NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Community Emergency Response Team CERT Launching a CERT Program.

NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003

Community Emergency Response Team

CERT Launching a CERT

Program


Launching a CERT – 5 Components

1. Define Program Goals

2. Identify Resources

3. Market the Program

4. Deliver the Training

5. Plan for Program Maintenance


1. Define Program Goals

Effective Disaster Response Teams?

Better Community Preparedness?

Support for Other Public Safety Efforts?

Enhanced Public Relations?


Effective Disaster Response Teams

Individual disaster responder skills

Team organization

Linkage with professional responders


Linkage with Professional Responders

When deployed, CERTs must be able to function on their own

CERT operations also need to be linked with other responders

Means and degree of linkage between CERTs and other responders depend on nature of the event


Better Community Preparedness

CERT participants maintain high level of home and workplace preparedness

Participants are more informed about risks and vulnerabilities

Participants are already committed to safety and well-being of their neighbors


Support Other Public Safety Efforts

Installing smoke detectors, providing safety standby at community events, etc.

Benefits the community-at-largeBenefits the CERTsBenefits the program (“value-added

volunteers”)



What will we need?

Where will we get it?


What Do We Need to Get Started?

Course material and training props

Support for the conceptProgram CoordinatorTrainersProgram forms and flyer Info management tool


Course Material and Props

NYS CERT CD with IG, PM, PPT, etc. for printing manuals and presentations

Internet sites (NYSEMO, FEMA, other CERT programs)

Local emergency management officesAmerican Red Cross (video, pamphlets,

specialty training)Local utilities (info pamphlets, props)


Support for the Concept

“It’s a real resource!” vs. “It’s a new program!”

Whenever possible, “Let your citizens do the talking”

Always keep elected officials in the loop


Program Coordinator

Program development– Link between CERTs and professional

responders– Expanding role and responsibilities of CERTs– Continuing education for program participants

Funding and budgetingEducating the department and jurisdictionPublicity and networking


Program Coordinator

Also responsible for program administration– Handle public inquiries about program– Process registrations– Maintain records (financial, inventory,

database of CERT members, etc.)– Schedule basic training courses, follow-up

training, special events, etc.– Coordinate newsletter and other mailings


Program Coordinator

Also responsible for course management– Regular contact with current students– Recruit, train and schedule instructors– Maintain consistent and up-to-date content– Set up classrooms– Provide orientation at beginning of new

course


Program Forms and Info Material

Recruitment flyer or brochure (w/ mailer)Registration formCourse confirmation letterLiability waiver formClass sign-in rosterCertificate of CompletionCourse evaluation form


Info Management ToolCollect and organize info on each program

participant as soon as you start the training– Contact information– Team– Classes completed / year of completion– Continuing ed training completed– Other, e.g., ham operator, CERT leader?

Consider building a database to facilitate mailings, contact lists, etc.


First Responders as CERT Trainers

ADVANTAGES 1st response

experience Training experience Quality control Reliability Set schedules

CHALLENGES Uncertainty about

CERTs Training experience Cost


Bottom Line on Resources

Staffing (coordinator and trainers) will drive the cost per student



Reaching the Community

Maintaining the Political Support

Pitching to the Media

Pitching to Your Organization

Getting Corporate Support


Reaching the Community

Defining “The Community”

Defining Citizen Roles

Working with Ready-Made

Partners

Effective Community Outreach


“The Community” Sees Itself

Geographic Communities

Ethnic Communities

Businesses

Schools

Communities of Faith

Communities of Interest


“The Community” Seen by Govt.

Taxpayers

Voters

Advocates

Victims

Customers

Partners


“Customer Opinion” about Emergencies

It’s not going to happen to me.

It’s not going to be that bad.

There’s nothing I can do.

Government will do it.


The Partner

n. A person associated with another or others in some activity of common interest. Synonyms: partner, colleague, ally, confederate, accomplice. These all denote one who cooperates in a venture, occupation, or challenge.


Examples of Ready-Made Partners

Homeowner AssociationsNeighborhood AssociationsChurch Groups Business District AssociationsGrange AssociationsSchools/PTAsScouting OrganizationsRACES/Amateur Radio


Basic Outreach to Citizens

Regular meetings of established groups

Mailers to membership listsArticles in community newslettersCommunity eventsPrint media and TV


Tips for Effective Outreach

Explain the problem, then offer the solution

Clarify processes and expectations up front


Identify special audiences that need to know CERT training is available


Maintaining Political Support


Demonstrate numbers of citizens visibly Invite direct involvement of elected officials,

agency head, their executive staff


Pitching to the Media

Give the media action involving citizens + disasters

Publicize photo opportunities and “hands-on” aspect of training


Be prepared for the results of media coverage


Pitching to Your Organization

Convince them of the problem, then offer the solution

Clarify program goals and expectations up front

Describe CERT training and protocols in agency terms



Talk business to business

Emphasize potential employee

involvement

Feature enhanced community

preparedness



Spell out exactly what you want

Present a complete plan– Goals and objectives– Respective roles of all partners– Measurable timeline– Evaluation process

End result must be tangible



Allow plenty of lead time –

Planning!!

Pilot course is most important


The Program Pilot

Test the CERT curriculum

Test delivery of training

Collect feedback

Assess results

Make revisions if needed


The Program Pilot

Select and target “test communities”

Conduct real-life version of the training

Conduct a fearless debriefing

Seek an outsider to assess the results


The Program Pilot

Debriefing and assessing the results:

What prompted the participants to enroll?How did they find out about the training?Their satisfaction with program length?Their satisfaction with program intensity?


The Program Pilot

Debriefing and assessing the results (cont.):

Topics to be expanded, compressed, added?

Effectiveness of instructional techniques?Effectiveness of instructional materials?Convenience of schedule and location(s)?Ways to sustain their interest?


5. Plan for Program Maintenance

Comprehensive program maintenance

Examples of maintenance successes


Volunteer Retention

Commitment to the community

Commitment to ongoing training

Commitment to building the team

A partnership in the program


Rescuer Skills

Maintain a range of basic response skills

Enhance current skills

Learn new skills


Program Administration

Manage information and data

Maintain and expand budget

Maintain and expand corps of

trainers

Evaluate program


External Program Support

Professional responders

Community-based organizations

City Hall

Business community

Corporate donors


Maintenance Successes

Real-Life Activation of TeamsRefresher/Advanced ClassesTechnical Assistance to TeamsProgram Newsletter


More Maintenance Successes

Citywide ExercisesNeighborhood Exercise SwapsAcknowledgment EventsExpanded CERT Activities


Sample Expanded Activities

CERT “Smoke Detector Squad”Coordination and staffing at safety fairsFundraising partnerships Management of CERT programFirst aid stations at neighborhood eventsDisaster Preparedness Speakers’ BureauSimulators in Fire Department exercises


Expanded CERT Activities

Maintain individuals’ skillsSupport individuals’ commitmentMaintain team cohesionBuild partnership with professionalsBuild political supportCapitalize on initial investment


Unit Summary

Five critical steps to launch a CERT program1. Define CERT Program Goals




5. Develop a Maintenance Plan

Allow enough lead timeBe prepared for growth

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NYSEMO Version 1.0 Sept. 2003 Community Emergency Response Team CERT Launching a CERT Program.

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