1. Emergency Services Volunteers
Neighborhood CERT Formation
Meeting: 3/11/12
Preparing Our Community
Working Together
Presented by:
Kenneth Dueker, J.D.
Director of Emergency Services
Rev. 3/4/2012 K. Dueker

2. If you missed the Feb. 4 presentation or you have questions about the new Emergency Services Volunteers (ESV) structure or the Block Preparedness Coordinator Program, please go to:
Also posted there is a link to the ESV calendar, which includes these events:
3/24, 1-3pm: Neighborhood Drill: NPCs/BPCs & NH CERT
4/14: 10am-1pm: BPC 3-Hour Certification Class [NH CERTs encouraged to attend]
4/21: 10am-1pm: Incident Command System for NPCs and NH CERT GLs
4/26: 7-9pm: Quarterly NPC mtg. [NH CERT GLs encouraged to attend]

3. What OES Needs Volunteers to Do
Self-Care: Prepare the population to be resilient (best done before the disaster). Promote neighbors-helping- neighbors and community-building (information sharing, social). Provide neighborhoods with their own, local resources.
Eyes and Ears: Incident reporting & Damage Assessment. We need data in the EOC via communications technology and skilled volunteers.
Additional Essential Functions: Security (Neighborhood Watch), Search & Rescue, Medical Triage, Fire Suppression, Mass Care (Shelters, Human Services), assisting certain City departments with field and fixed-location assignments.
There are roles for volunteers in all phases of emergency management …

4. Emergency Services Volunteers (Unified Command)
Today’s meeting.
(M)EOC
Team Leader (TL)
Structure
ESV DOC
Vol. Division Op. Center
Logistics
Cubberley D-4; Trailers; Supplies
Each Neighborhood
Neighborhood Prep. Coordinators
IC/POC for each neighborhood
Citywide CERTs
Field & Specialized Teams
Citywide ARES/RACES
Comms (Ham Radio)
Net Control Unit
(M)EOC, ESV DOC
Field CERTs
Response Pool
Neighborhood CERTs
Report to NPC (Neighborhood Responders)
Group Leader
Field Supervisor
Citywide RADO
Support Field CERTs, NPCs
Medical Group
Set up triage sites; PODs
MACS
Santa Clara Co. Mutual Aid
Public Works & Flood/Storm Group
Special Training; Assist PW
Block Prep. Coordinators
Report to NPC (Eyes & Ears): Key Roles: Damage Assessment; Neighborhood Watch
Example: You can be a ham operator and part of a NH team, rather than ARES/RACES. We want you to let OES know your preference.
Shelter Group
Support CSD, Red Cross
Action Item: Identify your Primary Team Affiliation.
Today is to kick-off NH Teams (meet your NPC). If you are interested in Citywide CERT or ARES/RACES, please

5. Emergency Services Volunteer
New Emergency Services Volunteer ID Card (NIMS Typing, Credentialing)
Emergency Services Volunteer
Sidney
ESPINOSA
Expires: 12/18/2014
Issued by and property of the City of Palo Alto:
Obverse
Classifications/Certifications:
Shelter, Human Svcs.
Medical
EOC Authorized
Animal Services
Logistics
Neighborhood Watch
Bldg. Assessment
Drive City Vehicles
ARES/RACES/ACS (Comms)
CERT
Block Prep. Coordinator (BPC, NPC)
Public Works; Flood/Storm
Traffic Control
Disaster Service Worker (DSW)
Background Check
If found, please return to Palo Alto OES: 275 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301
This may change if 1) we go to a regional (North County) card and 2) when CA Disaster Corps eventually goes online:

6. Trailers = Logistics Hubs
New CERT Field Teams
Medical (MRC): Establish triage sites; PODs
Shelter & Human Services: Work with Community Services Dept. & Red Cross
Public Works & Flood/Storm:
Deployable City-Wide
Assists Public Works
Special Training
We will also look at other specialized teams/roles.
Trailers = Logistics Hubs
“Districts” are replaced with the above. Former “District IC” is now Logistics. Logistics will support Field Teams and Neighborhood CERTs w/ Trailer Team and new decentralized supplies (neighborhood caches, arks, etc.). Cubberley D-4 = Logistics Center.

