland-wide items and announce preparedness events. While the focus is on general preparedness, the majority of the posts are directly related to NET/CERT activities. These sites are terrific complements to the PBEM website and NET Tumblr. Laura is also recognized for her extensive work with Parents4Preparedness, PCC, a lot of other smart ideas, and her work with RDPO. Nominated by John Beaston, Pete Rok, and Leslie Miller. Awarded at the 2017 NET Recognition Event at Norse Hall.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation. ★ .Outreach Champion. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Jewett, Ethan	Woodlawn NET	57	2017.03.04	Expand Ethan served as the leader for the Woodlawn NET for many years. He also received a separate challenge coin for his extensive program service (#111).	.NET Team Leader.
Moran, Mary	Cascadia Moulage	58	2017.03.04	Expand Appreciation for work as a volunteer moulage artist.	.Service Appreciation.
Overbey, Craig	Cascadia Moulage	59	2017.03.04	Expand Appreciation for work as a volunteer moulage artist.	.Service Appreciation.
Emmons, Molly	Portland Public Schools Emergency Management	60	2017.03.04	Expand For enculturating emergency management in PPS administrative offices as well as at PPS schools. Molly started the Disaster Academy at Benson High School (later replicated at other schools), and gave significant support to TeenCERT programming at Ida B. Wells and Leodis V. McDaniel High Schools.	.Program Innovation.
Ronning, Susan	Arbor Lodge/Kenton NET	61	2017.03.04	Expand With Laura Hall, Susan created the PortlandPrepares.org website in February 2016. and managed the Portland Prepares Facebook group. These social media outlets provide a place for members to post interesting Portland-wide items and announce preparedness events. While the focus is on general preparedness, the majority of the posts are directly related to NET/CERT activities. These sites are terrific complements to the PBEM website and NET Tumblr. Susan is also recognized for her leadership of the Arbor Lodge/Kenton NET. Nominated by John Beaston, Pete Rok, and Leslie Miller. Awarded at the 2017 NET Recognition Event at Norse Hall. Additional citation: Susan, through her leadership with ADCOMM, also promoted the creation of the DAMM.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation.
Rook, Jeff	University of Portland Campus CERT	62	2017.03.04	Expand As Public Safety Director at the University of Portland, Jeff started and successfully managed the U of P campus CERT program. Jeff was also a regional leader convening the CERT Olympics events.	.Program Innovation.
Walker, Sally	Cascadia Moulage	64	2017.03.04	Expand Appreciation for work as a volunteer moulage artist.	.Service Appreciation.
Jacky, Rachael	Portland Emergency Management, FEMA	65	2017.03.04	Expand Rachael Jacky is the original founder of Portland NET. She went on to coordinate CERT at the national level with FEMA.	.Program Innovation. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Marks, James		67	2017.05.19	Expand Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager.	.NET Team Leader.
Nakata, Rie	Buckman NET	68	2017.03.04
McGlathery, Kraig	Portland Police Bureau Training Division	70	2019.03.25	Expand Presented to Lt. Kraig McGlathery at the Portland Police Bureau Training Division for supporting use of Scenario Village as an exercise site for NET.	.Service Appreciation.
Crawford, Harold	Northwest Wilderness Medicine Training Center	71		Expand Harold has mentored many NET volunteers through Wilderness First Aid and provided the training before Da'Von stood it up as a regular program offering. Harold also mentored Da'Von through becoming a WFA trainer.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation.
Madden, Greg	NW Industrial NET, Madden Fabrication	72	2020.09.08	Expand Former owner of Madden Fabrication, in recognition of his firm designing both the first and second series of BEECN caches. Greg also led the NW Industrial NET.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation.
Westerveldt, Amanda	Richmond NET and PBEM	74		Expand Amanda is a top contributing NET volunteer. She served as TL for Richmond NET, co-led/coordinated the Portland Mask Project during COVID-19 and started NETCamp, and has responded to multiple deployments. She also won a CERT Volunteer of the Year Award. Amanda began her employment with PBEM in March of 2021.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation. ★ .Operations Excellence. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Glascock, Bob	Laurelhurst NET	75		Expand Excellent service as the NET Team Leader in Laurelhurst.	.NET Team Leader.
Wang, Yumei	Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries	79	2020.10.19	Expand Yumei is a well-known regional contributor to educating the public about the science around a prospective Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.	.Outreach Champion.
Snook, Carl	Laurelhurst NET	81	2018.11.26	Expand In appreciation for his many years as a NET volunteer. Awarded posthumously.	.Service Appreciation.
