The Laurel City Council honored longtime CERT member and Laurel native Jim McCeney at Monday's council meeting.
McCeney, 73, a resident of Main Street, has served for more than five years on the city's Community Emergency Response Team, a group of volunteers trained to educate and prepare residents for emergencies and disasters.
The CERT members learn skills that can aid first responders in a large-scale emergency, and operate in partnership with the city. In Laurel, this means helping the city deal with flooding that often occurs within the city limits following heavy rainfall and after the release of dam waters by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
The CERT program is part of FEMA's official Emergency Preparedness Program, according to the city's website. The program was created in 2004.
McCeney said he was honored by the gesture, but admits he is a bit puzzled by it.
"It wasn't all that long, but for some reason they thought I was different or something," he said about his tenure in CERT. "I thought they would be glad to get rid of me. ... But I think they are sorry to see me leave."
The honor might have to do with McCeney's other volunteer gigs – prior to his retirement from CERT in November 2014, he said he was volunteering with seven organizations, almost all within the city.
McCeney serves on the city's Historic District Commission, is a trustee for the city's medical pension plan, is the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Laurel Historical Society and is a member of the Laurel Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.
He also serves as treasurer of the Organization of American States Credit Union.
McCeney said he had to retire from the CERT for health reasons.
"I am too busy, that's why I'm trying to cut back," he said.
McCeney said he moved back to the area from Kensington when he retired because of a connection to Laurel, and that his volunteer work stems from this connection, which dates back to his great-grandparents.
"I'm happy to be here," McCeney said.