1. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Community Emergency Response Team CERT Executive Briefing

2. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Why CERT???  Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services.  Number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment's notice

3. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Why CERT???  People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.  Under these conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other.

4. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 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

5. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Case in Point…  Mexico City earthquake –Untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. –However, 100 people lost their lives while attempting to save others.  This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

6. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 What can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?  First, present citizens the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services.  Second, give the message about their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness.

7. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 What can government do to prepare citizens for this eventuality?  Third, train them in needed life saving skills with emphasis on decision making skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.  Fourth, organize teams so that they are an extension of first responder services offering immediate help to victims until professional services arrive.

8. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 CERT History  Los Angeles Fire Department 1985  Emergency response overloaded; citizens “on their own”  Basic training – survival, rescue  “Civilians” helping neighbors until other assistance arrives  FEMA adopted & promotes concept  President Bush’s creation of Citizen Corps

9. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 What does CERT do? ~Individual Preparedness  Furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster.  Increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors.  Individuals will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.

10. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 What does CERT do? ~Community Preparedness  Civilians can be recruited and trained as neighborhood and business teams that, in essence, will be auxiliary responders.  Benefits of CERT…

11. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Benefits of CERT  Trained, organized volunteers  Support to first responders  Provide immediate assistance to victims  Organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site  Collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts

12. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 What CERT is…  CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number.  CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference.

13. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Link with Professional Responders  Coordination with local Citizen’s Corps Councils and local emergency services are essential to CERT success

14. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Course Overview The scope of the course includes:  Fire safety.  Emergency medical operations.  Light search and rescue.  CERT organization.  Disaster psychology.  CERTs and terrorism.

15. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Community Delivery  The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2 1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a 7 week period.  After these weekly sessions, the program culminates into a large group exercise.  Multi-agency, multi-discipline instructors.

16. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 CERT Liability  #1 – Consult with your legal counsel  Limit exposure and liability  Consent, waiver forms for participants  Adhere to established training and curriculum standards  Ensure that participants understand their scope of practice

17. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Laws that Protect Volunteers  CERTs are considered "Good Samaritans" and covered under the Volunteer Protection Act.  CERT volunteers do not have any authority beyond serving as "Good Samaritan" when helping others.

18. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Laws that Protect Volunteers  NYS Defense Emergency Act  NYS Executive Law Article 2B

19. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 CERT Funding  A variety of local approaches to obtaining funds.  Some communities build costs into their budget while others charge participants to cover costs for instructors and course materials.  In some communities, CERT organizations have filed for 501(C)3 (non-profit organization) status, thus allowing them to do fund raising.  Grants to communities.

20. NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Program Responsibilities  State responsibilities: –T-t-T courses –Curriculum coordination  Local responsibilities: –Course delivery –Materials and equipment costs –Team/program management