Isreal, Jeff and Pam	South Burlingame NET	82	2018.04.12	Expand Excellent service as the NET Team Leader in South Burlingame.	.NET Team Leader.
Kotan, Larry	Parkrose Heights NET, BEECN	84	2020.12.24	Expand Larry worked very hard to design and promote the NET Citywide Deployment Exercise. He also generously supported the BEECN program and ensured maintenance of a cache at Knott Park.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award.
Nakata, Rie	Buckman NET	85	2021.01.13	Expand Honored for her years of work with NET and international emergency response organizations.	.Service Appreciation.
Jamieson, Lisa	Brentwood-Darlington NET, Friends of NET	86	2021.03.17	Expand General service to the NET program, and particularly leadership during COVID-19 clinic deployments.	.Operations Excellence.
Hensel, James	Arnold Creek NET	87	2021.03.21	Expand Excellence as a Team Leader in Arnold Creek. James also proposed the DAMM project.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation.
Phelps, Andy	Parkrose Heights NET, NET Radio Training Liaisons	88	2021.04.23	Expand Excellence as a Radio Training Liaison. Awarded by Ernie Jones, BEECN Coordinator.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award.
Scharle, Margaret	Reed College	89	2021.05.20	Expand Mobilizing NET volunteers to connect homebound seniors and persons with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccination appointments.	.Program Innovation.
Bixby, Mitch	Overlook NET	90	2021.07.14	Expand Years of leadership and service to Overlook NET.	.NET Team Leader.
Googins, John	Ashcreek NET	97	2021.10.25	Expand Years of service as a NET volunteer.	.Service Appreciation.
Schafer, Bruce	Maplewood NET	100	2021.11.17	Expand Service as a radio leader and a NET. During the December 2022 winter storm complex, Bruce took charge of supervising transportation dispatchers through the entire event. Bruce completed 13 shifts (approximately 55 hours) to ensure 348 persons needing shelter could get transportation to a warming center. 2023.06.23: Citation for his work on the first NET Fair; Bruce was responsible for getting the webpage together. PBEM is also recognizing his work on the NET Wiki project; he is writing pages and adding modules to make it look great.	Trainer Accolade. ★ .Operations Excellence. ★ .Radio Award.
Winkelman, Kathleen	Sacramento CERT	101	2021.04.24	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Visit Commemoration.
Ross, Robert	Sacramento CERT	102	2021.04.24	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
O'Dell, Jody	Sacramento CERT	103	2021.04.24	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
Smith, Sandra	Sacramento CERT	104	2021.04.24	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
Cassidy Norton, Kerry	PUP NET	107	2022.07.18	Expand Excellence as a Team Leader in Portsmouth NET.	.NET Team Leader.
Bissonnette, Jeff	St. Johns NET	108	2022.07.18	Expand Leadership and work on CDEs.
Jewett, Ethan	Woodlawn NET	111		Expand Ethan has been a strong leader for NET, investing much of his personal time and resources to strengthen community resilience. Not only has Ethan led a team (for which he received coin #57), but he also contributed his skill as a graphic designer to create the NET logo and commence NET's visual language. Ethan was a founder of the Disaster Relief Trials, and the 55th Cascadia Scouts. During the COVID-19 response, Ethan mobilized "strike teams" to complete small but critical tasks to provide underserved communities with sanitizer and other supplies. Ethan was responsible for the design of the COVID-19 Challenge Coin.	.Program Innovation. ★ .Operations Excellence.
Henry, Stuart	Neighbor2Neighbor	125	2022.03.12	Expand Managing the Neighbor2Neighbor program and contributions to the COAD. Awarded by Kate Szrom, PBEM COAD Coordinator.	.Program Innovation.
Warner, John	Pearl District NET	155	2015.02.26	Expand John made several lasting accomplishments to Portland NET. He served as a member of the NET Leadership Committee. John designed a deployment simulator which has informed how NETs design operations plans. John also single-handedly created a toolkit for NETs to prepare residential buildings ("vertical communities" for a major disaster. Finally, John led the Portland team in a CERT Olympics. Awarded by Commissioner Steve Novick at the 2015 NET Recognition Event in Portland City Hall.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation.
Beaston, John	Overlook NET	156	2015.02.26	Expand Worked to step up NET's game around radio use and competency. Developed Basic NET Unit 9 with Helen Chauncey. Helped other NETs conduct radio mapping, and took charge of drawing the FRS radio map for Portland. John is also a Red Cross volunteer, and volunteers with Manzanita CERT. Awarded by Carmen Merlo, PBEM Director, at the 2015 NET Recognition Event in Portland City Hall.	.Program Innovation. ★ .Radio Award.
