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STATION # 3 OPENS DOORS TO CERT STUDENTS Lucy Roman, Orlando Fire Department
	On March 31st the Orlando Fire Department (OFD) held it's first CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training class inside Fire Station #3. Close to twenty five College Park residents responded to their neighborhood station for seven consecutive weeks to learn about emergency preparedness the OFD way. With the bay floor set up as the classroom, station tones and channel one calls for the sound effects and the low hum of the fire house strength fan for cooling purposes, this group enthusiastically embarked on each class. The group of station 3 neighbors consistently expressed their gratefulness to the crew for sharing their space, and were especially impressed by the outstanding hospitality they received.
This was the first time in the history of the program that it was held at a station, but according to the Program Coordinator Maryalicia Johnson, " The students got to meet their neighborhood firefighting professionals as well as getting a first hand look at the tremendous amount of responsibilities faced by today's firefighter". The graduation ceremony was complete with Chief Harkins presenting the honors and OFD supporters on hand to cheer on the graduates.
	CERT CLASSES MEET OVERWHELMING DEMAND The demand for OFD to teach CERT "Disaster Preparedness" classes has reached an all time high! In trying to keep up with the demand, three classes consisting of 87 citizens were taught by OFD and taken into the Plantation Gardens/Engelwood, College Park and Audubon Park neighborhoods. Special thanks to the instructors, John McCormack, Roger Huder, Rick Stilp, Chad Williamson, Jeff Kelly, Candy Muenzner, Lucy Roman, Vicki Robles, Toby Bevelaqua and Donny Adams, who've made the classes a reality. Kudo's to Lucy Roman for her exceptional organizational skills that have made it possible to keep up with the demands.
	OFD VIDEO PRODUCER SELECTED FOR STATEWIDE CERT PROJECT Bob Dzambo has been selected for his extensive experience and work in the field of video to produce 24 minutes of video to promote the CERT program. The State of Florida Division of Emergency Management awarded a $24,000 grant to OFD to produce the videos, which will be used throughout the state.
Bob has met with the statewide designated design team to develop the disaster preparedness promotions. He has been busy writing scripts, scheduling talent, coordinating locations and editing video. The most recent part of the project was a disaster simulation utilizing the Smoke Trailer and moulaged victims, which was shot at Station #8. Bob has donated countless volunteer hours to these videos and other projects such as the department's "Count On Us" video. Thanks to everyone who volunteered in the videos including; Neil Huggins, Pete McNeil, Paco Pagan, Willie Fuller, John Clayton, Lucy Roman, Kevin Riley, Kevin Mohr and Mrs. Dzambo (yes, Bob's Mom).Thanks to the efforts of Bob with help from Maryalicia Johnson and Lucy Roman, OFD will have a strong presence in CERT classrooms all over the State.

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