Wilton CERT Awards & Community Recognitions
Wilton CERT Awards & Community Recognitions
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The Mentor Award recognizes a gentleman who has inspired me and countless others during our time in CERT.
The Mentor Award recognizes a gentleman who has inspired me and countless others during our time in CERT.
I first met him as a small smiling face in a Zoom Basic Training Class during the COVID Pandemic, welcoming what seemed to me to be hundreds of fellow trainees by name. Everyone seemed to be so happy to see him.
I first met him as a small smiling face in a Zoom Basic Training Class during the COVID Pandemic, welcoming what seemed to me to be hundreds of fellow trainees by name. Everyone seemed to be so happy to see him.
A few years later, out of the blue he asked me to join the Board when there was an opening. I was so honored. He has taught us all how to lead through example and has always been willing to lend his time, advice and guidance.
A few years later, out of the blue he asked me to join the Board when there was an opening. I was so honored. He has taught us all how to lead through example and has always been willing to lend his time, advice and guidance.
Tom Gunther has been a Mentor to me and I think to many of us during his 5 years as Executive Director of Wilton CERT and I hope he will continue to for many years to come.
Tom Gunther has been a Mentor to me and I think to many of us during his 5 years as Executive Director of Wilton CERT and I hope he will continue to for many years to come.
Thank you for everything you have given Wilton CERT.
Thank you for everything you have given Wilton CERT.
- Presented by Trevor Huffard - Executive Director - 12/10/2025
I wish to recognize Jane Burns with The Journalism Award for her many years in writing and publishing our CERT Newsletter, getting our word out via social media and the local press like Good Morning Wilton and other news outlets – extolling all the various activities we have accomplished in the prior period while at the same time providing meaningful exposure to what we do, what we are about to do (like our annual Disaster Preparedness Class for citizens), and telling the stories of CERTs through her “Member Profiles”.
I wish to recognize Jane Burns with The Journalism Award for her many years in writing and publishing our CERT Newsletter, getting our word out via social media and the local press like Good Morning Wilton and other news outlets – extolling all the various activities we have accomplished in the prior period while at the same time providing meaningful exposure to what we do, what we are about to do (like our annual Disaster Preparedness Class for citizens), and telling the stories of CERTs through her “Member Profiles”.
Folks all across the state, and in State Government know about Wilton CERT because of Jane’s initiatives and hard work.
Folks all across the state, and in State Government know about Wilton CERT because of Jane’s initiatives and hard work.
We thank you Jane!!
We thank you Jane!!
Presented by Tom Gunther - Director - 12/10/2025
Early this year, the CERT board discussed tangible ways we could improve our organization by retaining members, activating greater participation and recruiting new volunteers. We agreed to establish a new team dedicated to directly engage our membership with innovative ideas and compelling activations.
Early this year, the CERT board discussed tangible ways we could improve our organization by retaining members, activating greater participation and recruiting new volunteers. We agreed to establish a new team dedicated to directly engage our membership with innovative ideas and compelling activations.
Heather Tietjen and her original team of Robin Asken and Barli Nugent exceeded expectations by elevating our membership outreach to entirely new heights.
Heather Tietjen and her original team of Robin Asken and Barli Nugent exceeded expectations by elevating our membership outreach to entirely new heights.
By emphasizing open dialogue, respect and genuine interest, this team has developed effective promotional programs and collateral to encourage greater awareness of the value of CERT.
By emphasizing open dialogue, respect and genuine interest, this team has developed effective promotional programs and collateral to encourage greater awareness of the value of CERT.
I am both privileged and proud to present the inaugural Engagement Award to these outstanding individuals.
I am both privileged and proud to present the inaugural Engagement Award to these outstanding individuals.
Presented by Jeff Boehme - Director - 12/10/2025
The Civilian Blue Angel Award is an annual honor awarded to a current or former Wilton resident or organization who has distinguished themselves through long term and selfless commitment to the Town of Wilton and the Wilton Police Department. This year this prestigious award was given to the former Executive Director or Wilton CERT, Tom Gunther. Tom joined Wilton CERT in 2016 and was its Executive Director for 5 years before retiring. Last year, Tom volunteered over 500 hours for Wilton CERT. In addition, Tom is also an EMR volunteer and volunteered another 385 hours with the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 2024. In addition, Tom sits on the Wilton Zoning Board of Appeals as a volunteer.
The Civilian Blue Angel Award is an annual honor awarded to a current or former Wilton resident or organization who has distinguished themselves through long term and selfless commitment to the Town of Wilton and the Wilton Police Department. This year this prestigious award was given to the former Executive Director or Wilton CERT, Tom Gunther. Tom joined Wilton CERT in 2016 and was its Executive Director for 5 years before retiring. Last year, Tom volunteered over 500 hours for Wilton CERT. In addition, Tom is also an EMR volunteer and volunteered another 385 hours with the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 2024. In addition, Tom sits on the Wilton Zoning Board of Appeals as a volunteer.
- Presented by Wilton Police Department - 5/20/2025
A Letter of Recognition was issued to Wilton CERT for its assistance during a deployment in 2023. In August, 2023 officers responded to a residence in the Town of Wilton on report of an individual having a crisis. The individual was ultimately transported to the hospital for evaluation, but while on scene, it was learned that they had been keeping and caring for a family member's dog that could not be located. Information was obtained that the individual in crisis may have caused harm to the dog. A search warrant was obtained for the property, which consisted of 7 acres of land and abutted an additional 30 acres of State property. After a day and a half of searching, the dog was located, deceased, on State property. It was apparent that the dog had suffered a malicious and violent attack causing its death. An arrest warrant was obtained for the suspect. In December 2023 he was arrested and charged with Malicious Killing of an Animal. Wilton CERT responded to this incident as they usually do, eager and happy to assist in any way they are able. In this case they assisted in a search of a large area and assisted the Wilton Police in locating the animal in question.
A Letter of Recognition was issued to Wilton CERT for its assistance during a deployment in 2023. In August, 2023 officers responded to a residence in the Town of Wilton on report of an individual having a crisis. The individual was ultimately transported to the hospital for evaluation, but while on scene, it was learned that they had been keeping and caring for a family member's dog that could not be located. Information was obtained that the individual in crisis may have caused harm to the dog. A search warrant was obtained for the property, which consisted of 7 acres of land and abutted an additional 30 acres of State property. After a day and a half of searching, the dog was located, deceased, on State property. It was apparent that the dog had suffered a malicious and violent attack causing its death. An arrest warrant was obtained for the suspect. In December 2023 he was arrested and charged with Malicious Killing of an Animal. Wilton CERT responded to this incident as they usually do, eager and happy to assist in any way they are able. In this case they assisted in a search of a large area and assisted the Wilton Police in locating the animal in question.
- Presented by Wilton Police Department - 5/20/2025
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