Chauncey, Helen	Southwest Hills NET	157	2015.02.26	Expand With John Beaston, Helen developed a Basic NET training unit to instruct NET trainees on radio use (Unit 9). Helen has also done significant and lasting work to promote amateur radio in NET, and was one of the first Radio Training Liaisons (though the title was not coined yet). Helen helped PBEM develop the BEECN program, and built bridges between Multnomah ARES and PBEM. Was also the person who suggested to Jeremy posting online recognition for NETs. Awarded by David Blitzer, PBEM Operations Manager, at the 2015 NET Recognition Event in Portland City Hall.	.Program Innovation. ★ .Radio Award.
Schilmoeller, Michael	Argay-Parkrose NET, NET Radio Training Liaisons	158	2015.02.26	Expand Michael has made many significant contributions to furthering NET's radio programs. First, he developed the Radio Training Liaison standards (and was one of the first RTLs). Michael also came up with and implemented the Portland NET amateur radio net for new AROs; the "NET net" has had many "this is my first time on the air" comments. In his years with NET, he has trained many AROs in different radio positions and several of his trainees have gone on to serve with ARES. Nominated for award by John Beaston, presented at the 2015 NET Recognition Event in Portland City Hall.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation. ★ .Radio Award.
Enomoto, Julie	Sellwood NET	163	2015.09.30	Expand For a generous donation to NET through the Friends of Portland Fire & Rescue.
Shipman, Virginia		164	2015.09.30	Expand For a generous donation to NET through the Friends of Portland Fire & Rescue.
Dulley, Gwen	Pearl District NET	165	2015.10.23	Expand Gwen has been an ardent supporter of NET since becoming a volunteer, and took the reins of the Pearl District NET after the departure of their prior Team Leader.	.NET Team Leader.
Parman, Bryan	Portland Police Bureau Training Division	168	2016.02.27	Expand As the first Portland Police Captain in charge of the PPB Training Complex, Capt. Parman allowed NET volunteers to begin using Scenario Village for comprehensive response exercises.	.Program Innovation.
Janssens, Erin	Portland Fire & Rescue	170	2016.02.27	Expand Chief Erin Janssens; support of the NET program.
Christensen, Shon	Portland Fire & Rescue	173	2016.02.27	Expand Lt. Shon Christensen has been a long-time NET trainer and often logs more trainer hours than any other NET trainer. He most often instructs fire suppression, HAZMAT, knots, and search & rescue. Shon wrote the NET guide for knots.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation.
Rodriguez, Marcel	Arnold Creek NET	174	2016.02.27	Expand Marcel has been a long time team leader in Arnold Creek. He is a search and rescue specialist and frequently trains NET volunteers on medical response skills. Marcel also developed the NET Individual Treatment Record form. Marcel formerly received recognition for his many contributions at the 2010 Public Safety Recognition Event.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation.
Busch, Alice	Multnomah County Emergency Management	175	2016.02.27	Expand Alice, an employee of Multnomah County, is one of NET's top trainers (particularly for mental health response). Alice generally trains NETs in her own free time.	.Trainer Accolade.
Saby, Heather	Portland Printing & Distribution	176	2018.06.24	Expand In appreciation for her work with NET in Portland's Printing and Distribution Office.	.Service Appreciation.
Willet, Tammy	Portland Fire & Rescue Training Division	177	2018.06.24	Expand In appreciation for her work with NET at in PF&R's Training Campus.	.Service Appreciation.
Legler, John	Creston-Kenilworth NET	178	2018.06.24	Expand Citation for his work on the first NET Fair; John coordinated the classes, registration, and much more.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade.
Vinograd, Patrick	Hosford-Abernethy NET	179	2018.05.08	Expand Excellence as a Team Leader for Hosford-Abernethy NET.	.NET Team Leader.
Dilfer, Carol	Woodstock NET	186	2018.06.24	BEECN #40
Jones, Dana	NET Radio Training Liaisons	187	2018.06.24	Expand Excellence as a Radio Training Liaison.	.Radio Award.
Jelinek, Lenka	Arlington Heights NET	188	2018.06.24	Expand Founded the Arlington Heights NET and raised it up quickly. Lenka was recognized as "New NET Leader" of the year.	.NET Team Leader.
Reese, Kathy	Parkrose NET, Friends of Portland NET	189	2018.06.24	Expand CDE, Friends of NET	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade.
Yan, Courtney	Taborvilla NET, Washington County Emergency Management	200	2020.09.25	Expand Excellent service in the COVID-19 ECC. Courtney also led Taborvilla NET and the Medical Cadre, and is a top trainer for medical response areas. Courtney was also lauded during the January 2023 winter response when, as a volunteer, she took on a last-minute graveyard shift from PBEM ground support dispatch so that PBEM staff could catch some sleep. Awarded by Katy Wolf, PBEM Operations Manager.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Trainer Accolade. ★ .Operations Excellence. ★ .PBEM Staff.
