440:. Generally, the first CERT team member arriving on the scene is the designated incident commander (IC) until the arrival of someone more competent. This person makes the IC initial assessment of the scene and determines the appropriate course of action for team members; assumes role of safety officer until assigned to another team member; assigns team member roles if not already assigned; designates triage area, treatment area, morgue, and vehicle traffic routes; coordinates and directs team operations; determines logistical needs (water, food, medical supplies, transportation, equipment, and so on) and determines ways to meet those needs through team members or citizen volunteers on the scene; collects and writes reports on the operation and victims; and communicates and coordinates with the incident commander, local authorities, and other CERT team leaders. The IC is identified by two pieces of crossed tape on the hard hat.
686:
386:
321:
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126:
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event unless told to do so by their team member or sponsoring agency (as specified in chapters 1 and 6 of the basic CERT training). An effort is made to report their response status to the sponsoring agency. A self-activated team will size up the loss in their neighborhood and begin performing the skills they have learned to minimize further loss of life, property, and environment. They will continue to respond safely until redirected or relieved by the sponsoring agency or professional responders on-scene.
640:
513:
505:
22:
485:. Work under the supervision of the team leader, providing medical treatment to victims within the scope of their training. This task is normally accomplished in the treatment area, however, it may take place in the affected area as well. When not accomplishing their primary mission, assist the fire suppression team as needed, assist the medical triage team as needed; other duties as assigned; communicate with the team leader.
446:. Checks team members prior to deployment to ensure they are safe and equipped for the operation; determines safe or unsafe working environments; ensures team accountability; supervises operations (when possible) where team members and victims are at direct physical risk, and alerts team members when unsafe conditions arise. Advises team members of any updates on the situation. Keeps tabs on the situation as it unfolds
458:. Work under the supervision of a team leader, searching for and providing rescue of victims as is prudent under the conditions, also bringing injured people to triage or the hospital for medical treatment ; when not accomplishing their primary mission, assist the fire suppression team, assist in the triage or treatment area as needed; other duties as assigned; communicate with team leader.
612:(2.5 hrs). Students take a written exam, then participate in a real-time practical disaster simulation where the different skill areas are put to the test. A critique follows the exercise where students and instructors have an opportunity to learn from mistakes and highlight exemplary actions. Students may be given a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the course.
452:. Work under the supervision of a team leader to suppress small fires in designated work areas or as needed; when not accomplishing their primary mission, assist the search and rescue team or triage team; assist in evacuation and transport as needed; assist in the triage or treatment area as needed, other duties as assigned; communicate with Team Leader.
520:
While state and local jurisdictions will implement training in the manner that best suits the community, FEMA's
National CERT Program has an established curriculum. Jurisdictions may augment the training, but are strongly encouraged to deliver the entire core content. The CERT core curriculum for the
358:
A team member may self-activate (self-deploy) when their own neighborhood is affected by disaster or when an incident takes place at their current location (ex. home, work, school, church, or if an accident occurred in front of them). They should not hear about an incident and drive or respond to an
658:
Each unit of CERT training is ideally delivered by professional responders or other experts in the field addressed by the unit. This is done to help build unity between CERT members and responders, keep the attention of students, and help the professional response organizations be comfortable with
468:
triage for victims found at the scene; marking victims with category of injury per the standard operating procedures; when not accomplishing their primary mission, assist the fire suppression team if needed, assist the search and rescue team if needed, assist in the medical triage area if needed,
280:
As people are trained and agree to join the community emergency response effort, a CERT is formed. Initial efforts may result in a team with only a few members from across the community. As the number of members grow, a single community-wide team may subdivide. Multiple CERTs are organized into a
666:
CERT training is provided free to interested members of the community, and is delivered in a group classroom setting. People may complete the training without obligation to join a CERT. Citizen corps grant funds can be used to print and provide each student with a printed manual. Some sponsoring
345:
Some sponsoring agencies use state and federal grants to purchase response tools and equipment for their members and teams (subject to
Stafford Act limitations). Most CERTs also acquire their own supplies, tools, and equipment. As community members, CERTs are aware of the specific needs of their
662:
Each course of instruction is ideally facilitated by one or more instructors certified in the CERT curriculum by the state or sponsoring agency. Facilitating instructors provide continuity between units, and help ensure that the CERT core curriculum is being delivered successfully. Facilitating
276:
agency, agrees to sponsor CERT within its jurisdiction. The sponsoring agency liaises with, deploys and may train or supervise the training of CERT members. Many sponsoring agencies employ a full-time community-service person as liaison to the CERT members. In some communities, the liaison is a
495:
Because every CERT member in a community receives the same core instruction, any team member has the training necessary to assume any of these roles. This is important during a disaster response because not all members of a regular team may be available to respond. Hasty teams may be formed by
401:
In the short term, CERTs perform data gathering, especially to locate mass-casualties requiring professional response, or situations requiring professional rescues, simple fire-fighting tasks (for example, small fires, turning off gas), light search and rescue, damage evaluation of structures,
354:
The basic idea is to use CERT to perform the large number of tasks needed in emergencies. This frees highly trained professional responders for more technical tasks. Much of CERT training concerns the ICS and organization, so CERT members fit easily into larger command structures.
