Community Emergency Response

Teams(CERT)

Training Citizens To Prepare For, Deal With, And Recover From

Major Emergencies

What is a Community Emergency Response Team?

A “CERT” is a group of people that is organized and receives special training that enhances their ability to recognize, respond to, and recover from a major emergency or disaster situation.

The CERT is organized under the leadership of the local jurisdiction.

They are trained by emergency responders and emergency management personnel in areas that will help them take care of themselves and others before, during, and after a major emergency.

As an organized team, they can provide vital services in the absence of emergency responders, whose arrival may be delayed due to the scope of the event.

When a major emergency overwhelms normally available resources, response delays of hours or even days may occur; someone with “basic skills training” should be able to immediately assist those in distress.

What Substantiates The Need For A CERT ?

Various reports of “Lessons Learned” from different disasters including the most recent weather disasters; Hugo in 1989, Andrew in 1992 and the “Unnamed Storm of 1993”.

One study of particular impact was released in June, 1990 by the Urban Institute of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on the Lessons Learned from Hurricane Hugo. Hugo struck Charlotte after traveling 200 miles inland while maintaining hurricane force winds that did damage estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Excerpts of the Study are quoted– “Emergency plans must find ways to incorporate citizens, a tremendous

resource.....find ways to increase citizen participation”– “More training in emergency response is needed, not only for public employees,

but for all segments of the community.”– “Identify ways to create neighborhood contacts or teams to help in an

emergency....”– “Identify priority agencies and businesses to be assisted in regaining

operation....Grocery stores and banks may need greater attention and assistance from government than previously recognized.”

– “Special attention needs to be directed to poorer neighborhoods....poor citizens have fewer personal financial resources to help recover from an emergency...”

– “Find ways to incorporate and to legitimize citizen involvement in emergency response...”

– “Conduct more training for emergencies, especially for personnel working in group facilities such as schools, jails and senior centers.”

– “Explore ways to get information to employees about the safety of their families in an emergency. One of the key factors related to keeping any employee on the job...is knowledge about the safety of the family.”

– “Establish a business emergency response committee to plan coordinated assistance from business to the community.”

– “Devise ways to get services out to needy citizens in a more timely manner.”– “Contact neighborhood associations prior to an emergency to identify

neighborhood volunteers.”

What Major Emergencies Could Affect Your Jurisdiction?

Weather Emergencies– Hurricanes would naturally have the most extensive impact on the entire community. Even

if your jurisdiction is not a coastal community, it could become a “Host Community” to evacuees from other parts of the State. This major influx of people has State and Local Emergency Management officials concerned about not only the impact of this new population on local service demand, but also the fear of people being caught on the roads during the severe weather that can accompany even a passing storm.

– Tornadoes are the most feared weather phenomenon due to their lack of advance warning coupled with the severe damage and threat to life they can cause in such a short time. Their impact on local resources is dependent on how many tornadoes occur, where they touch down, and what path they take.

– Severe Thunderstorm with High Winds are a regular occurrence in many states. Their severity varies generally on the time of year they are generated, But their damage and drain on emergency resources can be “Area Wide” in scope.

Transportation Incidents affecting large populations– An Aircraft Crash On or Off an Airport would be an immediate drain on emergency

resources. The prospect of a large jetliner going down in a populated neighborhood or a downtown area is a dread fear of emergency management and response personnel.

– A Train Derailment or Truck Transport Accident with Chemical Release and/or Fire is always a concern due to the fact that railroads and major highways go through the center of the major urban areas of many cities. Any major accident could create a mass casualty incident or the need to move a large number of people out of harm’s way in a very short period of time.

– A Passenger or School Bus Accident with Multiple Injuries is one of the most likely transportation accidents that can occur. This type of incident could commit a major portion of a jurisdiction’s “on duty” emergency resources immediately.

Major Fire in a High Rise, or other High Life Hazard Occupancy– Any large area building or high rise such as a Hotel, Office Building, Retirement Community

or Hospital could easily require all on-duty resources, the need to recall off-duty personnel, and the use of other jurisdictions for response.