Shanders, Kevin	Portland Fire & Rescue	278	2020.04.29	Expand Excellent service in the COVID-19 ECC. Awarded by Dan Douthit, PBEM Public Information Officer.	.Trainer Accolade.
Lapp, Nancy	Brentwood Darlington NET	301	2022.09.17	Expand From 2012 to September 2022, Nancy logged about 1,300 volunteer hours. Nancy has been part of many deployments, has helped train other NET volunteers, and has helped PBEM staff with important administrative tasks such as running NET Camp. and tabling at outreach events all over Portland. Nancy is also researching tabletop games to simulate deployments, and has a background knowledge of emergency management that has served her community. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Operations Excellence. ★ .Outreach Champion.
Gonzalez-Cress, Maria	Lents NET	302	2022.09.17	Expand Between April 2021 and August this year, Maria volunteered for 45 deployments. The majority of those deployments were at COVID-19 vaccination clinics during 2021, doing everything from flagging traffic to assisting the medical staff. Maria also helped out during the nasty bouts of weather we had, volunteering at cooling centers and Logistics at the Joint Office of Homeless services. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Operations Excellence.
Fine, Kate	Taborvilla NET	303	2022.09.17	Expand In addition to volunteering as a NET, Kate is an ARO and volunteers for BEECN. From 2017 to 2022, Kate volunteered 525 hours. From January 2021 to August 2022, she volunteered for 29 shifts. She helped out at misting stations and vaccine clinics. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Operations Excellence.
Frisch, Tom	Tom11 Films	304	2022.09.17	Expand Tom, an independent filmmaker (Tom11 Films), was the first film professional who worked consistently with PBEM to create video-based training curriculum and develop a visual language for NET training videos. Importantly, Tom applied levity to topics otherwise dry and boring. Tom also made the process accessible, doing everything from script development to final editing. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Program Innovation.
Neal, Spencer	Overlook NET	305	2022.09.17	Expand With the COVID response and climate change emergencies, 2021-2022 was a busy period for NET deployments. Spencer signed up for 26 deployments in that time; more than nearly any other volunteer. Spencer is also a frequent "extra" in NET training videos. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Operations Excellence.
Weisgram, Jim	NET Radio Training Liaisons	306	2022.09.17	Expand Jim took multiple shifts at the Expo Center in response to COVID, and has served as an RTL. With Bruce Schafer, Jim was also key to the NET ICS Forms redesign project. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Program Innovation. ★ .Operations Excellence. ★ .Radio Award.
Hovde, Janel		307	2022.09.17	Expand Janel volunteered tirelessly during heatwaves as a transportation dispatcher. Particularly, she was indispensable to PBEM's Ground Support Team and helping 211info dispatchers. She also filled in for PBEM staff as a lead dispatcher. Janel's professionalism, dedication, can-do attitude, and grace distinguished her to all the emergency management professionals she worked with. Awarded by Jeremy Van Keuren, PBEM Community Resilience Manager at the 2022 NET Recognition Event at NETCamp.	.Operations Excellence.
Stewart, Kathryn		308	2015.02.26	Expand From Carmen Merlo's talking points at the recognition event: "Outreach to our communities is some of the most important work that NETs do. It’s through outreach that we promote this program to get new members, and it’s through outreach that we prepare our communities for a major disaster. Kathryn has been indispensable for our outreach efforts. Every event takes a great deal of planning. Kathryn has been extremely generous with her time, having given at least 31 hours of volunteer time in outreach alone (and probably more). More importantly, I know I can rely on Kathryn to do an excellent job promoting NET and talking with people about emergency preparedness. I can give her a box of materials and she knows exactly what to do."	.Outreach Champion.
Gordon, Anna	Verde	309	2022.10.24	Expand In appreciation for her work to stand up, produce, and help manage the first Spanish NET program in partnership with Verde.	.Outreach Champion.
Ginsberg, Mark	Woodstock NET	310		Expand Excellence as a Team Leader in Woodstock NET.	.NET Team Leader.
Spoon, Jeremy	Portland State University, Emergency Management and Community Resilience Program	312	2022.12.10	Expand Jeremy Spoon, Ph.D. was instrumental in establishing PSU's Emergency Management and Community Resilience Program and opening more collaboration between PSU and PBEM. Dr. Spoon led the capstone program that also helped PBEM begin a program of engagement with Rosewood Initiative's Nepali community.	.Program Innovation.
