NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Community Emergency Response Team CERT Launching a CERT Program

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Launching a CERT – 5 Components  Define Program Goals  Identify Resources  Market the Program  Deliver the Training  Plan for Program Maintenance

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Define Program Goals Effective Disaster Response Teams? Better Community Preparedness? Support for Other Public Safety Efforts? Enhanced Public Relations?

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Effective Disaster Response Teams Individual disaster responder skills Team organization Linkage with professional responders

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Linkage with Professional Responders  When deployed, CERTs must be able to function on their own  CERT operations also need to be linked with other responders  Means and degree of linkage between CERTs and other responders depend on nature of the event

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Better Community Preparedness  CERT participants maintain high level of home and workplace preparedness  Participants are more informed about risks and vulnerabilities  Participants are already committed to safety and well-being of their neighbors

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Support Other Public Safety Efforts  Installing smoke detectors, providing safety standby at community events, etc.  Benefits the community-at-large  Benefits the CERTs  Benefits the program (“value-added volunteers”)

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Identify Resources  What will we need?  Where will we get it?

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept What Do We Need to Get Started?  Course material and training props  Support for the concept  Program Coordinator  Trainers  Program forms and flyer  Info management tool

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Course Material and Props  NYS CERT CD with IG, PM, PPT, etc. for printing manuals and presentations  Internet sites (NYSEMO, FEMA, other CERT programs)  Local emergency management offices  American Red Cross (video, pamphlets, specialty training)  Local utilities (info pamphlets, props)

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Support for the Concept  “It’s a real resource!” vs. “It’s a new program!”  Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”  Always keep elected officials in the loop

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Program Coordinator  Program development –Link between CERTs and professional responders –Expanding role and responsibilities of CERTs –Continuing education for program participants  Funding and budgeting  Educating the department and jurisdiction  Publicity and networking

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Program Coordinator  Also responsible for program administration –Handle public inquiries about program –Process registrations –Maintain records (financial, inventory, database of CERT members, etc.) –Schedule basic training courses, follow-up training, special events, etc. –Coordinate newsletter and other mailings

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Program Coordinator  Also responsible for course management –Regular contact with current students –Recruit, train and schedule instructors –Maintain consistent and up-to-date content –Set up classrooms –Provide orientation at beginning of new course

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Program Forms and Info Material  Recruitment flyer or brochure (w/ mailer)  Registration form  Course confirmation letter  Liability waiver form  Class sign-in roster  Certificate of Completion  Course evaluation form

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Info Management Tool  Collect and organize info on each program participant as soon as you start the training –Contact information –Team –Classes completed / year of completion –Continuing ed training completed –Other, e.g., ham operator, CERT leader?  Consider building a database to facilitate mailings, contact lists, etc.

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept First Responders as CERT Trainers ADVANTAGES  1st response experience  Training experience  Quality control  Reliability  Set schedules CHALLENGES  Uncertainty about CERTs  Training experience  Cost

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Bottom Line on Resources  Staffing (coordinator and trainers) will drive the cost per student

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Market the Program  Reaching the Community  Maintaining the Political Support  Pitching to the Media  Pitching to Your Organization  Getting Corporate Support

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Reaching the Community  Defining “The Community”  Defining Citizen Roles  Working with Ready-Made Partners  Effective Community Outreach

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept “The Community” Sees Itself  Geographic Communities  Ethnic Communities  Businesses  Schools  Communities of Faith  Communities of Interest

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept “The Community” Seen by Govt.  Taxpayers  Voters  Advocates  Victims  Customers  Partners

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept “Customer Opinion” about Emergencies  It’s not going to happen to me.  It’s not going to be that bad.  There’s nothing I can do.  Government will do it.

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept The Partner n. A person associated with another or others in some activity of common interest. Synonyms: partner, colleague, ally, confederate, accomplice. These all denote one who cooperates in a venture, occupation, or challenge.

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Examples of Ready-Made Partners  Homeowner Associations  Neighborhood Associations  Church Groups  Business District Associations  Grange Associations  Schools/PTAs  Scouting Organizations  RACES/Amateur Radio

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Basic Outreach to Citizens  Regular meetings of established groups  Mailers to membership lists  Articles in community newsletters  Community events  Print media and TV

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Tips for Effective Outreach  Explain the problem, then offer the solution  Clarify processes and expectations up front  Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”  Identify special audiences that need to know CERT training is available

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Maintaining Political Support  Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”  Demonstrate numbers of citizens visibly  Invite direct involvement of elected officials, agency head, their executive staff

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Pitching to the Media  Give the media action involving citizens + disasters  Publicize photo opportunities and “hands- on” aspect of training  Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”  Be prepared for the results of media coverage

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Pitching to Your Organization  Convince them of the problem, then offer the solution  Clarify program goals and expectations up front  Describe CERT training and protocols in agency terms

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Getting Corporate Support  Talk business to business  Emphasize potential employee involvement  Feature enhanced community preparedness

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Getting Corporate Support  Spell out exactly what you want  Present a complete plan –Goals and objectives –Respective roles of all partners –Measurable timeline –Evaluation process  End result must be tangible

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Deliver the Training  Allow plenty of lead time – Planning!!  Pilot course is most important

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept The Program Pilot  Test the CERT curriculum  Test delivery of training  Collect feedback  Assess results  Make revisions if needed

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept The Program Pilot  Select and target “test communities”  Conduct real-life version of the training  Conduct a fearless debriefing  Seek an outsider to assess the results

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept The Program Pilot Debriefing and assessing the results:  What prompted the participants to enroll?  How did they find out about the training?  Their satisfaction with program length?  Their satisfaction with program intensity?

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept The Program Pilot Debriefing and assessing the results (cont.):  Topics to be expanded, compressed, added?  Effectiveness of instructional techniques?  Effectiveness of instructional materials?  Convenience of schedule and location(s)?  Ways to sustain their interest?

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Plan for Program Maintenance  Comprehensive program maintenance  Examples of maintenance successes

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Volunteer Retention  Commitment to the community  Commitment to ongoing training  Commitment to building the team  A partnership in the program

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Rescuer Skills  Maintain a range of basic response skills  Enhance current skills  Learn new skills

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Program Administration  Manage information and data  Maintain and expand budget  Maintain and expand corps of trainers  Evaluate program

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept External Program Support  Professional responders  Community-based organizations  City Hall  Business community  Corporate donors

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Maintenance Successes  Real-Life Activation of Teams  Refresher/Advanced Classes  Technical Assistance to Teams  Program Newsletter

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept More Maintenance Successes  Citywide Exercises  Neighborhood Exercise Swaps  Acknowledgment Events  Expanded CERT Activities

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Sample Expanded Activities  CERT “Smoke Detector Squad”  Coordination and staffing at safety fairs  Fundraising partnerships  Management of CERT program  First aid stations at neighborhood events  Disaster Preparedness Speakers’ Bureau  Simulators in Fire Department exercises

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Expanded CERT Activities  Maintain individuals’ skills  Support individuals’ commitment  Maintain team cohesion  Build partnership with professionals  Build political support  Capitalize on initial investment

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept Unit Summary  Five critical steps to launch a CERT program 1. Define CERT Program Goals 2. Identify Resources 3. Market the Program 4. Deliver the Training 5. Develop a Maintenance Plan  Allow enough lead time  Be prepared for growth