– Other Major Emergencies– Other major emergencies can range from wide area flooding to a terrorist attack. Each

jurisdiction must prepare for each of these possibilities through their Emergency Management efforts. Public education and citizen involvement appear to be the most aggressive method of “disaster mitigation” available.

What Part Do The Team Members Play?

Properly Trained, They Would:– Be Better Prepared to deal with events that might otherwise seem

overwhelming.

– Recognize The Potential Hazards associated with a particular type of event and take appropriate action.

– Take Steps To Get To Safety and/or help others to do so in a more organized fashion.

– Assume A Leadership Role with those who are not trained to deal with the event.

– Administer First Aid and/or Triage techniques.

– Identify, Organize, and Utilize Available Resources.

– Perform Needs Assessment, document and communicate to local authorities.

– Assist Others With The Emotional Distress associated with major emergencies and disaster conditions.

– Allow Better Allocation Of Emergency Resources by being more capable of “sizing-up” a situation and properly advising emergency responders.

Where Do We Find Team Members?

Neighborhoods/Homeowners’ Associations

Graduates of the Citizens Fire and Police Academies

Employees of the jurisdiction

High Rise Apartments and Offices

The Hotel/Motel Industry

Businesses/Civic Groups

Schools/Churches/Hospitals/Homes For The Elderly

Anywhere People Live, Work or Interact

Is It Practical To Train People Just For Disasters?

Disaster is typically considered an event that causes injury, loss of life , and widespread damage. It almost always causes local resources to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the crisis.

In our daily lives, citizens unable to help others represents a resource that is “overwhelmed” and basically becomes a “Disaster” on a personal level.– Not knowing how to help on the scene of an auto

accident, or pedestrian hit by a vehicle– Inability to recognize and initially treat severe

bleeding, broken bones or bad burns– Unaware of the steps (or the precautions) to take

when faced with a victim that has an airway problem.

Citizens trained in the manner proposed should be able to Deal More Effectively With Daily Emergencies so they won’t create that “Personal Disaster” situation; and they can advise responders of the pre-emptive steps that have been taken by those on the scene.

How Are Members of The Team Trained?

– Students attend seven (7) weekly classes given by local emergency response and emergency management instructors, (a detailed description of each module follows this summary). The American Red Cross course “Introduction to Disaster Services” should also be scheduled as an optional part of the CERT curriculum.

– Students are grouped into teams (preferably 5 or 6 in each team) in the first class and complete the course as a unit.

– Each class lasts for two and one half (2 1/2) hours each week and reading assignments are given at the end of each class.

– Lecture is supported by video, slides, and overhead projected materials. Lecture time gives way to practical, tabletop, and team building exercises wherever possible.

– A disaster simulation is staged to allow students to apply their newly acquired skills in a realistic environment with multiple casualties.

Private study can be accomplished by using the FEMA Home Study courses provided by most state emergency management offices.

Advanced Study is available to those graduates interested in getting better trained in a specific area. These areas of study would be taught by personnel from the various departments and associated agencies that normally respond to disastrous events.

How Do Graduates Keep Their Interest?

It is important to each jurisdiction that graduates realize they are an integral part of the Local Emergency Management System. The CERT Program Coordinator should schedule graduates for a variety of activities that are intended to show the jurisdiction’s commitment to the Program.

– Graduates might be allowed to ride with in-service emergency units in order to see some of the techniques they have learned used in the field.

– Monthly meetings might be scheduled for graduates and interested individuals to attend. Attendees can be brought up to date on any news or changes that may affect them, or the emergency management system; and they can be given up to an hour class on a topic that enhances training they have received.

– Graduates should be asked to periodically attend neighborhood activities or other public gatherings to man exhibits, hand out literature, and help others learn about the CERT Program.

– Graduates available during daytime hours may be asked to volunteer to help administer the program and answer telephone inquiries.

– Some jurisdictions around the country use CERT graduates as a volunteer resource for community service projects.

