Whitney Laning - Working for the Community and Being a Leader - Essay Example

Whitney Laning: working for the community and being a leader The differences in the way the earthquake in Haiti and the recent earthquake in Chile reveal how building codes and trained emergency response teams on the ground could result in much less damage and loss of life as in the latter case. Even though the recent earthquake in Chile was a great deal more powerful than the quake in Haiti, it was special training and awareness programs that made it less disastrous. While earthquakes may not be a concern everywhere, emergencies like this can occur anywhere, when trained response teams are able to render assistance immediately after disaster strikes.

The only way this can happen is if the community itself is full of trained volunteers ready and willing to move in and knowledgeable about basic field practices for rescue and triage. This is the concern of many fire chiefs throughout the country and one that was shared with community leader Whitney Laning more than a year ago. Unlike many, though, Laning took action, learning what kind of help firefighters needed to provide the community with greater safety and moving forward to organize this support.

His tasks For the past year, Laning has worked tirelessly to bring together the Rowlett Citizen Corps Council (RCCC), a nonprofit group dedicated to finding funding for the CERT program and equipment, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the city. He was working to make the community a safer place for both citizens and emergency respondents, but his efforts were recently recognized in a big way. Laning was named one of the Five Outstanding Young Texans at a special black tie ceremony held in the state capital.

According to him, It was very rewarding and humbling to be in such company with these great folks that are doing such tremendous things around the country. Past recipients included George H.W. Bush in 1956 and Henry Cisneros in 1976. The program The primary program is the CERT program. This organization functions during normal emergency situations by providing canteen services to the firefighters – giving them cool drinks, food to help them keep up their strength and a cool place to rest when fighting a long-term fire.

However, those trained in the CERT program are also able to jump in and lend a hand when required at times when emergency personnel are overwhelmed. Fire Chief Larry Wright states, If we had a large scale disaster like a tornado come through here, it could be 24-72 hours before we received any kind of state of federal assistance. That’s where these citizens will be able to make a real difference. As part of CERT, citizens are trained in first aid, damage assessment, evacuation procedures and even some light search and rescue.

His capability on leadership Laning’s leadership in these programs has been instrumental in obtaining the multiple awards and recognitions each program has received to date, according to Greg and Lisa Peoples, the Junior Chamber of Commerce members who nominated Laning for the award. According to a written statement by them, Whitney is the co-author of the bylaws, shaped the mission statement, teaches the CERT courses and serves as a spokesperson, fundraiser and grant writer for CERT….

Under his leadership, FEMA Region VI recognized the Rowlett CERT program as a Best Practice. The program has also been nominated in the Public Safety category for Municipal Excellence by the Texas Municipal League. Laning’s strong hands-on approach has left little room for neglecting responsibility or allowing applications or other business to be delayed while his enthusiasm and energy have been infecting. Chief Larry Wright of the Rowlett Fire Department echoed the Peoples’ comments in Laning’s contribution to the city’s CERT programs.

He says, Since the very beginning, Whitney has been instrumental in the success of the Rowlett CERT program. His technical expertise with computers broadened the capability to advertise and promote the program. His impact on the program will always be recognized and has made the program one of the outstanding programs in the country. In his involvement with the many different elements of the CERT program and the RCCC fundraising group he had to start in order to begin applying for new funding for the equipment and training program materials the CERT would need, Laning sets the example for those who follow him to get involved in as many aspects of the program as they can and to continue learning and growing to better serve the community.

His devotion and drive have encouraged many within the community to join the program and to get involved in other ways, which has contributed a great deal to the success of the program as well. Mayor Shane Johnson states: Whitney’s dedication to the community and each citizen within it is unparalleled. His heart pours into his work with our CERT team. Our community is safer, more knowledgeable and better prepared for any disaster, natural or man-made. We are in his debt. However nice the accolades are, Laning remains stunned by the recognition.

In Laning’s words, Receiving this award is one of those defining moments that you have. I never imagined receiving something so big.