Here is a continuation of my notes on Week six of CERT class. I’m going to break them down into smaller segments.

Three goals of on-scene management:

1. maintain safety of disaster workers. This is done by prioritizing responses based on teams by capability and training. CERT members work on the buddy system.
2. Provide clear leadership and organizational structure: this is bound to the chain of command in the specifically assigned roles. Each person only reports to the person directly above them. Undesirable racial is 3 to 7 rescuers per supervisor
3. Improve the effectiveness of rescue efforts: disaster information is collected, prioritized, responded to by the for the largest number of people according to responders training and capabilities. Communication should be by clear language understood by all.

It a disaster situation:

• Identifies the scope of incident (what is the problem?)
• Determines overall strategy (what can we do, and how will he do it?)
• Deploy teams and resources (who are going to do what?)
• Document actions and results.

Need for flexibility:

• Disasters create an ever-changing environment.
• Framework is flexible to expand or contract depending upon ongoing assessment and resource availability
• Keep in mind: rescuer safety, for the greatest number, a manageable span of control and accountability of CERT members

CERT hierarchy:

• Incident commander:
• Operation section’s chief:
• Logistics section chief:
• Planning section chief:
• Finance – administrative section chief

Incident commander system: ICS

• Is usually the first person on site. They may hand off this role to a pre-designated leader in that person arrives.
• Location of command and control incident is called command post. The IC stays in the command post. If they have to leave the mess delegate to someone in the command post.
• The IC will initially handle all command positions but as this involves he or she may assign personnel as needed to the four ICS command functions.
• The IC reports to the first fire or law enforcement official of their location and take direction from that person or until the CERT is relieved.
• The IC is responsible for signing or reassigning section to handle specific aspects of the response.
• Provides overall leadership.
• Insures incident safety
• Determines incident objectives
• Responsible for all functions until delegated
• Provides information to internal and external parties
• Exceptions and maintains liaison with other responders (firefighters, law enforcement, public words or CERT
• Takes directions from agency official

Operation section:

• Direction coordinates all incident tactical operations such as search and rescue
• Is one of the first functions be assigned

Planning section:

• Tracks resources status i.e. number of CERT members who reported for duty
• Track situation status
• Prepares the team action plan
• Develops alternative strategies
• Provides documentation services

Logistics section:

• Provides medications
• Provides food and medical support to team members
• Manage supplies and facilities
• Keep track of equipment
• Ensures a board equipment is returned in the same condition as borrowed
• It’s recommended to have 3 x 5 cards to label each piece of equipment by model number etc. helps keep resources organized
• If a store donates 5000 water bottles document. They may be a resource if you need more
• You layer section commanders by the more people you gather who want to help.
• Most people can only keep track of 3 to 5 things effectively SUV: spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers. Some of these could act as your scribes. Or could be trained to help in certain tasks
• It’s recommended to have a separate log for SUVs, a separate log for CERT, a different log for had radio, and for medical trained individuals

Finance and administration section:

• Contract negotiation and monitoring
• Timekeeping
• Cost analysis
• Compensation for injury or damage to property
• Finance administration is a function in the formal ICS but CERT may not need it.

CERT operations:

• Each CERT must establish a command structure
• CERT assigned to logistics – manage resources, services and supplies
• CERT assigned the planning – intelligence: collect and display information; collecting and compiling documentation
• CERT assigned operations: conducting fire suppression, medical operations, search and rescue
• Each unit must have an identified leader to supervise tasks being performed and to report information to his or her designated leader. CERT personnel assigned operations to consist of 3 to 4 people.
• One personal service runner and communicate with command post
• Two people buddy up to respond to immediate needs. Search and rescue must include at least four people with a safety person remain outside of the area to be searched place to be able to conduct the search. One of these people will also be documenting the events of the search.