Working for Community Gains Leader Recognition Essay

Working for Community Gains Leader Recognition - Essay Example This is the concern of many fire chiefs throughout the country and one that was shared with community leader Whitney Laning more than a year ago. Unlike many, though, Laning took action, learning what kind of help firefighters needed to provide the community with greater safety and moving forward to organize this support. For the past year, Laning has worked tirelessly to bring together the Rowlett Citizen Corps Council (RCCC), a nonprofit group dedicated to finding funding for the CERT program and equipment, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the city. He was working to make the community a safer place for both citizens and emergency respondents, but his efforts were recently recognized in a big way. Laning was named one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans at a special black tie ceremony held in the state capital. â€Å"It was very rewarding and humbling to be in such company with these great folks that are doing such tremendous things around the country,† Laning said. Past recipients included George H.W. Bush in 1956 and Henry Cisneros in 1976. The primary program is the CERT program. This organization functions during normal emergency situations by providing canteen services to the firefighters – giving them cool drinks, food to help them keep up their strength and a cool place to rest when fighting a long-term fire. However, those trained in the CERT program are also able to jump in and lend a hand when required at times when emergency personnel is overwhelmed. â€Å"If we had a large scale disaster like a tornado come through here, it could be 24-72 hours before we received any kind of state of federal assistance. That’s where these citizens will be able to make a real difference,† said Fire Chief Larry Wright. As part of CERT, citizens are trained in first aid, damage assessment, evacuation procedures and even some light search and rescue. Laning’s leadership in these  programs has been instrumental in obtaining the multiple awards and recognitions each program has received to date, according to Greg and Lisa Peoples, the Junior Chamber of Commerce members who nominated Laning for the award.  Ã‚