Kellye Junchaya: Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum Round Table! Kellye Junchaya: The Round Table today is our monthly CFP discussion, and I am pleased to serve as your host. Kellye Junchaya: A couple of quick reminders for any first timers with us today... Kellye Junchaya: The session will consist of about fifteen minutes of introduction and overview, and then we will open it up to audience participation. Kellye Junchaya: If a URL is displayed in the chat window, it will appear blue. If you click on it, it will open the linked Web page in your browser window. Kellye Junchaya: After the first one, the window may not come to the top automatically, and be hidden behind your chat screen. Use the buttons on your status bar to bring the browser window forward. Kellye Junchaya: Our topic today is "The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) model" Kellye Junchaya: We are please to present the speaker for today's topic, Sam Isenberger. Sam Isenberger is a Training Specialist in the Preparedness Branch at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). Kellye Junchaya: As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, EMI personnel develop and deliver training for local, state, and federal personnel. Kellye Junchaya: In 1993, Mr. Isenberger and Human Technology, Inc. worked with Los Angeles City Fire Department to distribute their Community Emergency Response Team concept nationally. Presently communities in 22 States offer the training. Kellye Junchaya: Also joining Mr. Isenberger is Frank J. Lucier, President of North American Emergency Management. While with the San Francisco Fire Department, Frank was the developer and manager of the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) training program and response system. Kellye Junchaya: In the eight years that he directed the program over 8,000 people were trained in basic disaster skills. Following his retirement from the Department, Frank created and is currently the editor of The Connection, an electronic newsletter dealing with community training Kellye Junchaya: and response issues. Kellye Junchaya: see http://www.naem.com/connection.html Kellye Junchaya: Thank you both for being here! Sam, would you like to start by giving us an overview of CERT, please. Sam Isenberger: Disaster educators tell people that they need to have supplies on-hand for at least three days in preparation for a major disaster. However, the impact of the disaster may do more than disrupt services and deprive people of basic needs. Sam Isenberger: People will be hurt, will need medical attention and will face potentially dangerous hazards. Because of overwhelming needs, inaccessible roads, downed communication lines and limited response resources, professional responders will not be able to help for awhile because there are too many needs and too few people and resources. People in neighborhoods will have to care for each other. How do we prepare them for this? Sam Isenberger: We empower them to get involved. We integrate them into our local government's response capability. We train them in the necessary skills to care for themselves, family members, and neighbors, safely and effectively. Sam Isenberger: Government officials and emergency manager personnel in many communities have accepted this challenge and taken on the responsibility to prepare people in neighborhoods. They clearly tell their citizens what might happen following a major disaster and the role they will have to perform. Then, response personnel train them in the skills to perform these disaster-related responsibilities. Sam Isenberger: They use the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) model developed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department. The CERT concept prepares people in neighborhoods to respond to immediate needs following a major disaster. Response personnel train CERT members to gather information, determine priorities, and respond within the scope of their training to treat victims and protect property. Sam Isenberger: Is this approach realistic? Past events have shown that people in neighborhoods are the only immediate source of help and will spontaneously try to assist others. Knowing this, it makes sense to prepare and train civilians to do the job that they will have to do when no one else is available. Sam Isenberger: One need only to look at the recent events in Turkey to see the value of having neighborhoods trained in basic response skills. Were there people who died but could have been saved if they had received immediate help from neighbors? In a report about the Kobe Earthquake, "officials state that the protracted death rate could have been as high as 30%. They strongly feel that additional first aid training to the lay public is essential to Kobe's future." Sam Isenberger: The CERT program involves 18 hours of basic training usually given in 2 1/2 hour blocks over a seven-week period. The training actively involves the participants by having the instructor demonstrate the skills and then having the participant practice them. Sam Isenberger: Session one involves educating the participant about preparing for and mitigating against hazards where they live. Session two covers fire suppression that includes using a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire, recognizing hazardous materials situations, and shutting off utilities when necessary. Sam