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CERT volunteers help find a missing child in Riverside County

On October 11th, 2012, over 70 CERT volunteers joined in a search effort for a lost child in Riverside County. With the help of these volunteers, the child was successful located less than 14 hours after he was reported missing. This is a great example of the force multiplier that CERT volunteers can provide.

For more information about this great story click here:

How to Prepare

 

  • Ready San Diego
    • The Ready San Diego website has information on how to:
      • Make a Plan
      • Get an emergency preparedness kit
      • Stay Informed
      • Get involved

  • Ready San Diego Smart Phone App
    • This application provides you with the latest emergency news for San Diego County

Supplemental Training Modules Support the Expanding CERT Mission

The CERT National Program Office is also very pleased to announce publication of six new supplemental training modules, now available for download.  The supplemental modules will train CERT members in new skills and increase CERTs’ capacity to support local emergency services and public safety.  Local CERT program managers/coordinators should determine which of the modules will address local training needs.  We hope that all of the modules will be helpful.  The materials for each module are in Word format and PowerPoint, and can be tailored to fit local training needs.  Review the supplemental training modules on the Training Materials page of the National CERT website or at the links below and start planning for your next supplemental training  today.

CERT Emergency Communications  

 In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) the role of CERT in communications during an activation; 2) how to use a communications plan; 3) the use of different communication modes and strategies; and, 4) how to use communication devices.  https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6223

CERT Exercise Swaps

This module includes two four-hour units to train CERT teams to design and conduct exercises for each other.  CERT members will learn: 1)  FEMA exercise guidance and HSEEP concepts; 2) criteria for well-designed CERT exercises; 3) steps and documents used in designing and conducting an exercise; and, 4) challenges and smart practices for conducting a CERT exercise.  Participants will begin the exercise swap design process as part of the course work.  https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6361

CERT Firefighter Rehab

This four-hour module trains CERT members to safely set up and perform the non-medical functions of firefighter rehabilitation.  CERT members will learn:  1) the definition of and need for firefighter rehab; 2) the physiological threats to firefighters; 3) an overview of what happens at the scene of a fire; and, 4) how CERT members set up and what they do in the rehab area.  https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6360

Flood Response for CERTs

This four-hour module will train CERT members to: 1) relate CERT Basic Training skills to flood response; 2) identify a flood and the dangers of working around floodwaters; 3) work safely and efficiently with sandbags; and, 4) construct a sandbag barrier correctly.  https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6359

CERT Tools for Leadership Success

In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) how CERT Basic Training concepts relate to leadership; 2) the characteristics, skills and responsibilities of team leaders, and how leaders and team members interact; 3) different styles of leadership and how they apply to CERT situations; and, 4) examples of how CERT leaders run successful team operations.  https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6225

CERT Traffic and Crowd Management

 In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) how CERT Basic Training skills relate to crowd and traffic management; 2) effective communication strategies to direct traffic and crowds; 3) crowd management skills and how to put together a basic crowd management plan; and, 4) using traffic control devices to safely manage traffic in various situations and how to put together a basic traffic management plan.   https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6358

FEMA Announces its First Youth Preparedness Council

On July 23, 2012, FEMA announced the formation of its first Youth Preparedness Council. The Council supports FEMA’s emphasis on and dedication to involving the whole community in preparedness related activities. “Engaging youth is an integral step in preparing the nation for all hazards,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Youth have a unique ability to influence their peers and families to be more resilient, and children play an important role in disaster preparedness, during and after a crisis.”

More information can be found on the FEMA Website

FEMA CERT Liability Guide

A Risk Management Overview for Local CERT Programs

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program at FEMA has published the new CERT Liability Guide.

It is available for download on the Supplemental Information page of the National CERT website CERT Liability Guide (PDF).

CERT programs across the nation support post-disaster response and help ensure that CERT efforts are as safe and effective as possible.  CERT advocates have understood that program activities can create risk and adverse consequences; however, perceptions about liability may become a larger barrier to CERT formation, activities and partnerships than is justified by reality.  The purpose of this Guide is to offer information and suggested techniques to help local CERT programs overcome this barrier.  The audience includes local programs, their sponsoring government agencies and legal advisors, and CERT members themselves.

The new CERT Liability Guide presents the benefits of risk management for CERT programs, including building confidence and a positive public image for the program, reducing the cost of insurance and avoiding other costs, helping to preserve a local program’s investment in its members, and increasing overall participation in CERT.

The Guide also presents five steps to effective risk management for local CERT programs:

  1. Securing leadership support
  2. Collecting information to identify liability exposure
  3. Identifying and analyzing risks
  4. Adopting strategies to manage risk
  5. Adopting standard practices for ongoing risk management.

Specific activities and considerations are described under each of the five steps.
Local CERT programs that consistently follow the process described in the new Guide can benefit themselves, their sponsors, their members, and the community.

 


Newsletter 2012 – Q2

Newsletter 2012 – Q2 (PDF)

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