Why is CERT Needed?

2. Disasters can severely restrict and overwhelm emergency responders, communications, transportation and utilities, leaving neighborhoods and individuals cut off from outside emergency support. Citizens want training to help them be proactive with their own safety. Why is CERT Needed?

3. CERT Goal A network of teams who are trained by emergency service professionals that can be called upon during local emergency and disaster situations. Also, CERT members are a volunteer resource for non-emergency preparedness projects.

4. The Need to be Ready In 95% of all emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or to perform a rescue

5. Community Emergency Response Teams A network of proactive citizens who are trained by emergency service professionals to respond to local disaster situations

6. Why CERT? To tap into the American spirit of volunteerism To create a partnership between community members, emergency management, and response agencies To empower people to become part of the mitigation, preparedness, and response solution To train volunteer resources to improve community preparedness and response capability

7. CERT Background • Developed by LA City Fire Department in 1987 • Department accepted limitations to provide immediate help after a major event • Community volunteers seen as part of the solution • Adopted by FEMA in 1993 as an all hazards community-based training program • Became part of President Bush’s Citizen Corps in 2002

8. Citizen Corps Programs Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers Neighborhood Watch/USAonWatch incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates and trains citizens in basic disaster response skills The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program helps medical, public health, and other volunteers offer their expertise Fire Corps promotes the use of citizen advocates to provide support to fire and rescue departments

9. Citizen Corps Mission To have everyone in America participate in making themselves, our communities, and our nation safer We all have a role in hometown security a personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

10. Community Benefits • Greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control • Builds community pride, unity and patriotism • Promotes risk reduction, mitigation, and preparedness practices • Prepares us all for helping others in a crisis

11. Emergency Responder Benefits • Year round support through volunteer programs • Reduces burden on first responder services by promoting mitigation and preparedness measures • Creates well trained, better informed, and better prepared citizens to take care of themselves and others during times of crisis -- allowing first responders to address the most critical needs

12. CERT Community Process Educate community members about hazards, vulnerabilities and professional response capabilities and limitations Train participants in basic response skills Promote CERT organization and growth Keep teams involved through exercises, supplemental training and special projects

13. Community Emergency Response TeamsRoles for CERT Members: • Prepare for a disaster • Respond to a disaster • Assist, when asked, with non-emergency situations

14. CERT Disaster Response Activities • Assisted in flooding in western NC in 2004 • Assisted in Emergency Operations Centers • Checked on senior citizens without electricity • Assisted in American Red Cross shelters

15. Emergency Response

17. Community Emergency Response Teams Respond By: Sizing up the situation … then, if necessary … Turning off utilities wherever possible Suppressing small fires Treating life-threatening injuries Conducting light search and rescue Helping victims cope with their emotions

18. CERTs DO NOT : • Suppress large fires! • Enter heavily damaged or dangerous structures! • Perform hazardous materials clean-up! • Perform beyond their level of training! • Activate or deploy unless called for!

19. Day-to-Day Activities • Hand-out literature • Provide and install smoke detectors • Provide staffing for special events • EM volunteers • Use your imagination Preparedness Presentations

20. CERT Non-Disaster Activities • Traffic control for special events • Crowd control for special events • Preparedness education/outreach • Promote CERT; make presentations • Member of other Citizen Corps Programs

21. Disaster Preparedness • Fire Suppression • Medical - 3 Killers, Triage, Head to Toe • Medical - Treatment, Medical Areas, Sanitation • Light Search and Rescue • Team Organization and Disaster Psychology • Terrorism Module • Final exercise • Continuing Education and Supplemental Training CERT Sessions

22. CERT Sessions Basic course is 21 hours Activity and exercise driven Fun and hands-on Win-win process Continued involvement through supplemental training, exercises and projects

23. Continuing Education • Shelter Operations • Weather Spotter • Search and Rescue • CPR/AED • Damage Assessment • Traffic Control • Mass Care

24. Contact information: Patty Moore Program Manager, NC CERT 919-825-2282 patty.moore@ncdps.gov