New CERT materials came out today!
And we had better get ready for the storm!
Two exciting things ti consider today.
First let me say Sorry for the lengthy post today but its great information and well worth the read. Look it up and get ready.
Dear CERTers,
There’s a lot information in this GovDelivery. We hope you’ll find
all of it helpful and interesting.
Latest Issue of National CERT Newsletter
The CERT National Program Office is pleased to announce that Volume
4, Issue 3 of the CERT National Newsletter is now posted. Please click
on the following link to access the new issue:
https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6215. We hope you enjoy this issue of the newsletter which
focuses on CERT program activities in the central States. The previous issue
covered local program activities in the eastern States, and we hope that the
next issue will focus on the western States and territories (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Pacific territories, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming). If you have a newsletter story, please send
it now to cert@dhs.gov.
Thank you, and please keep
those stories coming wherever you live!
Please Update Your Registration Profile
Today!
Local CERT Program
coordinators/managers, if you haven’t refreshed your profile in the national
CERT registry in the past six months, please do it now! You’ve probably
conducted at least one more round of the CERT Basic Training, so please update
those numbers and other information on your program activities. Please be sure
to note if your program is working with teens/high school students or with
colleges/universities. To update your profile, please go to https://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/secure/index.do. If you are
new local CERT program, please register! You’ll find information and assistance
at the CERT Program Registration Support
Page at http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/registry.shtm.
Supplemental Training Modules Support the Expanding CERT
Mission
The CERT National
Program Office is also very pleased to announce publication of six new
supplemental training modules, now available for download. The supplemental
modules will train CERT members in new skills and increase CERTs’ capacity to
support local emergency services and public safety. Local CERT program
managers/coordinators should determine which of the modules will address local
training needs. We hope that all of the modules will be helpful. The materials for
each module are in Word format and PowerPoint, and can be tailored to fit local
training needs. Review the
supplemental training modules on the Training Materials page of the National
CERT website or at the links below and start planning for your next supplemental
training today.
CERT Emergency
Communications
In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) the role of
CERT in communications during an activation; 2) how to use a communications
plan; 3) the use of different communication modes and strategies; and, 4) how to
use communication devices. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6223
CERT Exercise Swaps
This module includes two four-hour units to train CERT teams to
design and conduct exercises for each other. CERT members will learn: 1) FEMA
exercise guidance and HSEEP concepts; 2) criteria for well-designed CERT
exercises; 3) steps and documents used in designing and conducting an exercise;
and, 4) challenges and smart practices for conducting a CERT exercise.
Participants will begin the exercise swap design process as part of the course
work. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6361
CERT Firefighter Rehab
This four-hour module trains CERT members to safely set up and
perform the non-medical functions of firefighter rehabilitation. CERT members
will learn: 1) the definition of and need for firefighter rehab; 2) the
physiological threats to firefighters; 3) an overview of what happens at the
scene of a fire; and, 4) how CERT members set up and what they do in the rehab
area. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6360
Flood Response for CERTs
This four-hour module will train CERT members to: 1) relate CERT
Basic Training skills to flood response; 2) identify a flood and the dangers of
working around floodwaters; 3) work safely and efficiently with sandbags; and,
4) construct a sandbag barrier correctly. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6359
CERT Tools for Leadership Success
In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) how CERT
Basic Training concepts relate to leadership; 2) the characteristics, skills and
responsibilities of team leaders, and how leaders and team members interact; 3)
different styles of leadership and how they apply to CERT situations; and, 4)
examples of how CERT leaders run successful team operations. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6225
CERT Traffic and Crowd Management
In this four-hour module, CERT members will learn: 1) how CERT
Basic Training skills relate to crowd and traffic management; 2) effective
communication strategies to direct traffic and crowds; 3) crowd management
skills and how to put together a basic crowd management plan; and, 4) using
traffic control devices to safely manage traffic in various situations and how
to put together a basic traffic management plan. https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6358
Please keep in touch!
-
If you have a
topic for another CERT supplemental training module, please let us know at
cert@dhs.gov. Please put “Training
Topic” in the subject line.
-
Please let CERT
practitioners and advocates around the country know your ideas about any aspect
of CERT at the CERT Online Forum. Share your suggestions and comments at http://community.fema.gov.
-
Thank you!
Sincerely,
National CERT Program Office
Federal Emergency Management Agency
DHS -FEMA Update
Tropical Storm
Isaac: Monitor Its Path and Prepare Now
Forecasts from the
National Hurricane Center and
National Weather Service are calling for
Tropical Storm Isaac to pass the Dominican Republic today and near or over Cuba
this weekend. Some strengthening is expected while the center remains over
water. While it is still too early to know exactly how strong the storm will be
after its interaction with land this weekend or where the storm will have the
greatest impact to the U.S. Coast, we encourage people throughout Florida, the
Gulf Coast and parts of the East Coast to make sure they take steps to prepare
for potential severe storm, hurricane and flooding conditions. Stay tuned to
your local news and always evacuate when instructed to.
Take time this
weekend to ensure you:
- Have an
adequate communication plan with friends and family
- Identify
hurricane evacuation routes
- Gather
supplies including a
battery- powered radio, extra batteries, flashlight, cell phone chargers,
medications, non-perishable food and first aid items for family and
pets
Remember, hurricanes
also bring flooding. Flooding can occur two ways: gradually or very suddenly. If
you are in an area where there is a chance flooding can occur very suddenly,
which is also known as a “flash flood,” move immediately to higher ground. Avoid
walking or driving through any flooded areas – it only takes six inches of
fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle.
Prepare for hazards
in YOUR area
Although you may not be is
Isaac’s path, now is a good time to review the potential hazards where you live.
Knowing likely risks for your area, whether wildfires, earthquakes, or tornados,
and knowing what to do when a
disaster strikes is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the
difference when seconds matter. Local Emergency management
offices can help you identify hazards in your community and can outline the
local plans and recommendations for each. And be sure to share this information
with family, neighbors, colleagues and friends – talking about preparedness
helps everyone be ready “just in case.” Use the links below to make your family,
business and community safer, more resilient and better prepared for
any
disaster event.
Useful
links
What to do before,
during, and after a hurricane or tropical storm:
Latest Isaac
forecast from the National Hurricane Center:
Community preparedness
tools and resources:
Follow us on
Twitter for more tips and
recommendations! We want to hear your suggestions on how we can improve our
communications to you, be sure to email us at citizencorps@dhs.gov.