Isenberger: Session three includes training on triaging victims and treating the "3" killers - blocked airway, bleeding, and shock. Session four involves the participant in conducting head to toe assessments, setting up a treatment area, treating injuries, and maintaining hygiene. Session five covers determining the extent of damage to buildings, conducting search and rescue operations, and cribbing objects. Sam Isenberger: Session six includes information on team organization, decision-making, documentation and disaster psychology. The final session is a chance for the participants to again practice their skills by going through practice stations or participating in a mock disaster exercise. Sam Isenberger: What does it take to start a program? First, the community must accept the fact that following a major disaster civilians will be on their own and need to care for each other. Second, government officials and response personnel need to accept that government has a responsibility to train civilians to be part of the solution in meeting their own needs following a disaster. Finally, citizens and government working together need to commit to giving the time and funding to implement the program. Sam Isenberger: Even if there is never a disaster in the CERT community, the program has benefits. Civilians completing the program understand emergency management and are sensitized to preparedness and mitigation procedures. CERT participants and response personnel form relationships that benefit both. Finally, CERT members become potential volunteers to augment the community's emergency management resources. David Kauer: How do you educate people of a community to depend on each during an emergency when they are led to believe take the county, state, and federal disaster management personnel have everything under control and equipment in place to take care of their needs Sam Isenberger: There are examples where CERT members used their training. CERT members helped at fire stations during Florida's wildfires handling donations and performing administrative functions. They have conducted community education campaigns and canvassed neighborhoods to determine resources and special needs. They have staffed medical aid booths during parades. They have used their skills to aid accident victims. So, CERT skills training is useful both in disasters and in our daily life Kellye Junchaya: We will take questions at the end David. Sam Isenberger: This is an overview of the Community Emergency Response Team concept. To learn more about CERT, visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/emi/cert Kellye Junchaya: I will give you a moment to check out the website. Kellye Junchaya: (Or to catch up reading all the information!) Kellye Junchaya: Thank you Sam for an excellent overview. Frank, would you like to add a few comments? Frank Lucier: I received an e-mail from a CERT team member in Florida last evening. The were having a team meeting to plan for the up coming storm. It's just one example of hope this process works. Frank Lucier: It's the community taking responsibility for their preparedness. Kellye Junchaya: Did you want to add anything else? Frank Lucier: I will help answer any questions Sam Isenberger: Hello Rachel. Glad you can join us. Kellye Junchaya: Ok. We will now give the audience an opportunity to ask questions or give comments, however please first enter just a question mark to indicate you wish to contribute, prepare your comment, but wait until you are recognized by name... Rick Tobin: ? Kellye Junchaya: then either hit the Enter key or click on the Send button. We will take comments in the order the question marks are submitted. We are ready to start now. Jan Nickerson: ? Kellye Junchaya: Let's start with David and then we'll take Rick. Tim McHargue: ? Kellye Junchaya: (David Kauer, that is.) Pat Maxwell: ?Pat Maxwell Lynda OrzenSzeplaka: ? Kellye Junchaya: David, did you want to ask your question again? Sam Isenberger: David asked how you motivate people? You need to tell them the truth. following a major event, they will be on their own. Russell Coile: ? Kellye Junchaya: Rick, please. Rick Tobin: One of my clients, a University in California, uses CERT Teams on campus quite successfully. It's a great program. How many schools are using CERT, to your knowledge? Libbi RuckerReed: ? Sam Isenberger: Rick I do not have number. However, schools in Utah, WA, and OR use CERT. Kellye Junchaya: Jan, you're next. Jan Nickerson: I am not an EM professional, but a concerned citizen. And I'm concerned that my local EMs are the "WE'LL solve the problems around here" types. How can I get them to consider CERT in my home town? Sam Isenberger: Frank: do you want to answer this? Frank Lucier: I think that there is a standard of care in this Country and that standard is to train the community Frank Lucier: It is possible that your EMs are not aware of this program Kellye Junchaya: Tim, please. Frank Lucier: You might bring it to their attention Jan Nickerson: I'll try. They tend to be so "paternalistic ("Now don't you worry about this, that's our problem") that I am dubious of getting their attention Rachel Jacky: Greeting from the upper left coast, home of floods, ice storms, and major earthquakes sometime in the foreseeable future...We had one or two of our officers in the fire department who understood the implications of a major earthquake here and our inability to