Visual 6.1 Unit 6 – CERT Organization

Visual 6.2 CERT Organization Objectives  Describe the CERT organization.  Identify how CERTs interrelate with ICS.  Explain documentation requirements.

Visual 6.3 Purpose of On-Scene Management  Maintains safety of disaster workers.  Provides clear leadership and organizational structure.  Improves effectiveness of rescue efforts.

Visual 6.4 Need for CERT Organization  Common terminology that contributes to effective communication and shared understanding.  Effective communication among team members.  A well-defined management structure.  Accountability.

Visual 6.5 Objectives of CERT Organization  Identify the scope of the incident  What is the problem?  Determine an overall strategy  What can we do & how will we do it?  Deploy teams and resources  Who is going to do what?  Document actions and results  “if it is not written down, it did not happen”  If you want more $, show me results”

Visual 6.6 Span of Control  The number of people 1 person can effectively handle. The average range is 3-7 people with 5 being the optimum choice.

Visual 6.7 Basic ICS Structure Incident Commander Operations Section Chief Logistics Section Chief Planning Section Chief Administration Section Chief

Visual 6.8 Branches of ICS Structure  Operations – develops tactical objectives and conducts tactical operations to carry out the plan.  Logistics – manages resources, services and supplies.  Service & Support Units  Planning – prepares the IAP to meet incident objectives. Collects and compiles documentation.  Situation & Status Units  Administration (Finance) – monitors costs, provides accounting, time recording and cost analysis.

Visual 6.9 CERT Command Structure Operations Section Chief Fire Suppression Group Leader Search and Rescue Group Leader Medical Group Leader Fire Suppression Team A Fire Suppression Team B Fire Suppression Team C Staging Area S & R Team A S & R Team B S & R Team C Triage Team Treatment Team Morgue Team

Visual 6.10 CERT Mobilization  Each community is responsible to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for CERT mobilization.  First of all: family is first, then neighbors.  The first arriving CERT member at a designated staging area becomes the initial IC.  The IC will prioritize actions on gathered intelligence from arriving CERT members

Visual 6.11 CERT Decision-making to Search  Heavy damage = No rescue  Moderate damage = Minimize rescuers and time in building  Light damage = Locate, triage, treat, and prioritize victim removal

Visual 6.12 Team Tasks Based On Damage Levels

Visual 6.13 Rescuer Safety  “Risk a lot, to save a lot. Risk little, to save a little”

Visual 6.14 Responsibilities for Documentation  Provide command post with ongoing information.  Document incident status (SITSTAT).  Incident locations  Access routes  Identified hazards  Support locations

Visual 6.15 Damage Assessment Survey  This form is completed by CERT Leaders and provides a summary of overall hazards in selected areas. It is used for prioritizing and formulating action plans.

Visual 6.16 Personnel Resources  This form is completed by the Section Chiefs and is used for: 1. Tracking Personnel assigned to a group. 2. Monitoring group accountability.

Visual 6.17 Equipment Resources  This form is used by Logistics & Staging Area personnel to track resources loaned to CERT members.  If an item is returned empty, add it back in and circle the number, so you don’t include it in your next total.

Visual 6.18 Incident Briefing  This form helps CERT Team Leaders record known information about the site, including hazards and actions.

Visual 6.19 Message Form  This form is used for sending messages between command levels and groups.

Visual 6.20 Incident Status Record  This form is used by the command post for keeping abreast of situation status. It contains essential information for tracking the overall situation.

Visual 6.21 Victim Treatment Record  This form is used to document each person brought into the treatment area.

Visual 6.22 The End