2010 Palatine Volunteer of the Year Honored

Linda Kielas was presented with the “Berni Knepper Volunteer of the Year Memorial Award” at the 4th Annual Volunteer Holiday Dinner of the Palatine Emergency Management Agency (EMA) held on Wednesday, December 2.

The award, established in 2009, is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer in recognition of his or her service and dedication to the Village of Palatine and its residents. It is named in honor of Berni Knepper, a dedicated volunteer who passed away in 2008 after a long illness. Nominees' names are submitted by their fellow volunteers.

Kielas, a nurse, retired from Northwest Community Hospital's cardiac catheterization laboratory several years ago and began to volunteer her time with the agency. She soon became a Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainer and serves as the Team Leader for the Medical Reserve Corps and participates on the Leadership Team of the Bravo Emergency Response Team (ERT). To enhance her ability to communicate when normal avenues fail during emergencies, Kielas obtained her ham radio license (KC9MRI).

Since its inception, Kielas has served as part of the leadership of the Fire Rehab Team, (FRT) a team of volunteers specially trained to provide rehabilitation services including rest, food, water and medical assessment to fire fighters actively involved in fire fighting and training exercises. She has been instrumental in providing advice to departments across the country on how to develop successful volunteer rehab teams.

Kielas is also a member of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT) and serves on its management support team. Two years ago she was selected to become one of the first members of the Federal Deployment Cadre, a group of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers from across the country who deploy along side of the Public Health Service during national emergencies and disasters. Kielas recently acquired her Professional Development Series Certificate and Illinois Professional Emergency Management Certificate from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and is currently enrolled in the Harper College Emergency Management Program.

The Volunteer Holiday Dinner is sponsored by the RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) of Arlington Heights and is hosted by the Village of Palatine Emergency Management Agency and Palatine Citizen Corps. The event is held annually at Durty Nellie's in appreciation of the Palatine volunteers who donate thousands of hours of their time each year. Volunteers who attended did not come empty handed. They donated over 300 lbs. of food and $100 in cash which will benefit the Palatine Food Pantry at Palatine Township.

Also honored by RSVP was Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator, for his efforts and leadership in promoting volunteering in Palatine.

For more information about volunteer or support opportunities, visit www.palatine-ema.org or tune to 1660 on your AM radio dial.