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Chamber chairman pitches FEMA CERT training and scholarship idea for juniors and seniors
Summary
Richard Ruel, chairman of the East St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, asked the board to allow a volunteer program that pairs a scholarship/t-shirt initiative with FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for juniors and seniors; he said the program would cost the district nothing and could lead to FEMA employment pathways.
Richard Ruel, chairman of the East St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, used public comment time at the Sept. 16, 2025 board meeting to pitch a volunteer program for juniors and seniors combining a scholarship initiative and FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
Ruel said the program — which includes a T-shirt fundraising or branding element and a "City of Champions" motif — would connect students with emergency-preparedness training and potential career pathways. "These skills are taught for free," he said, and noted that FEMA job entry-level salaries cited to the board start at roughly $54,000 for those with a high school diploma and can increase with experience.
Ruel said he has previously presented a pitch deck to district administrators and that the program would not cost the city or district; chamber volunteers would provide time and resources. He asked for a formal presentation slot to the board and a meeting with district staff to discuss implementing the program and related scholarship activities.
The transcript does not show a board decision to adopt or review the proposal at the meeting; Ruel said he had shared materials with an administrator and is awaiting a scheduled presentation.
