| Omaha Volunteers Win Nebraska “Be Prepared” Awards | | Print | |
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MRC volunteers Geri Thomas of Omaha and Chandra Peterson of Blair received 2011 Nebraska Lt. Governor’s "Be Prepared" honors at a ceremony at the State Capitol recently. Individuals and groups were recognized with 2011 Nebraska Lt. Governor’s "Be Prepared" honors, for exemplary work and leadership in Nebraska’s volunteer emergency preparedness efforts. Geri Thomas of Omaha received the 2011 Nebraska Lt. Governor’s “Citizen Corps ‘Be Prepared’ Volunteer of the Year” award. Thomas, a former military nurse, has a long professional and volunteer resume; She’s a member of the Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps’ (MRC) Decontamination Team which is prepared to serve in times of disaster. Thomas regularly participates in local MRC training and community events, including Offutt A.F.B’s annual disaster drill, first aid duty at the Offutt Air Show and the College World Series. She has served at local STD testing and flu vaccination clinics, Project Homeless Connect and other efforts, providing more than 100 hours of expertise in the past three years. Thomas is a volunteer for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) as well. She currently provides home health care assistance for seriously ill children. Chandra Petersen, a behavioral health specialist from Blair, was recognized with the "Local Hero Award" for Preparedness. Petersen recognized the potential for mental and emotional stress among flood victims sheltered at the former Dana College this summer. With assistance from Region VI Behavioral Health and Region 5/6 Homeland Security, Petersen quickly set up a support group and individual counseling. She worked with flood victims over an eight week period, sometimes working a 12 hour shift. "Chandra worked a lot of extra hours without pay to help people in her community who were in need," said Joe Kenney, coordinator of Region VI. Like Ms. Thomas, Petersen is a member of the Eastern Nebraska-Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps. She, too, is a member of the Decontamination Team and has volunteered countless hours to complete all required MRC training. Among the community events for which she has provided service: the Offutt Air show and disaster drill, the Bi-National Health Fair and Walk for Warmth. She is one of several team members who designed and organized an MRC behavioral health display that the unit uses at community events. David Duncan of Omaha also received honors for his volunteer service with the Omaha Fire Department Fire Corps. He logged 850 hours this year, assisting with the department's Public Education/Fire Prevention program. Duncan attended 53 school assemblies, teaching students about the importance of a "Home Escape Plan." Thomas, Petersen, Duncan and other outstanding volunteers received their awards from Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy at the Nebraska State Capitol on September 15. The awards are sponsored by the Nebraska Citizen Corps and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. |
