Why is

CERT

Needed?

Disasters can severely restrict and overwhelm emergency responders,

communications, transportation and utilities, leaving neighborhoods and individuals cut off from outside

emergency support.

Citizens want training to help them be proactive with their own safety.

CERT Goal A network of teams who are trained by emergency

service professionals that can be called upon during local emergency and disaster situations. Also, CERT members are a volunteer resource for non-emergency preparedness

projects.

In 95% of all emergencies,bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue

The Need to be Ready

A network of A network of proactive proactive citizenscitizens who are trained by who are trained by

emergency service emergency service professionals to respond to professionals to respond to

local disaster situationslocal disaster situations

Community Emergency Response Teams

Why CERT?Why CERT?• To tap into the American spirit of volunteerism• To create a partnership between community

members, emergency management, and response agencies

• To empower people to become part of the mitigation, preparedness, and response solution

• To train volunteer resources to improve community preparedness and response capability

CERT Background

Developed by LA City Fire Department in 1987 Department accepted limitations to provide

immediate help after a major eventCommunity volunteers seen as part of the

solution

Adopted by FEMA in 1993 as an all hazards community-based training program

Became part of President Bush’s Citizen Corps in 2002

Citizen Corps Programs

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates and trains citizens in basic disaster response skills

Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to provide support to fire and rescue departments

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program helps medical, public health, and other volunteers offer their expertise

Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers

Citizen Corps Mission

To have everyone in America participate in making themselves, our communities, and our nation

safer We all have a role in hometown security

a personal responsibility to be prepared;

to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and

to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

Community Benefits

• Greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control

• Builds community pride, unity and patriotism

• Promotes risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness practices

• Prepares us all for helping others in a crisis

Emergency Responder Benefits

• Year round support through volunteer programs • Reduces burden on first responder services by

promoting mitigation and preparedness measures • Creates well trained, better informed, and better

prepared citizens to take care of themselves and others during times of crisis -- allowing first responders to address the most critical needs

CERT Community ProcessCERT Community Process

Educate community members about hazards, vulnerabilities and professional response capabilities and limitations

Train participants in basic response skills

Promote CERT organization and growth

Keep teams involved through exercises, supplemental training and special projects

Community Emergency Community Emergency Response TeamsResponse Teams

Roles for CERT Members:Roles for CERT Members:

Prepare for a disaster

Respond to a disaster

Assist, when asked, with non-emergency situations

CERT Disaster Response ActivitiesAssisted in flooding in western NC in 2004

Assisted in Emergency Operations Centers

Checked on senior citizens without electricity

Assisted in American Red

Cross shelters

Emergency Emergency ResponseResponse

Community Emergency Response Teams

Turning off utilities wherever possible

Suppressing small fires

Treating life-threatening injuries

Conducting light search and rescue

Helping victims cope with their emotions

Respond By:

Sizing up the situation … then, if necessary …

CERTs DO NOT :

• Suppress large fires!

• Enter heavily damaged or dangerous structures!

• Perform hazardous materials clean-up!

• Perform beyond their level of training!

• Activate or deploy unless called for!

Day-to-Day ActivitiesDay-to-Day Activities Hand-out literature Provide and install

smoke detectors

Provide staffing for special events

EM volunteers Use your Use your

imaginationimagination

Preparedness Presentations

CERT Non-Disaster ActivitiesTraffic control for special events

Crowd control for special events

Preparedness education/outreach

Promote CERT; make presentations

Member of other Citizen

Corps Programs

CERT SessionsCERT Sessions Disaster Preparedness

Fire Suppression

Medical - 3 Killers, Triage, Head to Toe

Medical - Treatment, Medical Areas, Sanitation

Light Search and Rescue

Team Organization and Disaster Psychology

Terrorism Module

Final exercise

Continuing Education and Supplemental Training

CERT SessionsCERT Sessions

Basic course is 21 hours

Activity and exercise driven

Fun and hands-on

Win-win process

Continued involvement through supplemental training, exercises and projects

Continuing Education

Shelter Operations

Weather Spotter

Search and Rescue

CPR/AED

Damage Assessment

Traffic Control

Mass Care

Contact information:Patty Moore Program Manager, NC CERT919-825-2282patty.moore@ncdps.gov