Term
Heavy damage - "Is it safe for the CERT members to attempt the rescue?"
(CERT Manual Page 6-12) |
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Definition
No rescue should be attempted.
Use tape around the area or mark the area as heavy damage.
CERT members do not have any legal authority to stop or restrict someone who wants to enter an area. At best, CERT members can warn others about the danger and inform the CERT IC/TL immediately if it is known that people are in the building. |
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Term
Moderate damage - "Is it safe for the CERT members to attempt the rescue?"
(CERT Manual Page 6-12) |
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Definition
Locate
Triage (quickly evaluate, and treat Immediates for airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock)
Immediately evacuate victims to a safe area while minimizing both the number of rescuers inside the building and the amount of time that they remain inside. |
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Term
Light damage - "Is it safe for the CERT members to attempt the rescue?"
(CERT Manual Page 6-12) |
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Definition
Locate
Triage
Continue size-up
Document. |
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Term
What should the command post document?
(CERT Manual Page 6-14) |
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Definition
Situation status, including:
Incident locations
Access routes
Identified hazards
Support Locations |
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Term
Damage Assessment Form [CERT Form #1]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
The Damage Assessment Form is completed by CERT members as they travel through the area to the CERT’s staging location.
Fires
Utility hazards
Structural damage
Injuries and casualties
Available access
The form is then given to the CERT IC/TL. The form provides a summary of overall hazards in selected areas. The information is used for prioritizing and formulating activities. |
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Term
Personnel Resources Sign-In [CERT Form #2]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
Who is on site
When they arrived
When they were assigned
Their special skills
A scribe at the staging location signs in each volunteer using the Personnel Resources Sign-in Form, noting any particular preferred team assignments or skills. This information needs to be passed on to the Command Post. |
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Term
Incident/Assignment Tracking Log [CERT Form #3]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
The CERT IC/TL assembles teams and makes assignments based on the damage assessment information.
This person keeps the Incident/ Assignment Tracking Log, which is the most important tool for recording the activities of the functional teams and overall situation status. |
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Term
Briefing Assignment [CERT Form #4.a-b]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
The Briefing Assignment Form is shared by the Command Post and the functional team.
The CERT IC/TL uses the front side of the form to communicate instructions about an incident such as address, incident type, and team objectives.
The scribe of the functional team uses the back side (blank side) of the form to log team actions. The form is returned to the Command Post when the team checks in. |
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Term
Victim Treatment Area Record [CERT Form #5]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
| The Victim Treatment Area Record is used to document each person brought into the treatment area and his or her condition (Immediate, Delayed, or Minor) |
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Term
Communications Log [CERT Form #6(based on ICS 309)]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
| The Communications Log is used to log incoming and outgoing transmissions; it is typically kept by the radio operator. |
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Term
Equipment Inventory [CERT Form#7 (based on ICS 303)]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
Used to check out and check in CERT-managed equipment.
The Equipment Inventory is kept in the area or vehicle in which equipment is stored. |
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Term
General Message [CERT Form #8 (ICS 213)]
(CERT Manual Pages 6-16 & 6-18) |
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Definition
Used for sending messages between command levels and groups; messages should be clear and concise and should focus on such key issues as:
Assignment completion
Additional resources required
Special information
Status update |
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Term
What is the purpose of on-scene management?
(CERT Manual Page 6-2) |
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Definition
Maintain the safety of disaster workers
Provide clear leadership and organizational structure
Improve the effectiveness of rescue efforts |
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Term
What is ICS?
(CERT Manual Page 6-4) |
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Definition
The Incident Command System (ICS) is the system used by emergency response agencies to manage emergency operations.
When CERTs activate, they become part of that system. |
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Term
| What is the manageable span of control? (CERT Manual Page 6-8) |
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Definition
| In all situations, a manageable span of control is three to seven team members reporting to their designated leader. |
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Term
The specific CERT organizational structure and protocols provide:
(CERT Manual Page 6-2) |
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Definition
A well-defined management structure (e.g., leadership, functional areas, reporting chain, working in teams)
A manageable span of control that provides for a desirable rescuer-to-supervisor ratio of between three and seven rescuers per supervisor
Common terminology that contributes to effective communication and shared understanding
Effective communication among team members and with professional responders, including the use of radios |
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Term
CERT personnel assigned to Operations should always be assigned to teams consisting of:
(CERT Manual Page 6-8) |
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Definition
At least three to four persons:
One person will serve as runner and communicate with the Command Post.
Two people will "buddy up" to respond to the immediate needs.
Search and rescue teams must include at least four people, with a safety person remaining outside the area to be searched and at least two people to conduct the search. |
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Term
What is the key question that CERT leaders must always ask?
(CERT Manual Page 6-33) |
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Definition
"Is it safe for CERT members to attempt the rescue?"
Whether or not to attempt a rescue depends on the degree of damage to the structure involved.
Remember: CERT members’ safety is the number one priority. |
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