The Patterson Foundation Hosts Breakfast of (Disaster) Champions

Author's Note: Community members from across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties gathered for the inaugural Breakfast of (Disaster) Champions. Hosted by The Patterson Foundation through its Community Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency initiative, the event brought together over 50 passionaries ready to deepen the impact of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in our region. Click here to access the CERT Breakfast of (Disaster) Champions Summary Report.

On July 29th, community members from across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties gathered at the Carlisle Inn and Conference Center for the very first Breakfast of (Disaster) Champions, and what a morning it was! Hosted by The Patterson Foundation through its Community Preparedness, Response, and Resiliency initiative, the event brought together over 50 passionate individuals ready to deepen the impact of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in our region.

The highlight of the morning was a keynote address from none other than Meteorologist John Scalzi of ABC7. A trusted voice in weather and well-known across the region, John brought more than just a forecast, he brought perspective. Through stories, science, and a dash of humor, he helped us think more deeply about how we prepare for hurricanes and why it matters.

John shared a compelling story about his friend "Dave," a well-educated Florida resident who believed that hurricane evacuations were overblown until Hurricane Milton taught him otherwise. This tale served as an example of confirmation bias, that human tendency to believe we're right and ignore evidence to the contrary. It's a challenge many of us face when trying to inspire preparedness in our neighbors and communities.

With graphics and current data, John also showed how warming Gulf waters are fueling the rapid intensification of hurricanes, something we can no longer afford to underestimate.

The room buzzed with energy as attendees, ranging from CERT members to Emergency Managers to COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disasters) and LTRG (Long Term Recovery Group) representatives, dug into discussions. Guided by thoughtful questions, the conversations sparked storytelling, idea-sharing, and plenty of practical insights.

When asked what they'd do with a magic wand to strengthen CERT, common themes emerged loud and clear:

• Better communication across teams and with first responders
• More collaboration and shared training
• Greater diversity among volunteers, especially from younger generations and underrepresented neighborhoods
• Continued investment in equipment, technology, and outreach
• And above all, a culture shift where preparedness is everyone's responsibility, not just a niche concern

It's clear that this group believes in the power of CERT, and in the power of people coming together for something greater than themselves.

The morning wrapped with optimism, action steps, and an inspiring vision for what comes next. Thirty-two attendees offered written ideas for strengthening this network and growing the region's disaster resilience. Their responses revealed a collective desire for consistency, coordination, and communication; one of building bridges not just between organizations, but between people.

And the best part? This was just the beginning. A full-day CERT Summit is already being planned for January 2026, with hopes of bringing even more energy, innovation, and collaboration to the table. We have heard it said, "Hurricanes remind us that while we cannot control the storm, we can choose how we prepare, how we respond, and how we rebuild." We also choose to become more resilient through our actions, our conversations, and how we share our collective cookies. 

Here's to the disaster champions, the ones who show up, speak up, and stand ready to serve.