CERT, or the Community Emergency Response Team, is the City’s disaster preparedness program that is comprised of local volunteers. Nearly 1,700 community members have been CERT trained since the program began in 1999. Volunteers learn quickly how to be better prepared to survive a disaster and help those in need. CERT is one of the most successful disaster preparedness programs in the nation.
 
WRAP is the City’s Wildfire Risk Assessment Program that began in 2021 and was recently merged with the CERT program as an additional operations team for community emergency preparedness for wildfire. WRAP volunteers are an invaluable asset in AF&R’s community  engagement efforts for creating a more Fire Adapted Ashland.
 
 The following volunteers were recognized at the dinner:
 
President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold (Volunteers who have dedicated at least 500 hours in 2023 to the City)

• Charisse Sydoriak
• Walter Sydoriak
• Reggie Windham

 
President’s Volunteer Service Award Bronze (Volunteers who have dedicated at least 100 hours in 2023 to the City)

• Paul Collins
• Cat Gould

 
Fire Chief’s Award (Award to recognize a volunteer’s outstanding achievement and contributions to the CERT program)

• Tabitha Viner

 
Good Jake Award (Peer-choice award for someone who is a good team member that exemplifies the values of the CERT program)

• Mike Connolly

 
20 Years of Service to the Ashland CERT Program

• John Ames

 
15 Years of Service to the Ashland CERT Program

• Paul Collins
• Mia Driscoll
• Tim Learmont
• Dan Ragen

 10 Years of Service to the Ashland CERT Program

• Deb Price 
• Victoria Bones 
• Charlie Delgado
• Steve Weyer 
• Bennie Williams 

 5 Years of Service to the Ashland CERT Program

• Chelsea Davis
• Tom Doolittle 
• Harold Kasper 
• Doug Viner 
• Tabitha Viner 

“We are better together!”

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Released December 19, 2023