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Cape Girardeau recognizes CERT graduates and Citizens Academy participants
Summary
City leaders presented certificates to Community Emergency Response Team graduates and Citizens Academy participants. CERT instructors said the 24‑hour training is free when grant‑funded and requires at least 15 participants; staff described the Citizens Academy as a multi‑session program offered to residents.
City of Cape Girardeau officials recognized recent Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduates and participants who completed the city’s Citizens Academy program during the Oct. 20 council meeting.
Jim Watkins, who led the CERT presentation, said the official program title is Community Emergency Response Team and that his group prefers the description “resource” to describe its role in disaster response. "The 24 hour class is free," Watkins said, adding that as long as a homeland security grant is available the training can be provided at businesses, churches or other local organizations. He also said the program must have at least 15 people as part of the state emergency management agency requirements for the course.
Watkins introduced graduates and asked each to identify themselves by name during the presentation. Participants named on the record included Richard Myers (fleet mechanic), Denise Dowling (park superintendent, Trail of Tears State Park), and Deonte Eastman (volunteer firefighter), among others.
Trevor Pulley and Mayor Kinder acknowledged completion of the Citizens Academy, a multi‑session program designed to familiarize residents with city departments and operations. Pulley described staff involvement across departments and thanked participants for committing to the program; council members credited Nicolette Brennan with organizing the program. Pulley described the program as "10 sessions" in one turn of remarks and elsewhere a speaker referred to it as an "eight‑week" program; staff did not provide a definitive single length at the meeting.
Council members took photos with graduates and encouraged residents to consider serving on advisory boards and commissions after participating in the academy.