Do They Really Work As A Team?

The “Team”, in its most general sense, would refer to the group of citizens that seek training and share a common interest in becoming more aware of the problems and solutions that may affect them, their families, and their neighborhood.

Students attend the class in “teams” in order to experience the camaraderie that is associated with a group of people that organize to accomplish goals together.

The graduate of this course is encouraged to go back to their neighborhood and garner the interest necessary to form “neighborhood teams” that can prepare for and respond to each other’s needs in the event of an impending or actual emergency situation.

Neighborhood Watch is a Team based concept that has neighbors watching out for neighbors.

The CERT Program adds a new dimension to this concept and gives participants the skills and learning bank that allows them to deal with many of the problems that can affect a community.

“Teams” are people working toward a common goal or cause.

How Are Teams Formed?

The graduate of the CERT Program is made aware of the problems that they could face during a major emergency. They share this information with friends in their neighborhood.

As these friends learn of the availability of information that could enhance their family’s safety, interest in certain areas of personal experience, personal preference or potential expertise emerge.

People will seek new knowledge in areas that they find of interest or that they are capable of performing. Some people are good at “hands-on” tasks; others feel comfortable with leadership, support or documentation duties.

The American public enjoys a challenge, especially a challenge that makes them feel philanthropic, or gives them a feeling of a “sense of belonging” to the community where they live.

As the interest in this “new challenge” grows, so do the number of people that want to belong to this “New Team” that is emerging in their neighborhood. Leaders are appointed, tasks are assigned, and training is scheduled so that everybody feels better about their ability to be prepared; and be a part of the “TEAM”.

How Does This Fit Into A City Organization?

C om m unity E m ergency Respons e T eamT ra in ing S ruc ture

M ayor A n dC om m is s ion ers

P u b licE d u cation

S ec tion

E m erg en cyM an ag em en t

S ec tion

In -S erviceTra in in gD ivis ion

E m erg en cyM ed ic a lS ervices

C .E .R .TeamM em b ers

C .E .R .T.In s tru c tors

FIRECHIEF

C h ief A d m in is tra to ro r C ity M an ag er

A City as an Example

In many cities that have CERT programs, they are often administered by the fire department. This may be for a couple of reasons .

– First, the fire department normally employs the emergency response and medical personnel that can teach the response portions of the course.

– Secondly, most fire departments have active public education programs, and CERT can be fairly easily incorporated into those processes.

In many cases the fire department is also responsible for emergency management, so the program can fit very appropriately into the public education goals of the jurisdiction.

Other City, or County as it may be, departments such as public works, public utilities, police, etc., should also be included as part of the teaching cadre. Each department has a specific role during a disaster, and those roles can be taught to the public through CERT. Having an understanding of government’s limitations after a disaster is a major benefit to the citizen; and the local jurisdiction.

When the fire department operates the course, it is usually also established as the primary contact after a disaster.

How Does the Neighborhood Structure Look?

R esp o n se T ea m O rg a n iza tio nB a sic S tru ctu re

S e a r c h &R e sc u e

S e a rc h / R e sc ueE va c ua tio n

S a fe ty / F ireS u p p r e ss io n

S up p re ss io nU tilitie s / H a zM a t

M e d ica lT ria ge

T re a tm e ntS p e c ia l N e e d s

L o g is tic sS ta ffing

C o m munic a tio nsF o o d / E q uip m e nt

O n -S ite / A r e aT ea m L e a d e r

D o c um e nta tio nS itua tio n S ta tus

F ir e D e p a r tm e n t L ia iso n

How Comprehensive Can the Team Get?

