What is CERT Community Emergency Response Team Tornado

What is CERT?

Community Emergency Response Team Tornado, Adairsville, GA January 30, 2013

CERT ● Funded in part by FEMA ● Part of US Citizens Corps, the President’s Call to Service ● Implemented at the county level ● ALL VOLUNTEERS ● Cobb Co. has largest number of CERT members in GA ● Most metro Atlanta counties have CERT programs

CERT Disaster Response ● Respond after a ● Respond in period disaster: immediately after a disaster § Locate and turn off ● Assist emergency response utilities, if safe personnel when requested § Extinguish small fires ● Serve as bridge for first § Treat injuries responders § Conduct light search ● CERT members’ first and rescue responsibility is personal § Help to relieve survivor and family safety stress § Provide info to ER personnel

Who can become a CERT member? ● Age 16 or older ● Pass a criminal background check ● Must live, work, or worship in the county in which training takes place

Who does become a CERT member? Cobb Co. CERT graduation, Feb. 2013

CERT Guiding Principles ● Personal safety is priority #1 ● CERT members almost always work in TEAMS ● CERT teams try to “do the greatest good for the greatest possible number of people. ”

CERT Training ● All training must be completed to receive certification ● 21 hours total classroom instruction including simulation ● 2 online courses from FEMA § ICS-100 v. Intro. Incident Command System § IS-700 v. National Incident Management System Training is at no cost to volunteers

What do CERT volunteers learn? ● Home and workplace safety and preparedness ● Disaster medical operations including first aid and triage

What do CERT volunteers learn? ● Light search and rescue ● Fire safety and suppression ● Disaster psychology ● Team organization ● Terrorism awareness

CERT Equipment ● Helmet ● Goggles ● N 95 Mask ● Gloves (work and non-latex) ● Multipurpose tool ● First aid kit ● Vest

Continuing Education for CERTs ● Monthly meetings ● Specialized workshops… § § § NWS Storm Spotter Search and Rescue Animal Issues in Disasters Special Needs Concerns Community Relations Donations Management

Why become involved? ● For your own personal safety and awareness ● To be of service to your community, campus, etc. ● To meet great people and be part of a team ● Multiple ways to participate § Personal only § Behind the scenes § In the field

KSU Crisis Coordinators ● Intro to Crisis Mgt. Responsibilities ● Emergency Operations ● Terrorism and Incident Awareness § Includes Active Shooter ● Life Safety § Includes CPR and Use of AED Machines ● FEMA ICS-100 (online) ● Next ALL DAY training is March 1

For more info ● KSU Crisis Coordinator Initiative (CCI) § http: //www. kennesaw. edu/sss/training/CERT. html ● CERT § http: //www. citizencorps. gov/cert/about. shtm

Thank you for learning more about CERT Team building exercise, 5 people, a package of plain paper, a roll of masking tape, and fifteen minutes