Newport Fire Officials to Receive White House Award Tuesday

The Newport Beach Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team will be honored Tuesday at the White House for its efforts in disaster preparedness.

Matt Brisbois, the department's life safety specialist, and Karen Tringali, a member of the CERT Volunteer Board of Directors, will attend a ceremony in Washington, D.C. to receive the Champions of Change award.

“This prestigious recognition by the White House of our city’s CERT Program and its volunteers is an amazing honor and would not have been possible without our program’s leadership, city support and most importantly the commitment and passion that inspire our volunteers to take action," the statement stated. "Our volunteers tirelessly promote preparedness and safety practices in their homes, within their neighborhoods and throughout the city at large."

Newport Beach's CERT team has more than 1,000 volunteers. The program was created to help residents be prepared to respond during an emergency or disaster situation. The program focuses on recruiting new volunteers, education and advanced training in areas including CPR/First Aid, survival training, HAM Radio Communications and more.

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