Disaster Preparedness CERT Basic Training Unit 1

Setting the Stage 1-1CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Course Preview ●Fire safety ●Disaster medical operations ●Light search and rescue ●CERT organization ●Disaster psychology ●CERT and terrorism 1-2CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Unit Objectives ●Identify roles and responsibilities for community preparedness ●Describe types of hazards that affect community, people, health, and infrastructure ●Undertake personal and organizational preparedness actions ●Describe functions of CERTs 1-3CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Community Preparedness: Roles and Responsibilities ●Key priority in lessening the impact of disasters ●Critical that all community members take steps to prepare ●Effective when addresses unique attributes of community and engages whole community 1-4CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Government ●Government has responsibility to:  Develop, test, and refine emergency plans  Ensure emergency responders have adequate skills and resources  Provide services to protect and assist citizens 1-5CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Operations Plan ●Assigns responsibility to organizations and individuals ●Sets forth lines of authority ●Describes how people and property will be protected ●Identifies personnel, equipment, facilities, supplies, and other resources 1-6CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Community Leaders ●Have a responsibility to participate in community preparedness  Participate on local collaborative planning council  Identify and integrate appropriate resources into government plans  Ensure that facilities, staff, and customers served are prepared 1-7CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

The Public ●Learn about community alerts, warnings, and evacuation routes ●Take training ●Practice skills and personal plans ●Network and help others ●Give feedback to community ●Report suspicious activity ●Volunteer 1-8CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Engaging the Whole Community ●Goal of Citizen Corps is to make communities safer, more prepared, and more resilient ●Citizen Corps Councils bring government and community leaders together ●Councils ensure emergency plans more effectively reflect the community 1-9CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Types of Disaster ●Natural ●Technological ●Intentional 1-10CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Key Disaster Elements ●They are relatively unexpected ●Emergency personnel may be overwhelmed ●Lives, health, and the environment are endangered 1-11CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Local Hazard Vulnerability ●Identify most common disasters that occur ●Identify possible hazards with most severe impact ●Consider recent or historical impacts ●Identify susceptible locations in the community for specific hazards ●Consider what to expect from disruption of services 1-12CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Floods CERT Basic Training Hazards

When Floods Occur ●Any time a body of water rises to cover what is usually dry land ●One of most common hazards  75% of Federally declared disasters ●May be local or widespread ●May develop slowly or fast Fl-14CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Causes of Floods and Flood Damage ●Heavy rain ●Spring snowmelt ●Dam and levee failure ●Low absorption or no soil percolation ●Business and residential growth in flood areas Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Factors Contributing to Flooding ●Rainfall intensity ●Rainfall duration ●Topography ●Soil conditions ●Ground cover Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Flood Hazards ●Heavy rainfall exacerbates problems with:  Runoff  Absorption  Flood-control measures ●Ravine flooding can inundate downstream areas ●In rocky and heavily paved areas, lack of absorption can cause flash flooding Fl-17CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Flood Risks ●Most communities have some risk of flooding ●Damage increases with development in:  Coastal areas  Floodplains Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Flood Preparedness ●Know flood risk in area ●Prepare flood evacuation plan ●Obtain flood insurance if living in floodplain ●Keep important documents in water-proof box ●Check portable radio for current information and emergency messages Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Protecting Property ●Elevate furnace, water heater, and electric panel ●Move furniture and other items to higher level ●Install check valves ●Waterproof basement floor and walls Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

If You Must Evacuate ●Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters ●Stay off bridges over fast-moving water ●Keep away from waterways ●Pay attention to barricades ●Avoid storm drains and irrigation ditches ●Keep family together Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

After a Flood ●Stay out of flooded areas ●Reserve telephone for emergencies ●Avoid driving, except in emergencies ●Wait for authorities to issue message that it is safe to return ●Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house Fl CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Floods

Severe Thunderstorms CERT Basic Training Hazards

A Severe Thunderstorm … ●Produces hail at least ¾ inch in diameter ●Has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher ●Produces a tornado Th-24CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Thunderstorms

Thunderstorm Risks ●Lightning ●Hail ●Downbursts and straight-line winds ●Flash floods ●Tornadoes Th CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Thunderstorms

Thunderstorm Preparedness ●Understand the risk ●Learn to make a small target ●Pay attention to warnings ●Check for hazards in your yard ●Bring outdoor furniture inside ●Remove dead or overhanging limbs Th CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Thunderstorms

During a Thunderstorm ●Things to avoid  Water sources  Telephone  Being outdoors Th CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Thunderstorms

If You Are Outdoors ●Get away from water sources ●Seek shelter in substantial building ●If necessary:  Take shelter in car or  Go to low-lying area and make small target ●Avoid natural lightning rods Th CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Thunderstorms

Tornadoes CERT Basic Training Hazards

A Tornado Is… ●Violently rotating column of air:  Extending between, and in contact with, cloud and earth’s surface  May be accompanied by winds in excess of 200 miles per hour To-30CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Tornado Risks ●Rip trees apart ●Destroy buildings ●Uproot structures and objects ●Send debris and glass flying ●Overturn cars and mobile homes To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Tornado Facts ●Occur in every state ●About 800 reported every year ●About 180 people killed every year ●Season runs March – August but tornados can occur any time of year ●Can occur any time of day but most likely to occur 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ●Annual damage can be hundreds of millions To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Fujita Wind-Damage Scale ●Measures tornado strength ●Six levels:  F0: Light damage  F1: Moderate damage  F2: Considerable damage  F3: Severe damage  F4: Devastating damage  F5: Incredible damage To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Tornado Preparedness ●Know the risk ●Identify potential shelter areas ●Learn the community’s warning system ●Conduct family tornado drills To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Tornado Warning Signs ●High winds ●Very large hail To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

