Unit 2: CERT Organization

History of CERT CERT in Marin County Incident Command System – CERT Team Organization Size-Up Process Communications

CERT Organization History of CERT National History of CERT  1985 – The idea to train volunteers from the community to assist emergency service personnel during large natural disasters began  The City of Los Angeles Fire Department developed a pilot program to train a group of leaders in a neighborhood watch organization  Following the Whittier Narrows earthquake the City of Los Angeles created the Disaster Preparedness Section  FEMA took the concept and made program available to communities nationwide  CERT became part of the Citizen Corps  As of 2004, 50 states, three territories and six foreign countries are using the CERT training

CERT Organization History of CERT S. F. Earthquake 1906

CERT Organization History of CERT S. F. Earthquake 1906

CERT Organization History of CERT Loma Prieta 1989

CERT Organization History of CERT 7.1 (6.9) / 15 Seconds

CERT Organization CERT in Marin County Landslide 1998

CERT Organization CERT in Marin County San Anselmo Floods 2005

CERT Organization CERT in Marin County Wild Fire

CERT Organization CERT in Marin County  Since the mid-1990s Marin has implemented CERT training in the county  Six independent CERT programs were offered throughout the county  As of 2011 a new and enhanced countywide Marin County CERT program is implemented  The training is available in five training zones: Southern Marin, Central Marin, San Rafael, Novato and West Marin

CERT Organization CERT in Marin County  Team oriented  Neighborhood team leaders  Refresher and advanced trainings

CERT Organization Exercise Exercise: Intro to CERT Organization

CERT Organization CERT in Action Video

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Objectives  Identify the scope of the incident – What is the problem? 1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act  Determine an overall strategy – What can we do, and how will we do it? 1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act  Deploy resources – Who is going to do what, with what? 1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Incident Command System *Remember to maintain span of control *Remember to maintain span of control

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Incident Command System

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Team Leader (Incident Commander) Take charge Big picture Clear communicator Non-tactical Interface

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Does It Team (Operations Section)  Do stuff Fire SAR Medical  Action oriented  Tactical

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Plans It Team (Planning Section) Quick thinkers What to do now What to do in future Plans for unexpected Drives “Does It” & “Gets It”

CERT Organization Incident Command System-CERT Gets It Team (Logistics Section) Gathering resources- all types Well organized Creative Supplies for victims and teams

CERT Organization Team Organization CERT Functions  Size-up.  Conduct light search and rescue.  If necessary, locate and turn off utilities.  Extinguish small fires.  Triage and treat injuries.  Gather resources.  Comfort.

CERT Organization Team Organization CERT Organization  Based on Incident Command System (ICS).  Necessary for structured and organized approach.  Helps to organize people and resources.  Can work for those not CERT trained.

CERT Organization Team Organization Provides:  Common goals.  Organized command structure.  Manageable span of control.  Integrated communication.  Common Terminology.  Standardization between all CERT members.

CERT Organization Team Organization Effective Organizational Elements  Goals Common, shared, and attainable.  Team One leader, group effort, and accountability.  Communications Clear, understood, and structured.  Resources Realistic, identified, and tracked.

CERT Organization Team Organization CERT Mobilization 1.Take care of yourself, family and neighbors 2.Proceed to the staging area with disaster supplies 3.Designation of leader, operations, planning and logistics

CERT Organization Size-Up Process Size-Up 1.Gather facts. 2.Assess the scene. 3.Identify your resources. 4.Establish your priorities. 5.Develop a plan. 6.Conduct operations. 7.Evaluate your progress.

CERT Organization CERT Communications Communications  How will you communicate within your team and with others? Will you communicate with runners? Family-talk radios? Amateur radio operators?  How will you communicate with government officials when they arrive?

CERT Organization Exercise Exercise: ICS Functions Fun

CERT Organization Review CERT Organization Review Take care of yourself, family, neighbors. Proceed to staging area w/supplies. First members arriving organize the team and leader. Gather and prioritize information. Assign people based on capabilities. Maintain span of control. Prioritize actions and create a plan. Continually evaluate. Communications. Documentation.