CITIZEN CORPS & CERT ORGANIZATIONS

What is Citizen Corps? Following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, state and local government officials have increased opportunities for citizens to become an integral part of protecting the homeland and supporting the local first responders. Officials agree that the formula for ensuring a more secure and safer homeland consists of preparedness, training, and citizen involvement in supporting first responders. In January 2002, President George W. Bush launched USA Freedom Corps, to capture the spirit of service that has emerged throughout our communities following the terrorist attacks.

What is Citizen Corps? Citizen Corps, a vital component of USA Freedom Corps, was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

What is Citizen Corps? Citizen Corps programs build on the successful efforts that are in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Programs that started through local innovation are the foundation for Citizen Corps and this national approach to citizen participation in community safety.

What is Citizen Corps? Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security. In this capacity, DHS works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the White House Office of the USA Freedom Corps.

Citizen Corps Mission To have everyone in America participate in making themselves, our communities, and our nation safer We all have a role in hometown security  A personal responsibility to be prepared;  To get training in first aid and emergency skills; and  To volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

Citizen Corps Affiliates

In 95% of all emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the FIRST to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue. Los Angeles Fire Department The Need to be Ready

One firefighter for every 265 people One sworn officer for every 334 people One EMT/paramedic for every 325 people First Responders Per Capita Journal of Emergency Medical Services (2004); National Fire Protection Association (2003); National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (2003)

Citizen Corps Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal Responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster Relief, and community safety. Currently there are: 2,303 Councils which serve 223,200,849 people or 78% of the total U.S. population

CERT Concept Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) are formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace who want to better prepare for the hazards that threaten their communities.

CERT Concept CERT allows community members to become active participants in learning about their hazards and preparing for them.

CERT Concept After training, CERT members augment emergency services capabilities, when called upon, by learning skills that they can apply following a disaster

CERT Concept The use of CERTs has grown from the original concept of involving community members in earthquake response operations to a program with merit for all communities and all disasters.

CERTs Role  Agencies like Fire, Police, Public Works, and Emergency Medical work to provide immediate response in disasters. However, during disasters, these organizations may not be able to meet immediate needs because of demands and disrupted communication and transportation systems. It is possible that following a disaster, CERTs may respond to immediate needs in their neighborhoods or workplaces.  Key Points:  Disasters are unexpected, overwhelming, and dangerous.  CERT teams operating in their areas can extend the capabilities of response organizations to minimize damage to life and property.

CERTs Role  Disaster Response  CERTs respond in the period immediately following a disaster. CERT members are trained to perform many immediate response functions when professional responders are delayed.  After professional responders arrive, CERTs may assist them with critical support activities.

CERT and ICS (Incident Command System) Basic ICS Structure Incident Commander Operations Section Chief Logistics Section Chief Planning Section Chief Administration Section Chief

CERT Structure CERT Command Structure Operations Section Chief Fire Suppression Group Leader Search and Rescue Group Leader Medical Group Leader Fire Suppression Team A Fire Suppression Team B Fire Suppression Team C Staging Area S & R Team A S & R Team B S & R Team C Triage Team Treatment Team Morgue Team

Need for CERT Organization Provides:  Common terminology that contributes to effective communication and shared understanding.  Effective communication among team members.  A well-defined management structure.  Accountability.

Objectives of CERT Organization  Identify the scope of an incident  Determine an overall strategy  Deploy resources  Document actions and results

Purpose of On-Scene Management  MAINTAIN SAFETY OF DISASTER WORKERS FIRST AND FOREMOST!  Provide clear leadership and organizational structure.  Improve effectiveness of rescue efforts.

CERT Decisionmaking  Heavy damage = No rescue  Moderate damage = Minimize rescuers and time in building  Light damage = Locate, triage, treat, and prioritize victim removal

Responsibilities for Documentation  Provide command post with ongoing information.  Document incident status.  Incident locations  Access routes  Identified hazards  Support locations

Southern Union Education System and ACTS World Relief The objective of the Southern Union Education System and ACTS World Relief in using students is to support first responders, after they have set up a secure place to stay, by providing them and incident survivors with:  Food  Water  Emotional support  Manpower for things such as: Debris removal Community needs surveys Loading and unloading supplies Etc.

What we are going to do today  CERT Functions & Preparedness  Search & Rescue  Fire Safety  Hazardous Materials  Triage  Medical Treatment  Psychological Symptoms  IS-317 Examination  100% of the class receiving IS-317 Certification

This training is provided by the Southern Union Education System and ACTS World Relief for the express purpose of training the youth of our church to provide effective service to others in their time of extreme need.