During a Tornado ●Keep windows and doors closed and stay away from them ●Use shielding and protective clothing  Furniture  Blankets  Bike helmets ●Listen to EAS or NOAA Weather Radio To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

After a Tornado ●Avoid fallen power lines or broken utility lines ●Stay out of damaged areas ●Stay out of damaged buildings ●Use a flashlight to look for damage ●Turn off utilities ●Reserve telephone for emergencies To CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Tornadoes

Results of Damage to Infrastructure ●Police: address incidences of grave public safety ●Firefighters: suppress major fires ●EMS personnel: handle life-threatening injuries ●Lower priority needs met in other ways 1-38CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Hazards Related to Structure Type ●You may not have opportunity to select type of structure when a disaster occurs ●Engineered buildings have performed well in most types of disasters ●Types of damage vary by structure ●Differences in hazards and mitigation between single-family homes and multiple- unit dwellings 1-39CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Hazards from Home Fixtures ●Gas line ruptures  Displaced water heaters or ranges ●Damage  From falling books, dishes, other cabinet contents ●Electric shock or injury  From displaced appliances, office equipment ●Fire  From faulty wiring, overloaded plugs, or frayed electric cords 1-40CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Home and Workplace Preparedness 1-41CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for a Disaster ●Know local hazards, alerts, warning systems, evacuation routes, and sheltering plans ●Consider important elements of disaster preparedness ●Address specific needs for yourself and people you know 1-42CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Protective Actions ●Assess situation ●Decide to stay or change locations  Critical early decision in disasters ●Seek clean air and protect breathing passages ●Protect from debris and signal if trapped ●Remove contaminants ●Practice good hygiene 1-43CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Sheltering ●Shelter in place: sealing a room  Identify internal room  Stay for several hours  Store supplies ●Shelter for extended stay  Stay for several days or up to 2 weeks  Store emergency supplies ●Mass care or community shelter  Take 3-day disaster kits  Shelters provide most supplies 1-44CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Develop a Disaster Plan ●Where will you meet family members? ●Who is your out-of-State “check-in” contact? ●Will you have an extended stay? Shelter in place? Evacuate? ●How will you escape your home? Workplace? School? Place of worship? ●What route (and several alternates) will you use to evacuate your neighborhood? ●Do you have transportation? ●Did you practice your plan? 1-45CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Escape Planning ●Consider needs of children and individuals with disabilities ●Inform all family members or office coworkers of the plan ●Run practice escape drills 1-46CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for a Disaster ●Mitigation is the reduction of loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters  Any activity that prevents an emergency or reduces effects of hazards ●CERT members should have adequate homeowners coverage  Add flood insurance if in a flood hazard area 1-47CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Non-structural Hazard Mitigation ●Anchor heavy furniture ●Secure appliances and office equipment ●Install hurricane storm shutters ●Childproof cabinet doors ●Locate and label gas, electricity, and water shutoffs ●Secure water heaters and have flexible gas lines installed 1-48CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Other Mitigation Measures ●Bolt houses to foundations ●Install trusses or hurricane straps to reinforce roof ●Strap propane tanks and chimneys ●Strap mobile homes to their slabs ●Raise utilities ●Build a safe room 1-49CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Fortifying Your Home ●Different non- structural hazards to fortify against:  Home fires  Landslides or mudslides  Wildfires 1-50CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Get Involved ●Preparedness requires active participation from all  Talk to friends and family about hazards  Ask about emergency planning outside the home  Make sure those in charge have a plan ●Training provides skills needed to help others and keep skills current  CERT program provides training, practice, and connection to others  Participate in drills and exercises  Talk to friends and family about volunteering 1-51CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

CERT Disaster Response ●Respond in period immediately after a disaster ●Assist emergency response personnel when requested ●CERT members’ first responsibility is personal and family safety ●Respond after a disaster:  Locate and turn off utilities, if safe  Extinguish small fires  Treat injuries  Conduct light search and rescue  Help to relieve survivor stress 1-52CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

CERT Organization 1-53CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Personal Protective Equipment ●Helmet ●Goggles ●N95 Mask ●Gloves (work and non-latex) ●Sturdy shoes or work boots 1-54CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

CERT in Action 1-55CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Non-Disaster Roles ●Identify and aid neighbors/coworkers who might need assistance ●Distribute preparedness materials; do demos ●Staff first aid booths at special events ●Assist with installation of smoke alarms ●Parade route management 1-56CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Protection for Disaster Workers ●CERT members generally protected by:  “Good Samaritan” laws  Volunteer Protection Act of 1997  Relevant State statutes 1-57CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Additional Training for CERTs ●Advanced first aid ●Animal issues in disasters ●Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use ●Community relations ●CPR skills ●Debris removal ●Donations management ●Shelter management ●Special needs concerns ●Traffic/crowd control ●Utilities control ●Online courses 1-58CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Unit Summary ●You should now be able to:  Identify roles and responsibilities for community preparedness  Describe types of hazards that affect community, people, health, and infrastructure  Undertake personal and organizational preparedness actions  Describe functions of CERTs 1-59CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness

Review detailed information for Unit 1 2.Read unit to be covered in next session 3.Bring necessary supplies and wear appropriate clothes for next session 4.Discuss preparedness with family and friends 5.Assemble supplies in multiple locations 6.Examine homes for hazards Homework Assignment CERT Basic Training Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness