Disaster Preparedness CERT Basic Training Course (Community Emergency Response Team) Disaster Preparedness Unit 6- CERT Organization

Incident Command System Developed in Southern California in 1985 after big wildfire problems due to multiple agencies with different priorities & procedures Standardized structure for agency planning, coordination and control National standard since 2003 at wildfires, crime scenes, disasters CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization 1

CERT and ICS CERT in Action 1994 Northridge Earthquake in LA neighborhood support Search - 203 Rescue - 17 Utilities - 156 Medical - 57 Firefight - 5 2016 Tsunami threat Monterey County teams provided beach warning 2

Unit 6: CERT Organization Unit Objectives Describe the ICS structure Identify how CERTs relate with ICS Explain documentation requirements Make checklist of steps in CERT mobilization (Manual pg 6-1 mobilization added) CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization

Unit Topics CERT Organization Mobilization Documentation 4

Principles of On-scene Management Maintain the safety of disaster workers Greatest good for the greatest number of people Provide clear leadership and organizational structure Improve effectiveness of rescue efforts

CERT Onscene Management Well-defined management structure Manageable span of control (3 – 7) Common terminology Effective communication Consolidated action plans Comprehensive resource management Accountability

Objectives for OnScene Management Identify scope of incident Determine overall strategy Set priorities Deploy resources Document actions and results CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization

Basic Incident Command System The “Doers” Fire Suppression Search & Rescue Medical Operations The “Getters” & Communications Planning, People, Paper Rarely Needed By CERTs 8

CERT Incident Command First person at staging area is Incident Commander/Team Leader (can hand off responsibility later) IC/TL directs team activities and ensures incident safety Sets up Command Post and stays there Assigns workers to head Operations, Logistics & Planning Interfaces with Media and other Responders (Fire, Police, etc.) Takes direction from Agency official (Manual pg 6-6) 9

Initial CERT Organization Fire Suppression Squad A Fire Suppression Squad B Search & Rescue Squad Triage Squad Initially, IC/TL may manage all operations. Further staff sections activated as needed 6-7

CERT Incident Operations Typically one of the first functions assigned Directs and coordinates all incident tactical operations: Fire Suppression Search & Rescue Medical Group Documents team briefings and assignments 11

CERT Incident Logistics Provides Communications Provides food and medical support to Team members Coordinates with Operations to determine needs Manages supplies and facilities Documents equipment, supplies and facilities 12

CERT Incident Planning Tracks Resources (CERT members and other volunteers who have reported in) Tracks situation status (incident & staging locations, routes, hazards) Prepares Team’s action plan & alternative strategies Provides documentation services to other Sections Maintains Personnel Resources Tracking Log 13

CERT Incident Administration (RARELY needed at CERT incidents) (Contract negotiation and monitoring) (Timekeeping) (Cost Analysis) (Develop alternative strategies) (Compensation for injury or damage to property) CERT Logistics maintains any expense records 14

Dealing with the Media Refer media inquiries to CERT IC/TL and Fire Department Do not let media inhibit CERT goals Have separate area if briefings needed Be careful about information released (Manual pg 6-10) 15

CERTS RESPONDING TO AN INCIDENT Whether it is a local neighborhood Team putting out road blocks and redirecting traffic until professional responders arrive Or You are mobilized to assist with a larger scale incident, knowing ICS will help you integrate better into disaster response efforts.

Unit Topics CERT Organization Mobilization Documentation 17

CERT Mobilization CERTs take care of themselves, their families, their homes, their neighbors When activated, proceed to staging area; assess damage along the way IC/TL is established, organizes the group, prioritizes actions Organization is flexible and evolves based on new information 18

CERT Mobilization You should have items for 72 hours Need neighborhood “buddy” – you cannot effectively work alone Document your arrival at staging area or, if authorized, by radio Organize into squads according to needs and skills out of immediate CP (Manual pg 6-11) 19

Operations: Fire Suppression Teams Team member safety is first priority In Fire Suppression: Shut-off utilities as needed Extinguish small fires Document activities Document on Incident/Assignment Tracking Log 20

Operations: Search & Rescue Teams Team member safety is first priority In Search and Rescue: Heavy damage = No rescue Moderate damage = Locate, triage, evacuate Light damage = Locate, triage, continue size-up Document on Incident/Assignment Tracking Log 21

Operations: Medical Teams Team member safety is first priority In Medical Operations: Set up treatment area Triage victims again Head-to-toe assessment Treatment Facilitate transport as needed Document using Victim Treatment Area Record 22

Unit Topics CERT Organization Mobilization Documentation 23

Documentation Squad Leaders - document actions taken Use notebook or regular form Time of action important Section Chiefs at Command Post Provide IC/TL with timely information Document situation status Incident locations & access routes Identified hazards Support locations Personnel status 24

