The Newport Beach Fire Department honored members of the Community Emergency Response Team at an awards ceremony this weekend.
Matt Brisbois, the department's community preparedness coordinator, told Patch the CERT volunteers are essential to Newport Beach because they are all certified disaster service workers ready to respond when the need arises.
Award Winners:
Newport Beach Fire Department CERT Volunteer of the Year: Nancy Moran-Sanchez
Kevin Pryor Memorial CERT Instructor of the Year: Fire Engineer Alan Baker
Newport Beach Fire Department CERT Neighborhood of the Year: Broadmoor Hills Home Owners Association, lead by Rita Berdelis and Christine Broaddus
Granville Home Owners Association, lead by Pamela Spears
Newport Beach Fire Department Spirit of CERT Award: Peter Grigonis
"I was shocked, stunned and had no idea. I was just thrilled," Sanchez said of winning Volunteer of the Year. "I love being in CERT so much. The things I do I don't view as anything extraordinary."
Do your job Heros