N eighborhood R esponse O rga niza tionAlert / Em ergency Sta tus

M ayor an d /o rC ity/C ou n ty M an ag erC o lla te A n d R ep ort

O n C om m u n ity S tatu s

P u b lic W orksC oord in a to r

M on ito rs /R e lays S ta tu so f In fras tru c tu re

D am ag e A s s es sm en tC oord in a to r

D eterm in es/R e lays S ta tu so f P riva te D am ag e

In fo rm ation /P lan n in gC oo rd in a to r

G ath ers an d D oc u m en tsIn fo rm ation /A s sess m en ts

V o lu n ta ry G ood sA n d S e rvices

C oord in a tes U s e O fM an p ower/S u p p lies

F ood /W ate rC oord in a tor

M on ito rs /R ation sA s A va ilab le

R esou rc eC oord in a to r

M a in ta in s /A s s ig n sA va ilab le R es ou rc es

S p ec ia l N eed sC oo rd in ato r

D eterm in es Th os e Th a tN eed S p ec ia l H e lp

Tran sp orta tionC oord in a tor

A s sess es /R e lays A b ility& N eed To M o ve P eop le

H ea lth & M ed ic a lC oo rd in a to r

S ees To N eed s O fTh os e In ju red /In D is tres s

M ass C a reC oord in a to r

D eterm in es /R elaysS ta tu s o f P eop le

F ire/R esc u e/H az M atC oord in a to r

M it ig ate an d /o rD eterm in e N eed s

L aw E n fo rcem en t/S ecu rityC oord in a to r

E va lu a te an dR eq u es t R es ou rces

O n -S ite /A reaTeam L ead e r

C o lla tes A n d R ep ortsO n N e ig h b orh ood S ta tu s

C om m u n ica t ion sC oord in a to r

M a in ta in s C om mL in k w /A u th orit ies

C E R T TeamL ias on P ers on n e l

In fo rm ation C on d u it fo rN e ig h b orh ood Team s

D isas te r O p eration sP ers on n e l a t E O C

C oord in ate O p era tion sR ecom m en d P o lic y

Overhead Team Structure/Operation

Mayor and/or City/County Manager– Gather Information from EOC and CERT Liaison personnel, report

on community status.– Consider policy requests from EOC.– Authorize Emergency Policy implementation through

Executive/Policy Group decisions.

CERT Liaison Personnel– CERT instructors and/or HAM radio personnel located in the EOC

of the jurisdiction.– Act as information conduit between On-Site/Area Team Leaders

and EOC for needs and status.

Emergency Operations Personnel at the EOC– Coordinate emergency operations.– Recommend policy decisions based on situation.– Implement policy decisions approved by Executive Committee.– Gather information, allocate resources, and act on reports from

emergency response units and Neighborhood Team Leaders.– Reports actions/status to Executive/Policy Group.

On-Site Team Structure

C om m u n ica tion sC oord in a to r

D am ag e/N eed sA s s es sm en t

P u b lic W ork sIn fras tru c tu re

In fo rm ation an dP lan n in g

V o lu n ta ry G ood san d S ervic es

F ood an dW ate r

R esou rceC oord in a to r

F ire /R es cu eH azM at

L aw E n fo rcem en tan d S ec u rity

Tran s p orta tionC oord in a to r

H ea lth an dM ed ic a l

P eop le W ithS p ec ia l N eed s

M ass C areC oord in a to r

O n -S ite /A reaTeam L ead er

On-Site Team Functions

On-Site/Area Team Leader gathers information and requests for need and reports to the CERT Liaison personnel or appropriate agency contact.

Communications Coordinator plans for, maintains, and operates the available means of communications needed.

Information & Planning Coordinator documents Team activities and reports from Damage/Needs Assessment Teams.

– Damage/Needs Assessment Sector identifies, documents and reports damage to private property, and needs of citizens in that locale.

– Public Works Sector performs the same function with respect to public property and infrastructure. Reports status of streets regarding blockage or flooding, utilities, and infrastructure damage affecting the neighborhood.

– Resource Coordinator directs volunteers and other resources to areas of need.

– Voluntary Goods & Services Sector reports to Resource on the availability of manpower and supplies.

– Food & Water Sector monitors and reports to Resource on the status of available food and water.

Fire/Rescue/HazMat Coordinator evaluates and directs emergency actions within the capabilities of volunteers. Reports conditions that warrant professional response.

