nysemo version 1.0 sept. 2003 community emergency response team cert launching a cert program
TRANSCRIPT
NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003
Launching a CERT – 5 Components
1. Define Program Goals
2. Identify Resources
3. Market the Program
4. Deliver the Training
5. Plan for Program Maintenance
NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003
1. Define Program Goals
Effective Disaster Response Teams?
Better Community Preparedness?
Support for Other Public Safety Efforts?
Enhanced Public Relations?
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Effective Disaster Response Teams
Individual disaster responder skills
Team organization
Linkage with professional responders
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Linkage with Professional Responders
When deployed, CERTs must be able to function on their own
CERT operations also need to be linked with other responders
Means and degree of linkage between CERTs and other responders depend on nature of the event
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Better Community Preparedness
CERT participants maintain high level of home and workplace preparedness
Participants are more informed about risks and vulnerabilities
Participants are already committed to safety and well-being of their neighbors
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Support Other Public Safety Efforts
Installing smoke detectors, providing safety standby at community events, etc.
Benefits the community-at-largeBenefits the CERTsBenefits the program (“value-added
volunteers”)
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What Do We Need to Get Started?
Course material and training props
Support for the conceptProgram CoordinatorTrainersProgram forms and flyer Info management tool
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Course Material and Props
NYS CERT CD with IG, PM, PPT, etc. for printing manuals and presentations
Internet sites (NYSEMO, FEMA, other CERT programs)
Local emergency management officesAmerican Red Cross (video, pamphlets,
specialty training)Local utilities (info pamphlets, props)
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Support for the Concept
“It’s a real resource!” vs. “It’s a new program!”
Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”
Always keep elected officials in the loop
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Program Coordinator
Program development– Link between CERTs and professional
responders– Expanding role and responsibilities of CERTs– Continuing education for program participants
Funding and budgetingEducating the department and jurisdictionPublicity and networking
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Program Coordinator
Also responsible for program administration– Handle public inquiries about program– Process registrations– Maintain records (financial, inventory,
database of CERT members, etc.)– Schedule basic training courses, follow-up
training, special events, etc.– Coordinate newsletter and other mailings
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Program Coordinator
Also responsible for course management– Regular contact with current students– Recruit, train and schedule instructors– Maintain consistent and up-to-date content– Set up classrooms– Provide orientation at beginning of new
course
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Program Forms and Info Material
Recruitment flyer or brochure (w/ mailer)Registration formCourse confirmation letterLiability waiver formClass sign-in rosterCertificate of CompletionCourse evaluation form
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Info Management ToolCollect and organize info on each program
participant as soon as you start the training– Contact information– Team– Classes completed / year of completion– Continuing ed training completed– Other, e.g., ham operator, CERT leader?
Consider building a database to facilitate mailings, contact lists, etc.
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First Responders as CERT Trainers
ADVANTAGES 1st response
experience Training experience Quality control Reliability Set schedules
CHALLENGES Uncertainty about
CERTs Training experience Cost
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Bottom Line on Resources
Staffing (coordinator and trainers) will drive the cost per student
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3. Market the Program
Reaching the Community
Maintaining the Political Support
Pitching to the Media
Pitching to Your Organization
Getting Corporate Support
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Reaching the Community
Defining “The Community”
Defining Citizen Roles
Working with Ready-Made
Partners
Effective Community Outreach
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“The Community” Sees Itself
Geographic Communities
Ethnic Communities
Businesses
Schools
Communities of Faith
Communities of Interest
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“The Community” Seen by Govt.
Taxpayers
Voters
Advocates
Victims
Customers
Partners
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“Customer Opinion” about Emergencies
It’s not going to happen to me.
It’s not going to be that bad.
There’s nothing I can do.
Government will do it.
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The Partner
n. A person associated with another or others in some activity of common interest. Synonyms: partner, colleague, ally, confederate, accomplice. These all denote one who cooperates in a venture, occupation, or challenge.
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Examples of Ready-Made Partners
Homeowner AssociationsNeighborhood AssociationsChurch Groups Business District AssociationsGrange AssociationsSchools/PTAsScouting OrganizationsRACES/Amateur Radio
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Basic Outreach to Citizens
Regular meetings of established groups
Mailers to membership listsArticles in community newslettersCommunity eventsPrint media and TV
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Tips for Effective Outreach
Explain the problem, then offer the solution
Clarify processes and expectations up front
Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”
Identify special audiences that need to know CERT training is available
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Maintaining Political Support
Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”
Demonstrate numbers of citizens visibly Invite direct involvement of elected officials,
agency head, their executive staff
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Pitching to the Media
Give the media action involving citizens + disasters
Publicize photo opportunities and “hands-on” aspect of training
Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”
Be prepared for the results of media coverage
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Pitching to Your Organization
Convince them of the problem, then offer the solution
Clarify program goals and expectations up front
Describe CERT training and protocols in agency terms
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Getting Corporate Support
Talk business to business
Emphasize potential employee
involvement
Feature enhanced community
preparedness
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Getting Corporate Support
Spell out exactly what you want
Present a complete plan– Goals and objectives– Respective roles of all partners– Measurable timeline– Evaluation process
End result must be tangible
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4. Deliver the Training
Allow plenty of lead time –
Planning!!
Pilot course is most important
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The Program Pilot
Test the CERT curriculum
Test delivery of training
Collect feedback
Assess results
Make revisions if needed
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The Program Pilot
Select and target “test communities”
Conduct real-life version of the training
Conduct a fearless debriefing
Seek an outsider to assess the results
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The Program Pilot
Debriefing and assessing the results:
What prompted the participants to enroll?How did they find out about the training?Their satisfaction with program length?Their satisfaction with program intensity?
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The Program Pilot
Debriefing and assessing the results (cont.):
Topics to be expanded, compressed, added?
Effectiveness of instructional techniques?Effectiveness of instructional materials?Convenience of schedule and location(s)?Ways to sustain their interest?
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5. Plan for Program Maintenance
Comprehensive program maintenance
Examples of maintenance successes
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Volunteer Retention
Commitment to the community
Commitment to ongoing training
Commitment to building the team
A partnership in the program
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Rescuer Skills
Maintain a range of basic response skills
Enhance current skills
Learn new skills
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Program Administration
Manage information and data
Maintain and expand budget
Maintain and expand corps of
trainers
Evaluate program
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External Program Support
Professional responders
Community-based organizations
City Hall
Business community
Corporate donors
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Maintenance Successes
Real-Life Activation of TeamsRefresher/Advanced ClassesTechnical Assistance to TeamsProgram Newsletter
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More Maintenance Successes
Citywide ExercisesNeighborhood Exercise SwapsAcknowledgment EventsExpanded CERT Activities
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Sample Expanded Activities
CERT “Smoke Detector Squad”Coordination and staffing at safety fairsFundraising partnerships Management of CERT programFirst aid stations at neighborhood eventsDisaster Preparedness Speakers’ BureauSimulators in Fire Department exercises
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Expanded CERT Activities
Maintain individuals’ skillsSupport individuals’ commitmentMaintain team cohesionBuild partnership with professionalsBuild political supportCapitalize on initial investment