Community EmergencyCommunity Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and

its Role in your Business Continuity PlanContinuity Plan

Kim Bowker, CBCP

May 15, 2008

Today’s MessagesToday s Messages

• Provide a better understanding of theProvide a better understanding of the CERT program

• How the CERT program can benefit you• How the CERT program can benefit you, your staff and your Business Continuity planplan

About CERTAbout CERT

• Los Angeles City Fire Department – 1985Los Angeles City Fire Department 1985• Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) 1993(FEMA) -1993• U. S. Department of Homeland Security –

Citi CCitizen Corp

Mission of Citizen CorpsMission of Citizen Corps

To harness the power of every individualTo harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities saferservice to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism crime public healththe threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kind.

CERT Training ObjectivesCERT Training ObjectivesDoing the greatest good for the greatest

b f lnumber of people…•Provide citizens facts about disasters•Inform citizens of their responsibility for mitigation and preparednessg p p•Train citizens on life savings skills and rescuer safetyrescuer safety•Train citizens on how to organize so they are an extension of the first respondersare an extension of the first responders

CERT Course ComponentsCERT Course Components• Disaster preparedness

Fi f• Fire safety• Disaster medical operations• Light search and rescue• CERT organizationCERT organization• Disaster psychology

T i• Terrorism• Disaster Simulation Exercise

~20 hours of training

Optional Training ModulesOptional Training Modules

• Crowd controlCrowd control• Traffic operations

Di t i ti• Disaster communications

Target AudienceTarget Audience

• IndividualsIndividuals• Businesses

N i hb h d• Neighborhoods• Clubs/Organizations• School Staff/Students

General Benefits of TrainingGeneral Benefits of Training

• Provides people the decision makingProvides people the decision making, organizational, and practical skills necessary to assist in an eventto assist in an event

• Provides hands on training, not theoryP id t iti t k ith th• Provides opportunities to work with the public sector and build relationships

• Promotes teamwork

Business Continuity PlanningBusiness Continuity Planning

Advanced Recovery and B i C ti it St tBusiness Continuity Strategy

StrengthenFocus DifferentiateImprove Business

Continuity Program Provide value and

distinguish services as a Mission Critical

Systems and to mitigate

operational risks to the organization

part of the company commitment to quality

and reliability

Business Operations

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program• Awareness - Maintain the appropriate level of knowledge and

experience while providing a structured processexperience while providing a structured process• Prevention - Measures and controls to reduce the chances of

an event occurring and/or minimize the impacts if an event does occur

• Response - Plans and procedures to respond to an event, manage the assessment and activate emergency and recoverymanage the assessment and activate emergency and recovery plans

• Recovery - Recovery plans to facilitate the continued performance of essential operations

• Restoration - Plans to restore operations following an extended disruptionextended disruption

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program• Awareness - Maintain the appropriate level of knowledge and

experience while providing a structured processexperience while providing a structured process

AwarenessAwareness

• Identify potential hazards in their regionIdentify potential hazards in their region, homes and workplaces

• Understand roles and protocol of the• Understand roles and protocol of the public sectorB ild t l l ti hi i it• Build external relationships in community

• Introduce Incident Command System (ICS)

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program

• Prevention - Measures and controls to reduce the chances of an event occurring and/or minimize the impacts if an eventan event occurring and/or minimize the impacts if an event does occur

PreventionPrevention

Take advantage of private sector relationshipsTake advantage of private sector relationships• Reduce hazards, where possible

T i• Terrorism awareness• Evacuation Plans• Shelter in Place Plans• Fire Extinguisher TrainingFire Extinguisher Training

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program

• Response - Plans and procedures to respond to an event, manage the assessment and activate emergency and recovery g g y yplans

ResponseResponse

• Fire SuppressionFire Suppression• Medical Operations

ICS• ICS• Disaster Psychology • Communications

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program

• Recovery - Recovery plans to facilitate the continued eco e y eco e y p a s to ac tate t e co t uedperformance of essential operations

RecoveryRecovery

• Trained employees provide quickerTrained employees provide quicker recovery

Home preparedness- Home preparedness- Mental health

• Communications

Business Continuity ProgramBusiness Continuity Program

• Restoration - Plans to restore operations following an extended disruption

RestorationRestoration

• Government supportGovernment support• Community support

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions

• Where can I take CERT training?Where can I take CERT training?• What are the age requirements?

Wh t b t h lth ?• What about health concerns?• How can I maintain my skills after training?• What about liability issues?

How to Learn MoreHow to Learn More

www citizencorps govwww.citizencorps.govwww.sema.dps.mo.gov

www fema govwww.fema.gov

SummarySummary

• Take your Business Continuity plan to theTake your Business Continuity plan to the next level – bridge the gap between the public and private sectorpublic and private sector

• Build key relationships in your communityP t f f it• Promote awareness for a safer community