Applying a well-defined management structure; using shared, common terminology; and comprehensive resource management are all examples of ______________.
ICS Principles
ICS component: Incident Command (IC)…
Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and priorities, and has overall responsibility for the incident.
ICS component: Operations…
Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives (e.g., medical operations, search and rescue, traffic management). Establishes tactics and handles all operational resources.
ICS component: Planning…
Supports the incident action planning process by tracking resources and situation status, collecting/analyzing information, developing alternative strategies, and maintaining documentation
ICS component: Logistics…
Arranges for resources and needed services (e.g., provide communication equipment and food and medical supplies, and management of supplies and facilities) to support achievement of the incident objectives.
ICS component: Finance & Administration…
Handles contract negotiations and monitoring, timekeeping, cost analysis, and compensations for injury or damage to property.
What does the CERT Team Leader do?
- Determines an overall strategy
- Deploys teams and resources
- Documents actions and results
- Provides overall leadership for incident response
- Ensures incident safety
- Establishes incident objectives
- Is responsible for all functions until delegated
- Delegates authority to others
- Provides information to internal + external parties
- Establishes and maintains liaison with other responders (fire, law, etc.)
- Takes direction from an agency official
What does the Operations Section do?
- Directs and coordinates all incidental tactical operations
- Is typically one of the first functions to be assigned
- Provides shelter support, crowd and traffic management, and evacuation
- Supports medical operations
- Participates in search and rescue operations
- Manages traffic
What does the Logistics Section do?
- Provides communications
- Provides food + medical support to team volunteers
- Manages supplies + facilities
What does the Administration Section do?
- Contact negotiation + monitoring
- Timekeeping
- Cost analysis
- Compensation for injury or damage to property
- CERTs will have very little involvement with this function
Instructions: Read the scenario and question below; then select the correct answer.
Scenario: The local evening news reports that the additional shelters have a severe shortage of volunteers. You are surprised because you are a trained member of the Emerald City CERT and your unit has not been contacted to help.
What might be the reason your CERT was not contacted to assist?
Your area’s Emergency Management Plan lacks information either about your CERT or about all of your CERT’s capabilities.
Scenario: The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army’s arrival bring new volunteers to assist with the flood response efforts and sheltering.
The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army represent what type of organization?
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
How should you handle spontaneous volunteers?
Send them to the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) to register with a Volunteer Coordination Team (VCT) member.
Scenario: The TL is ready to submit the status reporting documents from the CERT functional sections. The TL has ensured that each document uses common terminology and clear, precise, plain language. By doing this, the TL is:
Using effective CERT ICS communication
Scenario: Your CERT arrives first to the scene of a home damaged by a fallen tree. Your team has examined the exterior of the home. For safety reasons, they have not entered the home. When the CERT is relieved from duty, the TL provides a status report with documentation.
What important information should be documented in the TL’s report to the fire department official?
Access routes, incident locations, & identified hazards
What does LEP stand for…
Limited English Proficiency
What does AFN stand for…
Access and Functional Needs (e.g., hearing impaired)
Describe the CERT program:
Educates the public in disaster preparedness and disaster response.
CERTS are most commonly sponsored by who?
Community agencies
What does the CERT program support?
The National Preparedness Goal and FEMA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan goals
What are the standards that all CERT training follows?
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Securing outdoor furniture, preparing sandbags, and boarding up windows prior to a hurricane are examples of what kinds of activities?
Preparation
During an emergency, how are the roles and responsibilities established within a CERT?
CERT volunteers will rely on their Team Leader (TL) to manage CERT activities.
CERT volunteers spend much of their time:
Serving as a community resource
