Unit 2: CERT Organization

Unit 2: CERT Organization• History of CERT• CERT in Marin County• Incident Command System – CERT• Team Organization• Size-Up Process• Communications

CERT OrganizationHistory of CERT

National History of CERT 1985 – The idea to train volunteers from the community to assist

emergency service personnel during large natural disasters began 1986 - The City of Los Angeles Fire Department developed a pilot

program to train a group of leaders in a neighborhood watch organization

1987 - Following the Whittier Narrows earthquake the City of Los Angeles created the Disaster Preparedness Section

1993 - FEMA took the concept and made program available to communities nationwide

2002 - CERT became part of the Citizen Corps As of 2004, 50 states, three territories and six foreign countries are

using the CERT training

CERT OrganizationHistory of CERT

S. F. Earthquake 1906

CERT OrganizationHistory of CERT

S. F. Earthquake 1906

CERT OrganizationHistory of CERT

Loma Pr ieta 1989

CERT OrganizationHistory of CERT

7.1 (6.9) / 15 Seconds

CERT OrganizationCERT in Marin County

Landsl ide 1998

CERT OrganizationCERT in Marin County

San Anselmo F loods 2005

CERT OrganizationCERT in Marin County

Wild Fire

CERT OrganizationCERT in Marin County

Since the mid-1990s Marin has implemented CERT training in the county

Six independent CERT programs were offered throughout the county

As of 2011 a new and enhanced countywide Marin County CERT program is implemented

The training is available in five training zones: Southern Marin, Central Marin, San Rafael, Novato and West Marin

CERT OrganizationCERT in Marin County

Team oriented Neighborhood team leaders Refresher and advanced trainings

CERT OrganizationExercise

Exercise: Intro to CERT Organization

CERT OrganizationCERT in Action Video

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Objectives Identify the scope of the incident – What is

the problem? 1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act Determine an overall strategy – What can

we do, and how will we do it? 1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act

Deploy resources – Who is going to do what, with what?1. Think 2. Plan 3. Act

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

Incident Command System

*Remember to maintain

span of control

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

Scribe

- Trained- Untrained

- FT A- FT B

- SAR A- SAR B

- Medical- Food & Water

- Triage Team- MT 1- MT 2

- HAM Operators- Family Talk

- Runners

Incident Command System

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

Team Leader (Incident Commander)• Take charge• Big picture• Clear communicator• Non-tactical• Interface

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Does It Team(Operations Section)Do stuff

• Fire• SAR• Medical

Action orientedTactical

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Plans It Team(Planning Section)• Quick thinkers• What to do now• What to do in future• Plans for unexpected• Drives “Does It” &

“Gets It”

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

CERT OrganizationIncident Command System-CERT

Gets It Team(Logistics Section)• Gathering resources-

all types• Well organized• Creative• Supplies for victims

and teams

Team Leader(Incident Commander)

“Plans It”(Planning)

“Gets It”(Logistics)

“Does It”(Operations)

Disaster Medical Team

Fire Team

Search & Rescue Team

Volunteer Management

Resources

Communications

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

CERT Functions Size-up. Conduct light search and rescue. If necessary, locate and turn off utilities. Extinguish small fires. Triage and treat injuries. Gather resources. Comfort.

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

CERT Organization Based on Incident Command System (ICS). Necessary for structured and organized

approach. Helps to organize people and resources. Can work for those not CERT trained.

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

Provides: Common goals. Organized command

structure. Manageable span of control. Integrated communication. Common Terminology. Standardization between all

CERT members.

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

Effective Organizational Elements Goals

• Common, shared, and attainable. Team

• One leader, group effort, and accountability. Communications

• Clear, understood, and structured. Resources

• Realistic, identified, and tracked.

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

CERT Mobilization1. Take care of yourself, family and neighbors2. Proceed to the staging area with disaster

supplies3. Designation of leader, operations, planning

and logistics

CERT OrganizationSize-Up Process

Size-Up1. Gather facts.2. Assess the scene.3. Identify your resources.4. Establish your priorities.5. Develop a plan.6. Conduct operations.7. Evaluate your progress.

CERT OrganizationCERT Communications

Communications How will you communicate within your team and with others?

Will you communicate with runners? Family-talk radios? Amateur radio operators? How will you communicate with government officials when

they arrive?

CERT OrganizationExercise

Exercise: ICS Functions Fun

CERT OrganizationReview

CERT Organization Review• Take care of yourself, family, neighbors.• Proceed to staging area w/supplies.• First members arriving organize the team and leader.• Gather and prioritize information.• Assign people based on capabilities.• Maintain span of control.• Prioritize actions and create a plan.• Continually evaluate.• Communications.• Documentation.