1 of 32

Unit 2: CERT Organization

CERT Basic Training

2 of 32

Unit 2 Objectives

Describe the CERT organizational structure
Explain the Incident Command System (ICS) and how CERT operates within this structure
Describe the 9-step one-scene size-up process
Describe how to use CERT standard documents

PM 2-1

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-1

3 of 32

Principles of On-Scene Management

Maintain the safety of disaster workers
Provide clear leadership and organizational structure
Improve effectiveness of rescue efforts

PM 2-2

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-2

4 of 32

On-Scene Management

Well-defined management structure
Manageable span of control
Common terminology
Effective communication
Consolidated action plans
Comprehensive resource management
Accountability

PM 2-2

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-3

Manageable span of control is 3 – 7 folks, best at 5.

Why this style of on-scene management? 1970 fire season in Southern CA. At the time, the sky was full of giant smoke columns and fire apparatus were passing each other on their way to incidents, with some going north as others headed south. Individual Command Posts and fire camps were established by multiple agencies for the same incident. These fires, over 13 days, resulted in 16 deaths, 700+ destroyed structures, more than 500,000 acres burned, and over $234 million in damage.

As part of the after-action review, the U.S. Forest Service, with their partner response agencies in Southern California, examined the incident management efforts. They discovered the following issues:

At the incident or field level, there was confusion derived from different terminology, organizational structure, and operating procedures between the various response agencies.
Above the incident or field level at the agency or coordination level, the mechanisms to coordinate and handle competing resource demands and to establish consistent resource priorities was inadequate.
Congress gave funds to USFS to develop a plan for inter-agency response.

Part because of Oakland Hills Fire of 1991. The fire ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others.

The 1,520 acres destroyed included 2,843 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment and condominium units. Outside fire teams faced various equipment compatibility issues such as hydrants having the wrong size outlets for the hoses used by neighboring counties. Oakland was also not able to communicate with many mutual aid resources due to antiquated equipment and lack of access to statewide radio frequencies brought on by the budget restrictions in the preceding years.

5 of 32

Objectives for On-scene Management

Identify scope of incident
Determine overall strategy
Set priorities
Deploy resources
Document actions and results

6 of 32

Incident Command System

PM 2-3

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-5

7 of 32

Incident Command System

The “Doers”

Fire Suppression

Search & Rescue

Medical Operations

The “Thinkers”

Planning,

People, Paper

Rarely Needed

By CERTs

The “Getters” & Communications

Finance &

Intelligence

Chiefs

PM 2-3

8 of 32

9 of 32

CERT Incident Operations

Command structure
CERT Team Leader
Command Post
Expanded structure as needed

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

PM 2-5

2-6

10 of 32

CERT Incident Command

First person at staging area is Incident Commander/Team Leader
IC/TL directs team activities and ensures incident safety
Sets up Command Post and stays there
Assigns workers to head Operations, Logistics, & Planning
Interfaces with Media and other Responders (Fire, Police, etc.)
Takes direction from Agency official

PM 2-4

Finance & Intelligence Chiefs

IC/Team Leader

11 of 32

CERT Operations

Typically one of the first functions assigned
Directs and coordinates all tactical operations:

Fire
Search & Rescue
Medical Operations

Documents team briefings and assignments

PS 2-5

Finance & Intelligence Chiefs

IC/Team Leader

12 of 32

CERT Logistics

Provides Communications
Provides food and medical support to Team members
Coordinates with Operations to determine needs
Manages supplies and facilities
Documents equipment, supplies and facilities

PM 2-4

Finance & Intelligence Chiefs

IC/Team Leader

13 of 32

CERT Planning

Tracks Resources (CERT members and other volunteers who have reported in)
Tracks situation status (incident & staging locations, routes, hazards)
Prepares Team’s action plan & alternative strategies

PM 2-4

Finance & Intelligence Chiefs

IC/Team Leader

14 of 32

CERT Planning

Provides documentation services to other Sections
Maintains Personnel Resources Tracking Log

PM 2-4

Finance & Intelligence Chiefs

IC/Team Leader

15 of 32

Dealing with the Media

Refer media inquiries to IC / CERT Team Leader
Do not let media inhibit CERT goals
Be careful about information released
Social media pitfalls

PM 2-6

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-7

16 of 32

NIMS Implementation

Ability to work together

FEMA classes

IS-100: Introduction to ICS
IS-200: Basic ICS for Initial Response
IS-700: Introduction to NIMS

National Incident Management System

PM 2-6

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-8

17 of 32

Exercise 2.1

Using your knowledge about the ICS functions, decide under which function the following CERT activities would fall. Some activities may involve more than one function to be completed
Use the following key to fill in the blanks before each activity:

Team Leader = TL
Operations = O
Planning = P
Logistics = L

PM 2-7

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-9

18 of 32

CERT Mobilization

CERTs take care of themselves, their families, their homes, their neighbors first
Proceed to predesignated staging area if activated
TL is established, organizes the group
TL prioritizes actions
Organization is flexible and evolves based on new information

PM 2-8

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-10

19 of 32

On-Scene Size-up

Gather Facts
Assess and Communicate Damage
Consider Probabilities
Assess Your Own Situation
Establish Priorities
Make Decisions
Develop Plan of Action
Take Action
Evaluate Progress

PM 2-9

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-11

20 of 32

CERT Size-up – CANE²

Conditions
Actions
Needs
Execute and Evaluate

CERT Basic Training Unit 4: Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2

4-2

21 of 32

Rescuer Safety

Rescuer safety = first priority
Heavy damage = No rescue
Moderate damage = Locate, assess, evacuate
Light damage = Locate, assess, continue size-up, and document

PM 2-10

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-12

22 of 32

Documentation

Command Post

Documents situation status

Incident locations
Access routes
Identified hazards
Support locations

Section Chiefs

Provide Command Post with information

PM 2-11

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-13

23 of 32

Documentation (image)

PM 2-11

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-14

24 of 32

Documentation Forms

Damage Assessment: County form / App
Personnel Resources Sign-In: County form
CERT Assignment Tracking Log
ICS 214 (Not a CERT form)
Briefing Assignment
Treatment Area Record
Communications Log
Equipment Inventory
General Message

2-15

PM 2-13

25 of 32

Documentation Flow (5 of 5)

PM 2-13

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-20

26 of 32

CERT Damage Assessment

PM 2-14

To be filled out as you go to CP or staging
Also used in squad surveys of neighborhood
Used to help prioritize problems

27 of 32

CERT Personnel �Resources

PM 2-15

Form 2 (Our County version)

Track CERT and Spontaneous Untrained Volunteers (SUV) personnel at sign-in
Info requested by OR3

28 of 32

CERT Assignment �Tracking

PM 2-16

Form 3

Documents what each team has done
Should match up with Form 2

29 of 32

ICS 214

PM 2-16

Documents what each team has done
Used by Fire/Police
Communication passed on to next shift/Team Leader

30 of 32

CERT Equipment �Inventory

PM 2-20 thru 22

Form 7

What you have and where it is
Helps identify needs you do not have

31 of 32

Unit Summary (Unit 2)

ICS provides flexible means of organization
Ask “Is it safe?”
Document and communicate information to all CERT levels
Provide Command Post with ongoing information about damage assessment, group status, and needs
Command Post documents and tracks situation status

PM 2-25

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-21

32 of 32

Homework Assignment (Unit 2)

Read Unit 3 (Disaster Medical Part 1) to be covered in next session
Bring unusual splinting materials
Wear appropriate clothes to next session

CERT Basic Training Unit 2: CERT Organization

2-22