Instructors

Polk CERT Instructors

Kimber
Kimber Townsend  /  ktownsend@polkcountycert.org

  • Polk CERT Program Coordinator, Course Manager & Senior Instructor
  • CERT Instructor, OEM 2006
  • CERT Instructor, EMI 2013,
  • CERT Program Manager, EMI 2013, 2016
  • Oregon EMR
  • Firefighter Rehab Team, PCFD #1

CERT Experience: 14 years
Ask Me About: Program development and sustainability, recruiting instructors, exercise design and evaluation, statewide networking and program referrals.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams

David Weston
David Weston / dr.weston@polkcountycert.org

  • Senior Instructor, Polk CERT
  • CERT Instructor, OEM 2006
  • CERT Instructor, EMI 2014
  • CERT Program Manager, EMI 2014
  • Firefighter, PCFD #1: 22 years
  • Retired EMT after 20 Years
  • DPSST Firefighter Instructor I

CERT Experience: 14 years
Ask Me About: Medical Modules Class Learning Styles, exercise design and evaluation and building relationships with Fire and EMS partners.
“There is no such thing as common sense.” ~DRW

Wendy Hackman
Wendy Hackman / whackman@polkcountycert.org

  • Yamhill County CERT, Program Chair
  • Senior Instructor, Polk CERT
  • CERT Instructor, OEM 2011
  • CERT Instructor, EMI 2015
  • CERT Program Manager, EMI 2015
  • Oregon EMR
  • W9NDY Amateur Extra Class Operator
  • Ham Radio Team, Polk CERT
  • Ham Radio Team, Yamhill ARES
  • Ham Radio Team, Yamhill County CERT

CERT Experience:  11 years
Ask Me About: Program Management and Development, working with a 501(c)3, Exercise design and evaluation, Recruiting and retaining volunteers.
“True leaders don’t create followers… they create more leaders.” ~J. Sakiya Sandifer

Dell Weston2
Dell Weston / dw.weston@polkcountycert.org

  • Senior Instructor, Polk CERT
  • CERT Instructor, OEM 2006
  • CERT Instructor, EMI 2015
  • CERT Program Manager, EMI 2015
  • Capt. Firefighter, PCFD #1: 21 years
  • Oregon HAZMAT Instructor
  • DPSST Firefighter Instructor I

CERT Experience: 14 years
Ask Me About: Recruiting Instructors, Fire/HAZMAT and SAR modules, cross-training for multiple CERT programs and program supplies.
“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own example.” ~John Wooden

Susan Griffin
Susan Griffin

  • Polk CERT Instructor
  • WOU CERT Instructor
  • Ham Radio Operator
  • Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools, IS 0362.a
  • Multi-Hazard Emergency Management for Higher Education, LO363
  • CERT Train the Trainer EO427; EO428
  • FEMA CERT Train the Trainer 2016
  • FEMA Emergency Management Institute CERT Program Manager 2016

CERT Experience: Joined Polk CERT 2015; Started Western Oregon University CERT team as Program Manager in 2016.
Ask Me About: How to join CERT and why it is important to get involved in being prepared for the unexpected.
“Preparedness is the calm before, during and after the storm.”

Loni-CERT
Loni Barrett

  • Instructor, Polk CERT
  • Basic CERT 2017
  • CERT Train the Trainer, OEM 2018
  • Technical Emergency Large Animal Rescue, NFPA 1670
  • Mass Fatalities Planning and Response for Rural Communities, AWR 232
  • West Ellendale Community Preparedness Coordinator

CERT Experience:  Joined Polk CERT 2017
Ask Me About: Rural area community preparedness organization and planning; Technical emergency large animal rescue. I am happy to meet with community groups to open the discussion about preparedness.
“Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program” ~ Spencer W. Kimball


Megan Stutzman

  • Instructor, Polk CERT
  • Basic CERT
  • CERT Train the Trainer
  • Firefighter Level 1 and 2
  • Airport Rescue Firefighting
  • Emergency Medical Responder

CERT Experience:  Joined Polk CERT 2012
Ask Me About: Currently serving as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force. Helped create the Polk County Teen CERT program and guided other counties in the start-up of their CERT programs.
“There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.” ~ Stephen King

Andy Butcher
Andy Butcher

  • Instructor, Polk CERT
  • Basic CERT
  • CERT Train the Trainer

Assistant Instructors

CERT instructor certification pending for assistant instructors.

Jennie VanPatten
Jennie Van Patten

  • Assistant Instructor, Polk CERT
  • Certified Nursing Assistant, Level 2
  • EMT Basic
  • Polk County Firefighter
  • STOP the Bleed Instructor
  • BLS Certified

CERT Experience:  I have been around CERT since 1998. Joined Polk CERT 2018
Ask Me About: I am very much into preparing and storing food. Ask me how to can and garden!
“It’s better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” ~ Les Brown


Cayce Small 

  • Assistant Instructor, Polk CERT
  • EMT Basic
  • ASIST
  • Team Rubicon

CERT Experience:  Joined Polk CERT 2019
Ask Me About: Emergency medical response
“Watch your 12, I’ve got your back.”
“You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.” 

Tony Jorajuria

Photo and instructor profile coming soon.