7. Restructuring Concept: Neighborhood-Centric Structure
Clarify Roles and Functions
Neighborhood Preparedness Coordinators (NPC): Neighborhood Command Post; comms with EOC via MURS (or ham)
Block Preparedness Coordinators (BPC): Damage Assessment; Security (Neighborhood Watch); FRS radio to NPC
Neighborhood CERT: Local responder teams (stay local): Muster in neighborhood (can be released); FRS radio to NPC
This is a best practice adopted by Mountain View & many other jurisdictions:

8. NH CERT Chain of Command
Palo Alto City
(Mobile) Emergency Operations Center ((M)EOC)
On-Scene
Public Safety Official
Neighborhood Preparedness Coordinator
= NH IC
NH CERTs follow NPC direction in “peace time role” of preparation & mitigation.
Block Preparedness Coordinators
Group Leader (GL)
Neighborhood CERTs

9. Communications Links Palo Alto City
(Mobile) Emergency Operations Center ((M)EOC)
ESV DOC (if not established, NPCs, etc. go direct to EOC)
ARES/RACES Ham Radio
CERT Field Teams
MURS Radio
Neighborhood Preparedness Coordinator
FRS/GMRS Radio
FRS/GMRS Radio
Block Preparedness Coordinators
Group Leader (GL)
Neighborhood CERTs

10. NH CERT Activation Procedures
There will be a new ESV Policy Manual … For now, here’s the plan:
Alert (or “Heads Up”)
From your NPC:
Monitor your NH FRS Channel or follow NPC’s instructions.
From the City (AlertSCC): Follow instructions.
Other sources (EAS, etc.): Follow instructions; contact your NPC.
Activation (incl. self-notifying events)
Check in with NPC on FRS or in person. If you cannot reach NPC, contact your GL.
Before deploying: Make sure your home and family, etc. are safe.
Don/bring appropriate gear (see next slide).
If you cannot reach GL or NPC, find closest BPC and/or NH CERT. EOC may send ham or other ESV to your NH, if no NPC.
Mobilization (Muster)
NH CERT works in teams of at least 3. If you have >3, advise NPC and either team up with a BPC or await another assignment.
Assign a Group Leader (GL) who will 1) operate the FRS radio and 2) serve as the NH CERT field supervisor. One group call sign.
Do not exceed the scope of your CERT training and your personal skills and abilities.
Chain of Command: NPC is NH CERT IC. NH CERT GL is field supervisor (personnel accountability). ESVs must obey orders of OES and on scene police or fire officials.
Demobilization: Be sure to “check out” of the net. NPCs/GLs may do After Action Report for OES.
All ESVs should monitor KZSU 90.1 FM. Hams also monitor MHz, PL 100.

11. NH caches pending – trailers stay put.
NH CERT & BPC Equipment (Grab & Go Bag)
Water
Food / food bars
Medicine for yourself
Clipboard
NPC/BPC roster
Your street map
Resident names & contact info (BPCs)
Disaster Assessment forms
Radio channels for all neighborhoods
Note paper
_________________
Back Pack
Clothing & shoes, poncho
Vest & ID badge, whistle
Goggles; eye glasses
FRS radio, extra batteries
NOAA radio
Flashlight
Gloves
Small First Aid kit
Duct tape
Gas / Water shut off tool
Pens & Sharpie markers
Dust & hygiene masks
____________________
NH caches pending – trailers stay put.

12. All NPCs, BPCs & NH CERT members operate as Good Samaritans.
Convergent Volunteers a.k.a. Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers
Neighbors will want to help.
They can do so at “grass roots” level – see Good Samaritan laws.
The EOC may request some of them report and be “sworn in” as DSWs.
Lots of roles where formal registration not needed, such as assisting the NPC or GL as a radio operator, scribe, etc.
All NPCs, BPCs & NH CERT members operate as Good Samaritans.
If you are deployed outside your neighborhood (CERT, ARES/RACES), you need to be a DSW (or sworn in as an SUV, essentially). Also, a police officer can direct you, but that is a separate law (posse).

13. Break Out Session: Meet your NPCs
Foothills;
Los Trancos