Transcript September 11, 2001 Lessons Learned

CERT ORGANIZATION
CERT Organization
 Describe the CERT organization.
 Identify how CERTs interrelate with ICS.
 Explain documentation requirements.
CERT Concept
 Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) are



formed by members of a neighborhood or workplace who
want to better prepare for the hazards that threaten their
communities.
The use of CERTs has grown from the original concept of
involving community members in earthquake response
operations to a program with merit for all communities and
all disasters.
CERT allows community members to become active
participants in learning about their hazards and preparing
for them.
After training, CERT members augment emergency
services capabilities, when called upon, by learning skills
that they can apply following a disaster.
CERTs Role
 Agencies like Fire, Police, Public Works, and Emergency

Medical work to provide immediate response in disasters.
However, during disasters, these organizations may not be
able to meet immediate needs because of demands and
disrupted communication and transportation systems. It is
possible that following a disaster, CERTs may respond to
immediate needs in their neighborhoods or workplaces.
Key Points:
 Disasters are unexpected, overwhelming, and
dangerous.
 CERT teams operating in their areas can extend the
capabilities of response organizations to minimize
damage to life and property.
CERTs Role
 Disaster Response
 CERTs
respond in the period immediately
following a disaster. CERT members are
trained to perform many immediate response
functions when professional responders are
delayed.
 After professional responders arrive, CERTs may
assist them with critical support activities.
Purpose of On-Scene Management
 MAINTAIN SAFETY OF DISASTER WORKERS
FIRST AND FOREMOST!
 Provide clear leadership and organizational
structure.
 Improve effectiveness of rescue efforts.
Need for CERT Organization
Provides:
 Common terminology that contributes to effective
communication and shared understanding.
 Effective communication among team members.
 A well-defined management structure.
 Accountability.
Objectives of CERT Organization
 Identify the scope of the incident
 Determines an overall strategy
 Deploys resources
 Documents actions and results
CERT and the ICS
Basic ICS Structure
Incident
Commander
Operations
Section Chief
Logistics
Section Chief
Planning
Section Chief
Administration
Section Chief
CERT Structure
CERT Command Structure
Operations
Section Chief
Fire Suppression
Group Leader
Search and Rescue
Group Leader
Medical
Group Leader
Fire Suppression
Team A
S&R
Team A
Triage
Team
Fire Suppression
Team B
S&R
Team B
Treatment
Team
Fire Suppression
Team C
S&R
Team C
Morgue
Team
Staging Area
CERT Decisionmaking
 Heavy damage = No rescue
 Moderate damage = Minimize rescuers and time
in building
 Light damage = Locate, triage, treat, and prioritize
victim removal
Responsibilities for Documentation
 Provide command post with ongoing information.
 Document incident status.
 Incident
locations
 Access routes
 Identified hazards
 Support locations