Out of all those municipalities, MASC awarded the town of Eutawville its 2019 Municipal Achievement Award for towns with a population of 1,000 or less.

The town earned the award for its support of a group of volunteers who completed a series of programs that equipped them to respond to disasters or emergencies as wide ranging as a storm, a missing person or a chemical spill.

The team’s goal is to rapidly and methodically gather information and disseminate it to police officers, firefighters, first responders, ambulance crews and utility crews. Team members are warned not to place themselves in harm’s way.

The CERT program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It operates in all 50 states, but it’s new to this area.

CERT is “an excellent example of partnerships that other cities and towns in our state can learn from,” which is a big reason that it won the award, said Charlie Barrineau, a MASC field services manager.

Barrineau said he attended Eutawville Town Council’s September meeting because he wanted to “celebrate your achievement” in person with the CERT members.

“Your mayor accepted the award back on Saturday, July 20, in Greenville during our annual meeting,” Barrineau said. On that date, attendees watched a video depicting activities of the award winners in each category and how they made a positive difference in their communities.

Barrineau brought the Eutawville segment of the video with him and played it for the audience. Town officials brought popcorn and soft drinks for the occasion.

Mayor Brandon Weatherford said, “The only reason we have that trophy is the CERT team. Y’all did an outstanding job. On behalf of the town, I’m just more than tickled to accept this award. I know I have to be the one to accept it, but y’all are the ones that got it, so just know that we really feel that way. Y’all did a great thing and please keep on doing it.”