Law Enforcement and Security Coordinator evaluates and reports conditions that require Police action. Directs volunteers to help secure private property when appropriate.

Mass Care Coordinator documents and reports on the condition and needs of people on site. Evaluates and arranges for shelter for those in need.

– Transportation Sector identifies available transportation or need for same.– Health & Medical Sector establishes location for injured persons to be treated

and staged for possible transport. Directs medical volunteers. Reports on need for emergency medical assistance.

– People With Special Needs Sector identifies and evaluates status of those that are handicapped, non-ambulatory, needing prescription drugs or have medical conditions that could warrant medical attention within a short time.

Other CERT Applications

If you consider your jurisdiction’s demographics, you will be able to identify several specific audiences that deserve attention. While the basic program would require some modification to fit these different audiences, development would be relatively easy to accomplish once you have trained instructors. Programs that might need consideration are:

Where the Staff would be trained in CERT and assisted in the development of a Disaster Plan where needed.

– Elder Care Facilities– Business Owners– Hotel/Motel Industry

High-Rise Retirement Communities where the Staff and Residents could be trained.

– Scout Troops could be trained, through a modified CERT program, to respond and assist the elderly in the event of an approaching Hurricane. Their primary goal would be to obtain food, supplies or medicines for the elderly that would otherwise have difficulty getting these items.

– Schools, where teachers and staff are CERT trained and students are offered an Urban Survival form of training, similar to the Phoenix Plan.

Employees and their Families could be CERT trained and educated on the part they may play in the jurisdiction’s Disaster Plan. Critical employees would understand the options open to them for the safety of their families when they must report to work due to a disaster.

Get The Community Involvedto Help Support the Cost of the Program!

This is the type of program where every level of your local community can be a player.

Civic groups look for opportunities to participate in community projects.

Businesses want to be seen as involved “corporate citizens” of the area they do business.

Open a “Tax Deductible Account” for businesses to contribute to and give them the documentation they need to have the IRS recognize it as a tax free donation, while they are helping their community.

Consider charging $50.00 per student to pay for printing, postage, materials and instructors. This cost can be paid by tax dollars, but if the student gets it for free, they may not take their personal commitment as seriously as you will have to take your financial commitment.

A Team member appreciates having the proper equipment to work with in an emergency situation. Make an equipment bag, reflective vest, and hard hat available at an additional cost, or let local businesses sponsor the purchase of that equipment. The student should fill the bag with equipment and keep it in their personal vehicle for emergencies.

Since you are promoting this program on a community involvement basis, print Tee-shirts, patches, window stickers and other identifying items. Allow the student to purchase these items to show both his/her involvement, as well as their commitment to support the program cost.

Will CERT Training Make a Difference in Your Jurisdiction?

While your jurisdiction may be fortunate enough to have been spared from the hardships and challenges that other communities around the nation have faced; it is probably just a matter of time before you are tested by a major event.

A Potential Scenario

Hopefully you will never have to issue a report on how your citizens faired after a disaster; but if you did, you should expect that having CERT trained people would reflect some of the following responses.

Upon being notified by authorities of the impending danger of the approaching hurricane CERT members began taking inventory of their neighborhoods; who is home, who isn’t, what residents have special needs or have to make special preparations, who has equipment that will be useful after the fact.

After the storm CERT team leaders were able to organize volunteers to help assess the status of neighbors in a very short period of time and authorities were able to determine the need for emergency resources much quicker than normal.

Those neighbors with Special Needs were quickly assessed after the storm.– Trained citizens were able to locate injured residents, render first aid and where

necessary move them to a safe area for further treatment.– Tornadic winds caused heavy damage in some areas where CERT members were

required to extricate neighbors entrapped in collapsed structures.– CERT members identified and isolated areas of potential danger around downed

power lines, broken water mains, and flooded storm drains. All damaged homes using natural or LP gas were located and valves were turned off to prevent fire hazards.

– Team leaders were able to advise emergency operations personnel of the level of damage in their areas which allowed the Mayor to justify the need for a rapid response of State and Federal assistance.