As of November 20th, 2008, 240 citizens have been trained in the CERT program.
Nominated Members for the Kent County Executive Committee
President: Terry Decker
Vice-President: Dave Everts
Secretary-Treasurer:
Nicholas Wetherington:
Nick was part of the first all civilian CERT team from the Rockford – Cedar Springs area. Having participated in a number of CERT events, he is sold 100% on the CERT program and wants to be used wherever he can put his varied skills to use.
He was born in New Orleans, La. but grew up in Florida. A Vietnam Navy veteran, he worked for Honeywell aerospace and continued his schooling graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in engineering technology with a minor in management. He has been an active member of the Army National Guard retiring in 1994 with 23 yrs of service. Margaret, his wife of 39 yrs lost a valiant battle with cancer this past June. They have three grown children Phillip and his wife living in Los Angeles, Eric and his wife live in Goosecreek, SC along with their two children. Nick is currently living with his daughter Nicole in Rockford.
Nick went on to complete a Masters degree in Religious Education at Cornerstone Seminary and has served in a number of different ministries in private education, churches, Mission Boards, as well as on various non-profit boards as secretary, vice-president, and as an ex-officio member. He is currently serving as Business Manager with Continental Baptist Missions and is anticipating retirement in October.
After becoming part of CERT, Nick has taken additional training in cribbing, Wilderness Search and Rescue, is a licensed radio amateur call sign KB4BWI, a Skywarn weather spotter, and is currently taking classes in radio communications and Net Control. The Army has a motto, US Army Retired – still serving and proud of it. CERT is a chance to give back to the country as well as the community. I welcome the opportunity to apply my God given skills and experience to serve the Kent County CERT program to the best of my ability.
Julie Vruggnik:
I am Julie Vruggink, many of you may have met me while playing victim for your training finals. I am single, and live in Hudsonville with my adult son (who pays fair rent), two dogs, and a chinchilla. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from the University of Phoenix, Grand Rapids campus, and currently I am completing classes toward an MBA at Cornerstone University. I work part-time as a community living support personnel for the agency MOKA, and enjoy learning new things and attending educational events and conferences.
I have been involved with the CERT program since my graduation in May of 2006. I completed my Train the Trainer course in August of 2007, and look forward to taking the new training this year. My involvement in emergency management and disaster preparedness includes serving with the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids and Ottawa County as a DAT member and leader at GGR, I am also a volunteer on the Hudsonville Emergency Management team. Additional training in emergency management includes SAR training, several FEMA courses, including IS 100, 200, 230, 317, 700, and 800. I am also a Ham Radio operator and a member of SkyWarn.
My goal for CERT is to help the members grow into a functional team, supporting the local first responder, law enforcement, and humanitarian agencies. This goal will require training, education, and support from the involved agencies, and volunteers of CERT. I look forward to seeing the organization grow into an active part of the community, along with creating new training opportunities. I would be honored to hold the position for secretary/treasury and being a part of the board as we work toward growth of the CERT program.
Please vote by sending an email to kccert@gmail.com with the member you believe would be best for the position.
President: Terry Decker
Vice-President: Dave Everts
Secretary-Treasurer:
Nicholas Wetherington:
Nick was part of the first all civilian CERT team from the Rockford – Cedar Springs area. Having participated in a number of CERT events, he is sold 100% on the CERT program and wants to be used wherever he can put his varied skills to use.
He was born in New Orleans, La. but grew up in Florida. A Vietnam Navy veteran, he worked for Honeywell aerospace and continued his schooling graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in engineering technology with a minor in management. He has been an active member of the Army National Guard retiring in 1994 with 23 yrs of service. Margaret, his wife of 39 yrs lost a valiant battle with cancer this past June. They have three grown children Phillip and his wife living in Los Angeles, Eric and his wife live in Goosecreek, SC along with their two children. Nick is currently living with his daughter Nicole in Rockford.
Nick went on to complete a Masters degree in Religious Education at Cornerstone Seminary and has served in a number of different ministries in private education, churches, Mission Boards, as well as on various non-profit boards as secretary, vice-president, and as an ex-officio member. He is currently serving as Business Manager with Continental Baptist Missions and is anticipating retirement in October.
After becoming part of CERT, Nick has taken additional training in cribbing, Wilderness Search and Rescue, is a licensed radio amateur call sign KB4BWI, a Skywarn weather spotter, and is currently taking classes in radio communications and Net Control. The Army has a motto, US Army Retired – still serving and proud of it. CERT is a chance to give back to the country as well as the community. I welcome the opportunity to apply my God given skills and experience to serve the Kent County CERT program to the best of my ability.
Julie Vruggnik:
I am Julie Vruggink, many of you may have met me while playing victim for your training finals. I am single, and live in Hudsonville with my adult son (who pays fair rent), two dogs, and a chinchilla. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from the University of Phoenix, Grand Rapids campus, and currently I am completing classes toward an MBA at Cornerstone University. I work part-time as a community living support personnel for the agency MOKA, and enjoy learning new things and attending educational events and conferences.
I have been involved with the CERT program since my graduation in May of 2006. I completed my Train the Trainer course in August of 2007, and look forward to taking the new training this year. My involvement in emergency management and disaster preparedness includes serving with the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids and Ottawa County as a DAT member and leader at GGR, I am also a volunteer on the Hudsonville Emergency Management team. Additional training in emergency management includes SAR training, several FEMA courses, including IS 100, 200, 230, 317, 700, and 800. I am also a Ham Radio operator and a member of SkyWarn.
My goal for CERT is to help the members grow into a functional team, supporting the local first responder, law enforcement, and humanitarian agencies. This goal will require training, education, and support from the involved agencies, and volunteers of CERT. I look forward to seeing the organization grow into an active part of the community, along with creating new training opportunities. I would be honored to hold the position for secretary/treasury and being a part of the board as we work toward growth of the CERT program.
Please vote by sending an email to kccert@gmail.com with the member you believe would be best for the position.