Task is not done until paperwork is done – even during disaster! Documentation Task is not done until paperwork is done – even during disaster! Must track People Priorities Resources (Summary list of forms in Manual pgs 6-16 & 17) CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization 25

CERT Documentation Forms Damage Assessment (Individual arriving CERTs) Personnel Resources Sign-In (Planning) Incident/Assignment Tracking Log (Operations) Briefing Assignment (Operations) Medical Treatment Area Record (Operations) Equipment Inventory (Logistics) Communications Log (Logistics) General Message (Everyone) 26

Documentation Flow – Workers Arrive Incident Commander/Team Leader establishes Command Post and may designate Operations, Logistics and Planning Chiefs depending on scale of incident Damage Assessment Arriving CERT volunteers give filled out Damage Assessment Sheets to Incident Commander or Operations Chief Damage Assessment Arriving CERT volunteers sign in with Incident Commander or Planning using Personnel Resources Sign-In sheet 27

CERT Form: Damage Assessment To be filled out as you go to CP or staging Also used in squad surveys of neighborhood Used to help prioritize problems 6-28

CERT Form: Personnel Resources Track CERT and SUV personnel at sign-in Helps in selecting team members by expertise

Documentation Flow – Incidents Prioritized Incident Commander/Team Leader designates Operations, Logistics and Planning Chiefs depending on scale of incident and gives them overall priorities to best use resources Damage Assessment IC/TL or Operations Chief prepares an Incident Assignment Tracking Log. Uses Damage Assessment forms to establish priorities. This is an overview document for keeping abreast of situation status and contains essential information for tracking the overall situation. Damage Assessment Signed In CERT volunteers report to the Incident Commander or Operations Chief for assignments. 30

CERT Form: Assignment Tracking Documents what each team has done Should match up with Form 1

Documentation Flow – Squad Assignments Incident Commander/Team Leader monitors incident and staff sections, adjusting priorities as needed, so that resources are best used. Damage Assessment The Incident/Assignment Tracking Log will be used to prepare Briefing Assignment Sheets with instructions to Functional Squads. Functional Squads will use the Briefing Assignment sheets to log and report damage assessments, etc. Functional Squads will bring completed Briefing Assignment sheets back to IC/TL or Operations 32

CERT Form: Briefing Assignment Operations gives team specific task Team documents its actions

Documentation Flow - Equipment Incident Commander/Team Leader monitors incident and staff sections, adjusting priorities as needed, so that Operations teams are best used. Damage Assessment Functional Squads report to Logistics to check out equipment. Logistics documents equipment checked out on Equipment Inventory Form. Functional Squads will bring checked out equipment at end of assignment. Logistics documents returned equipment on Equipment Inventory Form. 34

CERT Form: Equipment Inventory What you have and where it is Helps identify needs you do not have CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization

Documentation Flow – Medical Incident Commander/Team Leader monitors incident and staff sections, adjusting priorities as needed, so that resources are best used. Functional Squads assigned to the Medical Treatment Area go to Logistics to check out medical equipment and supplies. Logistics documents equipment checked out on Equipment Inventory Form. Victim Treatment Area Record is completed by medical treatment area personnel to record victims entering the treatment area, their condition, and their status. Medical Teams will return checked out equipment at end of assignment. Logistics documents returned equipment on Equipment Inventory Form. 36

CERT Form: Medical Treatment Kept at CP in Operations Helps prioritize transportation of patients 6-37

Documentation Flow – Communications Incident Commander/Team Leader monitors incident and staff sections, adjusting priorities as needed, so that resources are best used. General Messages are used for sending messages between command levels and groups; messages should be clear and concise and focus on key issues such as: Additional resources requested Special information Status updates Always include the following: TO FROM DATE and TIME 38

Unit 6: CERT Organization Documentation Flow – Communications FORM 6 Kept at CP sections FORM 8 Kept by sender & receiver CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization

Disaster Exercise Organize your team according to ICS design Messages and bystander reports will come in Decide what needs to happen & take “action” We will switch roles during the exercise so everyone can see variety After action review 40

“Is it safe to attempt the rescue?” Unit Summary ICS provides flexible organization to secure current information about group safety, status, response to needs & plans “Is it safe to attempt the rescue?” IC/TL supervises incident at Command Post, delegating authority as needed Communicate and Document information to all CERT levels 41

Unit 6: CERT Organization Homework Assignment Complete pgs 6-30 & 6-31 in manual (will be discussed at start next week) Read unit to be covered in next session Bring necessary supplies to next session Wear appropriate clothes to next session CERT Basic Training Unit 6: CERT Organization 42