Hiser, Nancy	Linnton NET	314	2023.09.15	Expand Nancy Hiser is recognized for her outstanding service as the NET Team Leader for Linnton from September 2017 to September 2023. Throughout her tenure, Nancy demonstrated dedication and persistent advocacy for disaster resilience, significantly enhancing the community's preparedness. A few of the original projects Nancy led for Linnton include a disaster equipment cache program for every hill in Linnton; a series of preparedness videos exclusively for Linnton residents; and linking her work in NET to Portland Clean Air, a political committee working to address industrial pollution in Multnomah and Washington Counties.	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation.
Winkelman, Kathleen	Sacramento CERT Pet Sheltering Crew	356	2023.06.17	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
Ross, Robert	Sacramento CERT Pet Sheltering Crew	357	2023.06.17	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
Mata, Steve	Sacramento CERT Pet Sheltering Crew	358	2023.06.17	Expand Sacramento CERT Animal Sheltering training Portland NET.	.Visit Commemoration.
capestany, annie	Reed NET	354	2023.06.24	Expand annie worked on the first NET Fair and personally translated all the materials into Spanish so that the Verde team could participate.	.Outreach Champion.
Meininger, Mark	Sabin NET	355	2023.06.24	Expand Mark is a Team Lead erfor Sabin NET. "He is also receiving an Operations Excellence commendation for multiple deployments to homeless warming and cooling shelters as a PIC. Finally, I am adding a Program Innovation commendation for his work on a block party kit, and his status as a founding member of Friends of Portland NET."	.NET Team Leader. ★ .Program Innovation. ★ .Operations Excellence. ★
Hubbard, Kate		353	2023.06.24	Expand Kate installed the Mental Health First Aid certification program as a regular training curricula for Portland NET, and (at the time of the recognition) has trained over a dozen classes.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Program Innovation.
Myers, Edmund		352	2023.06.24	Expand Ed is a lead Wilderness First Aid instructor and has trained scores of NET volunteers to be more proficient disaster medical responders. Dr. Myers also very graciously stepped in to take over instruction at 2023 NET Camp when a fellow instructor had to call in sick.	.Trainer Accolade.
Lewis, Jonny	Portland Public Schools	315	2024.06.01	Expand Jonny is the Emergency Management Program Manager for Portland Public Schools. Not only is Jonny an important operational partner for PBEM, he has led the charge to expand Teen CERT programs in collaboration with PBEM, Multnomah County Emergency Management, and other educational campuses in the region.	.Service Appreciation.
Olsen, Aaron	Portland Public Schools, Ida B. Wells HS	316	2024.06.01	Expand As a High School Health Sciences CTE Teacher, Aaron established and has instructed Teen CERT programs for years, in collaboration with PBEM and Multnomah County. In addition to the hundreds of students Aaron has taught extensively in his classes, many more are exposed to emergency preparedness through day-long campus events he coordinates.	.Service Appreciation.
Gill, Darshanpreet	Portland Public Schools, Leodis V. McDaniel HS	317	2024.06.01	Expand As a high school Biomedical Science teacher, Darshanpreet created and leads the Teen CERT program at Leodis V. McDaniel High School, especially cultivating emergency response preparedness and response skills in students interested in medical careers.	.Service Appreciation.
Weiner, Herb	Reed NET	318	2024.06.01	Expand Herb is a master trainer who frequently instructs Basic NET Training units on Fire Suppression and Utility Control, and Radio Communications. He also founded the local nonprofit AA7HW.org/ which is a collective of volunteer ham radio trainers who provide instruction and license testing to amateur radio operators in the NET ranks and beyond.	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award.
Hansen, David	Overlook NET	319	2024.06.01	Expand PBEM would like to recognize David Hansen's contribution to our HAM radio network and the BEECN program. About a year ago, David offered to Ernie to inventory and update the templates on all the orange kits in all 31 fire stations, a huge undertaking. He finished earlier this year. David has also become our certified Instructors who provide advanced medical training and certification to NETs, including Wilderness First Aid (WFA).	.Trainer Accolade. ★ .Radio Award.
Brady, Brian Patrick	ADCOMM Engineering	320	2024.06.01	Expand Brian is a GIS (mapping) expert who developed the Damage Assessment Mapping Module for PBEM, and also voluntarily supports local teams with other mapping projects. The DAMM found a new purpose during the January 2024 ice storms when NETs deployed to document damage in their communities; the data collected was used in Portland's successful application for a Federal Disaster Declaration. Brian's technical expertise is also informed by his experience as a forester and wildland firefighter.	.Service Appreciation. ★ .Program Innovation.
Lucchin, Franco	City of Portland, City Attorney's Office	321	2024.06.01	Expand Until recently, Franco was the City Attorney assigned to PBEM. PBEM and Portland NET recognizes Franco's exceptional service as we've navigated the risk and legality of many novel approaches to problem solving for emergency management, community resilience, and volunteer management. Franco consistently took a "how can we make this happen?" approach to collaboration with PBEM and NET. Without his guidance, Portland NET wouldn't be what it is today.	.Service Appreciation.
Vent, Nick	Sustainable Workplace Alliance	322	2024.06.01	Expand Nick is an award-winning, certified hazardous materials response instructor with more than 35 years experience training and certifying fire, law enforcement, industry, and environmental professionals who respond to chemical emergencies. Nick has traveled to Portland from San Diego many times to train hundreds of NETs in HAZMAT awareness and respirator fit testing, at no cost to the City through the nonprofit Sustainable Workplace Alliance. Nick's acceptance comments are HERE.	.Trainer Accolade.
Wiedenhoft, Larry	Portland Downtown NET, American Red Cross	323	2024.06.01	Expand Larry Wiedenhoft, RN/BSN, EMT is a longtime NET volunteer (2013) and master trainer who has educated hundreds of NETs and other community members in life-saving medical skills ranging from Basic NET Training to Wilderness First Aid. Larry retooled the Basic NET Training Disaster Psychology unit for us based on his research and experience as a nurse and EMT with Nehalem Fire & Rescue, and in disaster responses where he deploys with the American Red Cross. As one of two qualified master instructors in the U.S.A., in 2023 Larry was tapped to travel to Vietnam to launch the countrywide training program for professional medical first responders. His expertise and dedication is a shining example of NETs contributing their talents to this work, and we are lucky to have him in our instructor corps.	.Trainer Accolade.
Zanetti, Tony	City of Portland, Portland Parks & Recreation	324	2024.06.01	Expand Tony is the Emergency Management Coordinator for Portland Parks & Recreation. When he took that job, he quickly demonstrated his commitment to community resilience by learning as much as he could about the BEECN and NET program, including taking Basic NET Training himself. He has been an instrumental partner in the City, navigating the bureaucracy with good humor to mobilize Parks resources to support NET exercises such as the Citywide Disaster Exercise (CDE), deployments like emergency warming shelters, and the regional UAS (drone) training program.	.Service Appreciation.
Newell, Hugh	Self; professional illustrator	325	2024.06.01	Expand PBEM and NET has worked with Hugh since 2018. PBEM is recognizing Hugh for his pivotal role developing a visual language for the NET program and PBEM community outreach programs. His creativity and artistic talent have brought clarity and engagement to our work, making safety information accessible and memorable. Hugh's illustrations have appeared in many PBEM publications, most notably in the PocketPrep. He has also produced diagrams and translated complex concepts into visual narratives that diverse audiences can use and understand.	.Program Innovation.
Mill, Robert	Woodburn CERT	351	2024.06.01		.Operations Excellence.
Bellerby, Linda	Multnomah County ARES	431	2025.02.18	Expand In recognition of Linda's service as Bravo Team Leader, her service during many NET and BEECN related exercises, her contributions as a NET volunteer, and her help transferring radio room knowledge to PBEM staff.	.Radio Award.
Newberry, Emily	Multnomah County ARES	432	2025.02.18	Expand In recognition of Emily's service as Bravo Team Leader and station chief, her service during many NET and BEECN related exercises, and her contributions as a NET volunteer.	.Radio Award.
Ethington, Don	PrepareSmart LLC	493	2025.02.25	Expand Awarded in appreciation of PrepareSmart LLC's twelve years supplying NET volunteers, the excellent service of PrepareSmart staff, and their contributions to Portland's disaster resilience.	.Service Appreciation.
Prekeges, Sandy	PrepareSmart LLC	494	2025.02.25	Expand Awarded in appreciation of PrepareSmart LLC's twelve years supplying NET volunteers, the excellent service of PrepareSmart staff, and their contributions to Portland's disaster resilience.	.Service Appreciation.
Polk, Deena	PrepareSmart LLC	495	2025.02.25	Expand Awarded in appreciation of PrepareSmart LLC's twelve years supplying NET volunteers, the excellent service of PrepareSmart staff, and their contributions to Portland's disaster resilience.	.Service Appreciation.
Oratz, Keith	PrepareSmart LLC	496	2025.02.25	Expand Awarded in appreciation of PrepareSmart LLC's twelve years supplying NET volunteers, the excellent service of PrepareSmart staff, and their contributions to Portland's disaster resilience.	.Service Appreciation.

Proof specs of the NET Task Book Challenge Coin.

NET Task Book Coin

TBA

NET 25th Anniversary Commemorative Coin

Proof specs of the NET 25th Anniversary Party Challenge Coin.

Proof specs of the COVID-19 Response Challenge Coin, designed by Ethan Jewett and Jeremy Van Keuren.

These coins were distributed to NETs attending the NET 25th Anniversary Party on May 11, 2019 and also mailed to NETs active at the time who couldn't make it.

Specifications: Double-sided, 1¾" in diameter, polished gold with color option. Front: NET logo, with "25 YEARS" stamped just below. Along the edge of both sides, "PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY TEAMS 1994 - 2019". Reverse: PF&R and PBEM logos over the City of Portland flag.

COVID-19 Response Challenge Coin

The COVID-19 Response coin was struck to commemorate the COVID-19 response for City of Portland employees and response partners (including NET volunteers). PBEM intended that anyone who responded with PBEM to COVID-19 should receive one if they wanted one. The front face design features an N95 mask. The Latin inscription, Separamur ut una maneamus, means "We separate to stay together".

Specifications: Double-sided, 1¾" in diameter, polished silver with color option. Front: colors representing the different ECC sections, behind an N95 mask in white, behind a coronavirus in black. A black outer edge that reads "2020 CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE" on the top and "SEPARAMUR UT UNA MANEAMUS" along the bottom; a silver coronavirus intervenes at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. Reverse: the logos of the City of Portland (top apex), Portland ECC (bottom left) and PBEM (bottom right) against a black field. In a silver outer edge the words "CITY OF PORTLAND, OREGON' and "READINESS·RESPONSE·RECOVERY"

Background and status: Front was designed by Ethan Jewett, reverse was designed by Jeremy Van Keuren. Katy Wolf suggested the Latin phrase. There were two print runs. They are now out of print, but PBEM still has a small supply available for issue.

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NET Award Plaques

Ed Rentz receiving a plaque for his long-time leadership with Laurelhurst NET. Photo by Ernest Jones.

In prior years, trophy plaques were awarded to Team Leaders on the request of their team for exceptional service, usually when retiring as a Team Lead. This award has been discontinued for budget equity reasons. PBEM has the following plaques in the record:

Name	Team	Award Date	Citation
Dill-Simpson, Terri	Laurelhurst NET	2016.11.16	Presented In Deep Appreciation To Terri Dill-Simpson In recognition of your 20 years of hard work and dedication to the Portland NET program, the neighbors of Laurelhurst and the members of the Laurelhurst NET. Your tireless contributions as an Assistant Team Leader and author of the team's Operations Plan have helped make the team what it is today. November 16, 2016
McCawley, Douglass "Mac”	Laurelhurst NET	2017.03.15	Presented In Deep Appreciation To Douglass “Mac” McCawley In recognition of your 16 years of hard work and dedication to the Portland NET program, the neighbors of Laurelhurst and the members of the Laurelhurst NET. Your tireless contributions as an Assistant Team Leader have helped make the team what it is today. March 15, 2017
Masterson, Judy	St. Johns NET	2014.01.16	Original text is missing, but it was for keeping the St. Johns team active and vibrant.
Merlo, Carmen	PBEM	2018.06.24	Presented in Appreciation To Carmen Merlo In recognition of your decade of service and dedication to the Portland Neighborhood Emergency Team program. Your leadership, commitment, and advocacy as the Director of the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management set a new foundation for the NET program that volunteers will recognize in the decades to come. June 24, 2018
Picard, Laurent	PF&R	2018.06.24	Presented in Appreciation To Laurent Picard In recognition of your years of service as the Portland Fire & Rescue Neighborhood Emergency Team Training Coordinator. Your compassion and insight has guided the NET program, the NET volunteers, and the NET Trainers to higher possibilities for community resilience. June 24, 2018
Rentz, Ed	Laurelhurst NET	2015.12.16	Presented In Deep Appreciation To Ed Rentz In recognition of your 15 years of hard work and dedication to the Portland NET program, the neighbors of Laurelhurst and the members of the Laurelhurst NET. Your tireless leadership and commitment as Team Leader set the example for those who follow you and made the team what it is today. December 16, 2015
Silva, Matthew	PF&R	2014.01.16	Original text is missing, but it was in recognition of helping to maintain the NET program and excellence as a NET trainer.

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Other Awards and Commendations

Edmund Myers, MD: Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Ed Myers, MD and an image of the Bronze Presidential Medallion.

Ed Myers (not only a NET but a well-known NET trainer) received a 2023 Bronze Volunteer Service Award for contributing the most hours in Oregon's State Managed Volunteer Pool (SMVP), with 160 hours under his belt. Though this was not awarded through his time with Portland NET, SMVP is a related program under SERV-OR, and we'd like to recognize Ed's achievement here as well. The citation on his certificate reads:

In recognition of your outstanding contribution of 160 volunteer hours during 2023 & 2024 as a member of SERV-OR's State Managed Volunteer Pool. For your professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the health and safety of your community and our nation, thank you. You answered the call to serve and you made a difference.

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Amanda Westervelt: 2021 National CERT Volunteer of the Year

Amanda Westervelt and her 2021 National CERT of the Year Award.

At the July CERT 2021 National Conference ‘Vision for the Future’ in Springfield, Missouri, one of Richmond NET’s own was named the National CERT Volunteer of the Year from a pool of nominees from across the country. True to the spirit of the award, she gave us her best Rosie the Riveter pose.

Amanda will be the first person to point out that all of these efforts require a team, and that this award reflects the combined work of the NETs and other volunteers with whom she has collaborated.

