CERT ACTIVATION REFRESHER Brenda M. Bergeron, Esq. 1

Municipal Chief Executive Officer –Take actions necessary to mitigate a major disaster or emergency. “Deputize” help –Request Governor or DEMHS to authorize the temporary use of civil preparedness forces. –Declare an emergency –Convene situation-appropriate Unified Command –Appoint Local Emergency Management Director –Serve on Regional Emergency Planning Team –Review and approve the Local Emergency Operations Plan annually 2

Emergency Management Director: the CEO’s Go-To Person Responsible for local emergency preparedness; Does at the local level what DEMHS does at the state level Reviews and approves annual Local Emergency Operations Plan Serves on CEO’s Unified Command Administer oaths, maintains roster of volunteers; requests approval of activations 3

Volunteer Civil Preparedness Forces Examples: Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) DEMHS Urban Search and Rescue Team 4

CERT Activations Training appropriate for the proposed mission Under the direction of a designated local official Administer oath annually Maintain a roster and update annually When properly activated, members enjoy state liability and workers compensation protection-DO NOT SELF DISPATCH 5

CERT Standard Operating Procedure When you request activation approval, you are certifying that these members are properly trained and sworn in Activate for emergencies Activate for pre-planned training or large scale event –Lighting at every ball game vs. crowd control at annual fair –Submit at least 2 weeks in advance Request approval through the DEMHS Regional Coordinator Keep a log of who participates, when their participation begins and ends Revised CERT SOP is posted on DEMHS web site 6