316:
post, or the training can be added to a school's graduation curriculum. Some CERTs form a club or service corporation, and recruit volunteers to perform training on behalf of the sponsoring agency. This reduces the financial and human resource burden on the sponsoring agency.
393:
The sponsoring agency may activate and dispatch teams in order to gather or respond to intelligence about an incident. Teams may be dispatched to affected neighborhoods, or organized to support operations. CERT members may augment support staff at an ICS or
663:
instructors also perform set-up and tear-down of the classroom, provide instructional materials for the course, record student attendance and other tasks which assist the professional responder in delivering their unit as efficiently as possible.
678:, does not require a background check to take part in training classes, but requires members to undergo a background check in order to receive a CERT badge and directly assist first responders during an activation of the
398:. Additional teams may also be created to guard a morgue, locate supplies and food, convey messages to and from other CERTs and local authorities, and other duties on an as-needed basis as identified by the team leader.
578:(1.5 hrs). Students are introduced to several concepts from the ICS, and local team organization and communication is explained. Hands-on skills include a table-top exercise focusing on incident command and control.
667:
agencies use citizen corps grant funds to purchase disaster response tool kits. These kits are offered as an incentive to join a CERT, and must be returned to the sponsoring agency when members resign from CERT.
245:, which has a longer history. The CERT concept differs because it includes nonmilitary emergencies, and is coordinated with all levels of emergency authorities, local to national, via an overarching
528:(2.5 hrs). Topics include (in part) identifying local disaster threats, disaster impact, mitigation and preparedness concepts, and an overview of citizen corps and CERT. Hands on skills include
382:
radio, dedicated telephone or fire-alarm networks. In other areas, relays of bicycle-equipped runners can effectively carry messages between the teams and the local emergency operations center.
1132:
362:
Teams in neighborhoods not affected by disaster may be deployed or activated by the sponsoring agency. The sponsoring agency may communicate with neighborhood CERT leaders through an
860:
568:(2.5 hrs). Size-up is expanded as students learn about assessing structural damage, marking structures that have been searched, search techniques, as well as rescue techniques and
562:(2.5 hrs). Topics cover mass casualty operations, public health, assessing patients, and treating injuries. Students practice patient assessment, and various treatment techniques.
606:
weapons may have been deployed. Students learn about CERT roles in preparing for and responding to terrorist attacks. A table-top exercise highlights topics covered.
693:
The CERT curriculum (including the "Train-the-Trainer" and program manager courses) was updated in 2019 to reflect feedback from instructors across the nation.
207:'s National CERT Program, administered by a local sponsoring agency, which provides a standardized training and implementation framework to community members;
624:. However, many jurisdictions encourage or require CERT members to obtain CPR training. Many CERT programs provide or encourage members to take additional
496:
whichever members are responding at the time. Additionally, members may need to adjust team roles due to stress, fatigue, injury, or other circumstances.
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39:
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Some sponsoring agencies require a criminal background-check of all trainees before allowing them to participate on a CERT. For example, the city of
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to suppress a live flame, and wearing basic protective gear. Firefighting standpipes as well as unconventional firefighting methods are also covered.
