(Daniel White/Daily Herald) Palatine Resident Nell Luttrell, center, teaches at the village of Palatine's Emergency Operations Center..

Would you know what to do if a major disaster or emergency were to occur where you live or work? Would you be able to look after not only yourself, but also your family, your neighbors and co-workers? Recent tragic events, both in this country and abroad, have made it painfully clear that in the event of a major disaster, first responders such as the police and fire departments would be overwhelmed, and residents would have to rely on themselves until help could reach them. In Palatine a group of conscientious citizens who are members of the Palatine Citizen Corps have been undergoing training so that they are prepared to assist the professionals in the event of a disaster or major emergency. The program which is partially funded by the federal government is also supported by the Village of Palatine. Nell Luttrell is not only a Palatine Citizen Corps volunteer, she is also a trainer, certified by the State of Illinois, who trains and educates citizens on how to prepare for, and respond during a disaster. “I have lived in Palatine for 24 years, and raised my daughter here,” Luttrell said. “Volunteering with Senior Corps is my way of contributing to the community. I find the program to be very worthwhile, and my volunteer work is extremely rewarding. Also, the people are wonderful, and great to work with. I strongly urge all Palatine citizens to step up and get involved in this very worthwhile cause.”

The Palatine Citizen Corps sponsors two programs. The first is the Medical Reserve Corps which is a group of doctors and nurses who are available to volunteer their professional services if and when they are needed. The second group is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Luttrell is a member of CERT, and she is one of ten volunteers who are certified to teach all of the nine modules that are offered, without charge, to any resident of the village of Palatine, or anyone who works in Palatine.

“The focus of the classes is to provide citizens with basic training so that they are able to look after themselves in the event of an emergency,” Luttrell said. “Most of the people taking the training are private citizens, but a group from St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Palatine has attended, and currently a group of senior students from Palatine High School are taking the classes.”

Bensing is grateful for the almost 4,000 hours of volunteer service provided by Bott. “Dorothy’s enthusiasm is endless,” she said. “She started with the program in the beginning, and is also a regular weekly volunteer at ALGH. She is always willing to come in extra, and to help with special events.”

Subjects taught in the classes include disaster preparedness, which covers the types of supplies to be kept on hand such as food, water, medications, emergency heating and cooking supplies, and basic survival skills. Other modules cover important topics such as fire safely, basic first aid and hygiene, injury assessment, light search and rescue procedures, team organization, disaster psychology, terrorism and disaster simulation. After they have completed all the modules, attendees participate in a simulated disaster drill. In addition, graduates of the classes attend the CERT Challenge, which is held once a year. During the Challenge, members are provided with the opportunity to practice what they have learned by participating in different types of exercises, and to update their skills.

Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Coordinator, describes Luttrell as, “the type of volunteer who embodies what volunteerism is all about. She is an enthusiastic volunteer who does it for all the right reasons, and doesn’t expect anything in return. Nell is willing to stand up for what needs to be done, and in addition she works tirelessly as the editor of our quarterly newsletter which is envied by all the Citizen Corps groups in the state.”

Luttrell has been employed as a Finance and Personnel Assistant by the Palatine Park District for 24 years. Her family includes her daughter, Margaret, and in her spare time Luttrell enjoys photography and travel.

For information about the many types of meaningful volunteer assignments that are available locally, contact The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, (all ages) at 847-228-1320 or the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (seniors age 55 or better) at 847-228-1006, or check their website www.volunteerinfo.net.

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