Starting in April 2020, Amanda led work of the Portland Mask Project (PMP). While responding to COVID-19, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) recognized a significant need for supplies of durable face coverings for historically underserved communities. Under Amanda’s volunteer leadership, PMP mobilized 62 volunteers to cut, sew, and package 11,731 cloth face coverings over the course of 6,648 volunteer hours (and counting). Amanda and the volunteers worked together to design the mask, sewing them for both adults and children. Amanda worked in concert with Portland ECC Logistics to distribute the masks through 19 community-based organizations serving communities of color, immigrants, elders, and persons with disabilities.

While leading the mask project, Amanda also partnered with Meals on Wheels and NET to connect homebound elders and persons with disabilities to COVID-19 vaccine appointments and arranging transportation to and from appointments as needed. Facing intensely complicated logistics, Amanda took charge of 58 NET volunteers and organized five partner service providers to get vaccinations for 249 homebound persons.

Finally, in August 2019, Amanda drew on her experience as a Girl Scouts troop leader to organize the first ever NETcamp. 102 CERT volunteers attended this three-day event of training (with 23 presentations) and community in the Oregon wilderness. Amanda arranged all the logistics to produce an event we’re excited to make an annual event after the COVID pandemic resolves.

Amanda’s initiative, hard work, and imagination serve as an example to CERT volunteers everywhere, embodying the spirit of what volunteers can do to save lives and create communities. The programs Amanda has led will also provide blueprints for how Portland trains and deploys volunteers; and, how Portland Emergency Management can best serve the most vulnerable persons in our city.

Watch the KATU Everyday Heroes segment featuring Amanda.

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December 2014 Wind Storm: Fire Chief's Certificate

Scan of the Fire Chief's Certificate awarded for NET response during the December 11, 2014 windstorm.

The Pacific Northwest was subjected to a serious wind storm on December 11, 2014. Portland International Airport reported a peak gust of 67 mph. One fatality and serious injury occurred in Portland Metro due to a tree falling on a car. Debris, fallen trees and downed wires blocked roads. Siding torn from the Pacwest Center office tower crashed through some windows on the Standard Building, resulting in more street closures. Heavy winds forced the closure of the tram service, and Max light rail trains experienced delays due to power outages. Near the Lloyd Center, large pieces of material were blown off of a building under construction and tumbled down the street, smashing windows and causing terror among those caught in the spectacle. Widespread downed trees caused numerous outages, especially in the northern Willamette Valley, with Portland General Electric reporting nearly 83,000 customers, or 9.8% of the customer base, out at peak. As stoplights darkened, traffic became snarled in places.

NET volunteers deployed to relieve PF&R's strained capacity. The volunteers who deployed were: John Beaston, Con Bricca, Terri Dil-Simpson, Tommi Dubuque Johnstone, Martha Gross, Susan Hayden, Trevor Lisenbee, Ed Rentz, Michael Schilmoeller, Amy Stephens, John Steup, Kathryn Stewart, Paul Watons, and Lee Younglove. In recognition for their volunteering during a very challenging event, PF&R Chief Erin Janssens awarded them the "Fire Chief's Certificate" on July 23, 2015. A PDF is downloadable HERE.

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Clarence Harper: 2008 Spirit of Portland Award

Commissioner Randy Leonard awarding Clarence Harper with a 2008 Spirit of Portland Award (top).

Woodlawn NET volunteer Clarence Harper was awarded a Spirit of Portland Award "for service to Portland as an emergency preparedness educator" and 13 years in the Portland NET program.

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NET Recognition Events

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Event	Date	Location	File	Special Guests
2023 NET Fair Recognition Event	2023.06.23	NET Fair @ PF&R Training, 4800 NE 122nd Ave.		Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, PBEM Director Shad Ahmed
2019 NET 25 Year Anniversary Party	2019.05.11			Mayor Ted Wheeler, Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, NET founder Rachael Jacky
2018 NET Recognition Event	2018.06.24	Village Ballroom, 704 NE Dekum St.	📁	PF&R Chief Mike Myers, PBEM Director Courtney Patterson, former PBEM Director Carmen Merlo
2017 NET Recognition Event	2017.03.04	Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave.		PF&R Assistant Chief Don Russ
2016 NET Recognition Event	2016.02.27	Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave.		PF&R Chief Erin Janssens
2015 NET Recognition Event	2015.02.26	Portland City Hall Atrium, 1221 SW 4th Ave.		Commissioner Steve Novick, PBEM Director Carmen Merlo, NET founder Rachael Jacky
2014 NET Recognition Event	2014.01.16	St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church, Carvlin Hall, 1636 SE Hickory St		PF&R Lt. Matt Silva
2013 NET Recognition Event	2013.09.28	Colonel Summers Park, SE 17th Ave. and SE Taylor St.	📁
2010 Crime Prevention and Emergency Management Community Safety Recognition Event	2010.05.13	Hosford Middle School, 2303 SE 28th Pl.	📁