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CERT training emphasizes safely "doing the most good for the most people as quickly as possible" when responding to a disaster. For this reason,
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65:
556:. Hands-on skills include performing head-tilt/chin-lift, practicing bleeding control techniques, and performing triage as an exercise.
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72:
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On
February 5, 2017, community emergency response team training in Berwyn Heights, Maryland, with two members putting out a fire
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320:
425:) registered, activated CERT members are eligible for worker's compensation for on-the-job injuries during declared disasters.
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The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that the standard, minimum ten-person team be comprised as follows:
214:
emergency workers who have received specific training in basic disaster response skills, and who agree to supplement existing
54:
828:
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410:. In the longer term, CERTs may assist in the evacuation of residents, or assist with setting up a neighborhood shelter.
204:
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In 2022, the CERT program moved under FEMA's community preparedness umbrella along with the Youth
Preparedness Council.
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552:(2.5 hrs). Students learn to identify and treat certain life-threatening conditions in a disaster setting, as well as
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identification, suppression options, and are introduced to the concept of size-up. Hands-on skills include using a
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until the ideal distribution is achieved: one or more teams are formed at each neighborhood within a community.
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308:), can be formed from any group of teens. A teen CERT can be formed as a school club, service organization,
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Programs who choose to participate must have CERT members complete a position task book every 2 years:
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Arlington
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) provided back-up support to the county's 911 system
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620:(CPR) training is not included in the core curriculum, as it is time- and responder-intensive in a
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While responding, CERT members are temporary volunteer government workers. In some areas, (such as
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operation, shelter operations, flood response, community relations, mass care, the ICS, and the
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682:. However, most programs do not require a criminal background check in order to participate.
572:. Hands-on activities include lifting and cribbing an object, and practicing rescue carries.
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8:
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assist in the treatment area if needed, other duties as assigned; communicate with IC.
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491:. Supervises designated tasks they are assigned to. Gives reports to dispatch and IC.
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basic course is composed of the following nine units (time is instructional hours):
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829:"A Community Emergency Response Team in the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department"
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In 2021 FEMA published
Position Qualification System standards for CERT programs:
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On
February 5, 2017, community emergency response team training while in gear
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674:, requires all volunteers to pass a background check, while the city of
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An equipment trailer belonging to the
Springfield, Illinois CERT program
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538:(2.5 hrs). Students learn about fire chemistry, mitigation practices,
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provide first-aid, crowd control or other services at community events
893:. City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
890:
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may choose targets, what weapons they may use, and identifying when
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21:
1113:
CERT Training
Materials (Program Manager, Trainer, Participant,...)
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Sometimes programs and organizations take different names, such as
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When not responding to disasters or large emergencies, CERTs may:
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training. Some CERT members may also take training to become a
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communication team. In some areas the communications may be by
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raise funds for emergency response equipment in their community
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CERT volunteers during the classroom portion of their training
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chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive
464:. Work under the supervision of a team leader, providing
748:
based non-governmental organization modeled after CERT.
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conduct or participate in disaster response exercises
324:
A CERT volunteer practices using a fire extinguisher
46:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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241:The concept of civilian auxiliaries is similar to
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338:hold planning, training, or recruitment meetings
188:www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams
285:principles. This follows the ICS principle of
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610:Unit 9: Course review and disaster simulation
130:Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) logo
647:Many CERT programs also provide training in
346:community and equip the teams accordingly.
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1126:
834:. U.S. Fire Administration. Archived from
566:Unit 5: Light search and rescue operations
560:Unit 4: Disaster medical operations part 2
550:Unit 3: Disaster medical operations part 1
124:
1210:Emergency management in the United States
777:"Teen CERT: Disaster Teen Training Guide"
659:the training which CERT members receive.
106:Learn how and when to remove this message
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197:Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
742:Disaster Preparedness and Response Team
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532:exercises, and shutting off utilities.
