Free event helps prepare Collier County residents 55+ for emergencies, additional events to be planned
More than 200 guests attended Collier County’s inaugural Emergency Readiness Summit on Sept. 14 at the South Regional Library in Naples. The event, funded by a grant from AmeriCorps 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, honored local first responders and provided valuable information to a capacity crowd of Collier County residents aged 55 and older, helping them better prepare for emergencies.
Due to the high level of interest, additional free emergency readiness presentations will be organized for Collier County neighborhoods, 55+ groups, community organizations and clubs. Sessions will cover important topics, such as what to expect when calling 911 in an emergency, how to prepare for evacuation, what to expect in a storm shelter and risk mitigation and life safety during a disaster. Interested residents who want to be notified of future events or sign up as a presenter can join a waitlist at CollierPrepares.com.
Exclusively for Collier County residents, the free Emergency Readiness Summit was designed to meet the specific needs of individuals 55 and older. Each registered household received a complimentary emergency readiness bag with essential items, such as inflatable life jackets, NOAA Weather Radio, window breaker and seatbelt cutter tool, water filtering straw, waterproof phone holder and waterproof and fireproof document holder.
Emceed by Weekday Morning Meteorologist Zach Maloch from WINK News, the summit honored and reflected on 9/11 and recognized the dedication of local first responders. Attendees were also provided with necessary information to better prepare for emergencies, with a particular focus on lessons learned from Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
An awards ceremony during the event honored several outstanding members of the community with the Community Champion Award. Honorees included Ashley Jones, Gail Davenport, James Eidel, Jeffrey Kutzke, Josh Ferris, Karen Connetta, Lori Merenda, Michael Fejes, Monica Guttenfelder, Nathan Kopanda and William Lang.
Information sessions were conducted by representatives from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Emergency Services and the North Collier Fire Department. Attendees also participated in a Q&A emergency readiness panel discussion during lunch. Moderated by Ashley Maher with Disaster Ready Collier County, panelists included Vice President of Community Impact Ashley Jones with United Way of Collier and the Keys, Director Dan Summers with Collier County Emergency Management and Vice President of Community Engagement Lindsey Touchette with the Collier Community Foundation.
The Emergency Readiness Summit was part of the national AmeriCorps’ Sept. 11 Day of Service and Remembrance, an opportunity to pay tribute to the heroes of 9/11 and recognize their selfless acts of service.
Partners for the summit included AmeriCorps | 9/11, AmeriCorps Seniors, Area Agency on Aging, Baker Senior Center Naples, Bureau of Emergency Services, Collier County, Collier County Public Library, Collier Community Foundation, Collier Resource Center, Collier County Sheriff’s Department, Disaster Ready Collier County, Marco Island Police Department, NCH Healthcare System, North Collier Fire & Rescue, Priority Marketing and Razor Golf Cars Bradenton-Naples.
To be notified about upcoming readiness events or to register to lead a future readiness training in Collier County visit CollierPrepares.com or call 239-252-5713.
About the Collier County Emergency Readiness Summit
The Collier County Emergency Readiness Summit is held annually in September in observance of AmeriCorps’ Sept. 11 Day of Service and Remembrance. This free community event is an opportunity to reflect on 9/11, honor local first responders and provide valuable information to residents of Collier County on how to be better prepared when an emergency strikes. To learn more, visit CollierPrepares.com or call 239-252-5713.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term,short-term or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
