Volunteers, the lifeblood of emergency management

Dwight Kellams, RACES, Dorthy Ostrander, CERT, and Jeanmarie Kane, EOC Volunteers, received the Presidential Service Volunteer Award. (From left) Ostrander, Commissioner Christine Altman, Kellems, Kane, and HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker. (Photo provided)

Posted By: The Reporter January 18, 2023

Volunteers are critical to the success of the emergency management program, and Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) held its second annual volunteer awards ceremony on Jan. 14.

“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization and critical to keeping Hamilton County prepared for emergencies and disasters,” HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker said.

This year’s program recognized those who went above the call of duty in service to their community.

Emergency Management has three volunteer groups:

  1. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) – emergency communications support
  2. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) – immediate response to help in the community until help arrives
  3. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) – staffing in the county’s Emergency Operations Center

The volunteers recognized for their service in 2022 are listed below.

Presidential Service Award

  • Dwight Kellams, RACES
  • Dorthy Ostrander, CERT
  • Jeanmarie Kane, EOC Volunteers

Leadership Award

Joe March received the Leadership Award for growing and further developing the RACES program.

Volunteer Service Award

  • Jeff Knoop, EOC Volunteer, donated 48 hours.
  • Lester Trouter, RACES, donated 133 hours, the equivalent of three and a half weeks.
  • Jake Zier, CERT, donated 416 hours, the equivalent of 11 weeks.

Lester Trouter, RACES, donated 133 hours, the equivalent of three and a half weeks. He won a Volunteer Service Award. (From left) Trouter, Commissioner Christine Altman, and HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker. (Photo provided)

Special Recognition Awards

  • Julie Gray, CERT, for her commitment to advancing lifesaving skills
  • Deb Miller, CERT, for her advancements in CERT training
  • John Gooldy, RACES, for his service to amateur radio
  • Robin Rudell, CERT, for his generous donation of technological advancements

Special Recognition Awards went to (from left) Julie Gray, Deb Miller, John Goodly, Robin Rudell, and Ryan Tennessen. The group is pictured with HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker (right). (Photo provided)

Rookies of the Year

  • Mike Hume, RACES
  • Stefan Muehlbauer, CERT

Peer Recognition

Fellow volunteers nominated Cathy Zink for the new Peer Recognition award.

Scott Hackler, CERT, said it best: “Cathy demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to HCEM and the community. Cathy takes it upon herself to provide exceptional support and service every time she serves HCEM. She volunteers for many activities throughout the year and is reliable and dedicated. Cathy is helpful, caring, resourceful, and happy to offer her service no matter the task.”

Fellow volunteers nominated Cathy Zink for the new Peer Recognition award. (From left) Zink and HCEM Executive Director Shane Booker. (Photo provided)

Years of Service Recognition

Emergency Management recognizes volunteers who serve two years, five years, and increments of five years after that.

  • Two Years of Service: Anne Auwaerter, Dick Davis, Dane Dillon, Jan Hinchcliff, Dwight Kellams, James McMichael, Dorthy Ostrander, Monica Peterson, Robin Rudell, Andrew Wilson, Andy Young, Jake Zier, Rick Batza, Greg Becker, Casey Crosbie, Norm Deken, Al Eckstein, Kristen Elling, Kelly Fischer, Elena Gilliam, Phil Henry, Beth Jelum, Sherri Judd, Jeff Knoop, Laura Leffler, Shawn Miller, Kevin Noel, Lisa Samuels, Lorrena Story, Marilynn Swiss, Richard Swiss, Jack Simmons, Kim Taylor, John Taylor, and Mike Vittetau
  • Five Years of Service: Mark Gabinet, Julie Gray, Mike Werner, Jeff Baldwin, Rich Barnier, Paul Beihold, BethAnne Betzold, Kent Billingsley, Mickey Corn, Karen Kirkman, Robert, Kirkman, Doug Lynn, Marti Miller, Marcia Schwartz, and John Telfer
  • Ten Years of Service: JB Betzold, Diana Glass, Brad Johns, and Harold Schwartz

* * *

Peterson

“I am so proud of all of our volunteers,” said Monica Peterson, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, who planned the event. “They do so much for our community, and I am grateful we have the opportunity to recognize those who do so much to keep Hamilton County safe.”

To learn more about how you can help during an emergency or disaster, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov/909/How-to-Get-Involved or contact Monica Peterson at monica.peterson@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or call (317) 770-3381.

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