389:CERT volunteers try on their equipment
294:teen community emergency response team
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456:Search and rescue team/extraction (2)
961:"View Position Qualification - RTLT"
937:"View Position Qualification - RTLT"
913:"View Position Qualification - RTLT"
865:City of Albuquerque Official Website
224:neighborhood emergency response team
44:adding citations to reliable sources
15:
1215:Federal Emergency Management Agency
1177:National Neighborhood Watch Program
861:"Community Emergency Response Team"
826:
653:National Incident Management System
462:Medical triage team/field medic (2)
281:hierarchy of teams consistent with
55:"Community emergency response team"
13:
752:Local Emergency Planning Committee
697:FEMA Position Qualification System
14:
1226:
1161:Community Emergency Response Team
1101:
218:in the event of a major disaster.
119:Community Emergency Response Team
1081:"View Position Task Book - RTLT"
1057:"View Position Task Book - RTLT"
1033:"View Position Task Book - RTLT"
1009:"View Position Task Book - RTLT"
985:"View Position Task Book - RTLT"
711:FEMA CERT team leader (Type 2/1)
450:Fire suppression team (2 people)
20:
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806:"Standing Operating Procedures"
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302:student emergency response team
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31:needs additional citations for
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808:. The Woodlands CERT Committee
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705:FEMA CERT volunteer (Type 2/1)
598:(2.5 hrs). Students learn how
438:CERT leader/incident commander
1:
762:
618:cardiopulmonary resuscitation
526:Unit 1: Disaster preparedness
1183:Volunteers in Police Service
731:FEMA CERT team leader type 1
728:FEMA CERT team leader type 2
634:emergency medical technician
592:are the topics of this unit.
7:
735:
680:emergency operations center
582:Unit 7: Disaster psychology
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396:emergency operations center
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277:volunteer and CERT member.
232:neighborhood emergency team
10:
1231:
786:. Volunteer USA Foundation
722:FEMA CERT volunteer type 1
719:FEMA CERT volunteer type 2
596:Unit 8: Terrorism and CERT
483:Medical treatment team (2)
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1085:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
1061:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
1037:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
1013:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
989:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
965:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
941:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
917:rtlt.preptoolkit.fema.gov
630:certified first responder
576:Unit 6: CERT organization
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588:and dealing with victim
725:FEMA CERT section chief
708:FEMA CERT section chief
672:Albuquerque, New Mexico
444:Safety officer/dispatch
247:incident command system
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622:mass-casualty incident
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195:In the United States,
1172:Medical Reserve Corps
757:Medical Reserve Corps
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507:
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203:an implementation of
274:emergency management
216:emergency responders
40:improve this article
784:floridadisaster.org
540:hazardous materials
536:Unit 2: Fire safety
210:an organization of
173:Parent organization
120:
1108:Citizen Corps CERT
827:Schmidt, James B.
744: –
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584:(1 hr). Responder
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891:"CERT Volunteers"
544:fire extinguisher
270:police department
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1151:Partner Programs
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867:. Archived from
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51:Find sources:
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29:This article
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1088:. Retrieved
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869:the original
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836:the original
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810:. Retrieved
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256:Organization
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136:Abbreviation
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38:Please help
33:verification
30:
489:Team leader
96:August 2024
1199:Categories
1167:Fire Corps
1090:2024-08-11
1066:2024-08-11
1042:2024-08-11
1018:2024-08-11
994:2024-08-11
970:2024-08-11
946:2024-08-11
922:2024-08-11
763:References
600:terrorists
586:well-being
415:California
167:Suu-Va Tai
66:newspapers
626:first aid
408:first aid
310:venturing
298:teen CERT
212:volunteer
163:President
156:Nonprofit
144:Formation
746:Pakistan
736:See also
655:(NIMS).
570:cribbing
500:Training
350:Response
314:explorer
897:17 July
875:17 July
845:17 July
812:17 July
790:17 July
364:organic
184:Website
80:scholar
1185:(VIPS)
1179:(NNWP)
1163:(CERT)
590:trauma
423:Kansas
419:Hawaii
404:triage
312:crew,
300:), or
230:), or
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839:(PDF)
832:(PDF)
780:(PDF)
466:START
272:, or
87:JSTOR
73:books
899:2015
877:2015
847:2015
814:2015
792:2015
421:and
406:and
380:MURS
376:GMRS
306:SERT
228:NERT
205:FEMA
152:Type
147:1993
139:CERT
59:news
632:or
378:or
372:FRS
283:ICS
238:).
236:NET
42:by
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