ROXBURY, NJ – Ledgewood resident James Kennedy was presented this week with a bronze AmeriCorps President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizing his 100 hours of assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The award was given to Kennedy at the March 26 meeting of the Roxbury Mayor and Council following comments by Roxbury Office of Emergency Management Director Bob Hackett, who noted Kennedy – an amateur radio operator – is the township’s Community Emergency Management Response Team (CERT) manager.

Kennedy has a doctorate in technology and operations management and a long history of work in cybersecurity and related fields. Hackett said the AmeriCorps award relates to Kennedy’s volunteer efforts in emergency management outside of Roxbury for FEMA.

“Amateur radio is a very important function of emergency management,” Hackett said. “Amateur radio was designed for, and its sole purpose is, community service and communication, even though it’s a hobby. We’re very fortunate to have Jim on board, but this award is separate from what Dr. Kennedy has done for Roxbury over the years.”

He explained that Kennedy’s role as a volunteer regional coordinator for FEMA sees Kennedy “working up and down the whole New Jersey coast.”

However, several members of the township council pointed out that Kennedy’s community involvement goes well beyond his role with emergency management. For example, he is on the township zoning board and serves as treasurer and board member of the Roxbury Public Library Board of Trustees.

A former Dover resident, Kennedy served for almost nine years on that town’s school board and for almost 20 years as a member of its fire department and rescue squad. He’s been a member of the state Fire Chiefs Association for 46 years.

“I don’t think anybody really understands the full depth of doctor Kennedy’s volunteerism in town, how many groups he actually helps,” said Roxbury Councilman Bob DeFillippo. “As treasurer for many years, he helped us bring the library from a really dismal place to a really strong financial footing. Jim is generous with his time and with his talent, and he’s really made a tremendous contribution to the community. It’s a well-deserved award for him.”

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Author : Fred J. Aun

Source Url : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/roxbury/sections/giving-back/articles/roxbury-s-james-kennedy-receives-volunteer-service-award

News Source : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/roxbury/sections/giving-back/articles/roxbury-s-james-kennedy-receives-volunteer-service-award