deal with it. They took the idea forward and had the credibility to get it started. We do still have the some folks among the PROFESSIONALS who don't get it. Lois McCoy: ? Kellye Junchaya: Rachel Jacky, Coordinator for Portland Fire Bureau's Neighborhood Emergency Team Program Sam Isenberger: Jan: we have seen many disaster where resources and personnel are overwhelmed. If you accept that fact, then EM need to look at options - CERT being one. Kellye Junchaya: Tim, go ahead with your question, please. Kellye Junchaya: Let's move on to Lynda. Jan Nickerson: Maybe we can pursue this at the end, if there's time. And let others ask their question Lynda OrzenSzeplaka: I have been a member of the NERT team in Oregon City, OR. The beginning of this year we started a NERT newsletter and an advisory. One of the first items we address with the advisory was to create a combined NERT and HAM radio operators drill. Have many other teams conducted combined drills with HAM radio operators? Rachel Jacky: We use ham radios. As each neighborhood team gets organized, they identify a ham radio operator for the team. Sometimes it is a person that has gone through the team training first and then gets his/her no-code tech license… Sam Isenberger: Ham operators are an important resource. We recommend using them. Many communities do. Lynda OrzenSzeplaka: I will go on to say that I was also part of the NERT Rodeo last year that was headed up by Rachel and greatly inspired us for our drill. Rachel Jacky: and sometimes it is a more experienced radio operator in the neighborhood who becomes an adjunct team member. Their job is to relay messages between the team leader and the EOC, mostly to report incidents that the team has found but cannot handle (like a fully involved structure or one that is collapsed)… Kellye Junchaya: (Lynda, you'll have to let me know how you pronounce your last name sometime!) Pat, you're next please. Frank Lucier: San Francisco has been combining the two for years and have developed a communications network using HAMS ChristopherEffgen: ? Mark Sullivan: Mark Sullivan? Kellye Junchaya: Sorry, did not mean to cut you off. Pat, please. Pat Maxwell: I work for the Dept of Defense (Defense Supply Center Phila) We have reengineered our organization to better serve our soldiers. We are a worldwide supplier of military and commercial items. We have Prime Vendors in place to handle surge requirements. I think our organization can help mitigate disaster in our community and around the world. But we are only a backup to DOD. i.e. FEMA only uses us after other partners vs. using us first. Who or what can we do to get recognized? We can … Sam Isenberger: Pat: I need to know more. Call me at 301-447-1071 Pat Maxwell: provide items such as sandbags, cots, blankets, food, clothing, firetrucks and equipment, general & industrial type items, Kellye Junchaya: Russell, I believe you are next. Russell Coile: Frank Lucier and his instructors came to Monterey, California each year for 3 years... Russell Coile: for his firefighters to train local firefighters to be instructors. Could EMI or the Fire... Russell Coile: Academy figure out a way to have this sort of program. Distance learning has problems Russell Coile: compared to this hands-on-training. Sam Isenberger: EMI sponsors at a CERT TTT in Emmitsburg, MD. We also have funded State conducted TTT. Talk with your State Training Office about what is available. Russell Coile: Thank you. Kellye Junchaya: Libbi, please. Libbi RuckerReed: With regard to Local Elected Officials, who DONT want the public to think they cannot handle emergencies, how do you convince them this is a positive approach in order to enlist their support and backing in promoting CERTs? Libbi RuckerReed: Second part, who is approved to take the TTT courses??? Sam Isenberger: Frank: Give it a try Frank Lucier: I would suggest bringing them to one of the classes so they could see for them selves Frank Lucier: Elected officials are influenced by the public Frank Lucier: It's worked in other communities Amy Sebring: ? LAFD PIO: As far a selling officials in the efficacy of CERT, have them make their next trip to SoCa (Disneyland) a tax-deductible endeavor by visiting with us at the LAFD LAFD PIO: We are happy to share Libbi RuckerReed: LOL LOL.....good idea! Lynda OrzenSzeplaka: Our Mayor is a HAM radio operator and helped us set up for our drill in Oregon City. Kellye Junchaya: Sam do you want to address the second part of Libbi's question? Sam Isenberger: Libbi: We ask that the person attending come from emergency management and response agencies for the community. We like to see people with the subject matter background and skills in instructing adults. Rachel Jacky: We've had some luck with officials here who believe that the CERT-type programs are about both preparedness and response. They can't really support preparedness without supporting overall community involvement in em management. We also just went ahead and trained our first 100 folks without support of the electeds, and then they couldn't not support the development of the program. Guerilla warfare. Kellye Junchaya: Lois, you're up. Libbi RuckerReed: I agree....was just wondering if it was restricted to STATE EM personnel only. I am a local EM A/D. Jon Kavanagh: ? Sam Isenberger: Libbi: We want local responder to come. This is a grass roots program. In some States, communities have started CERT without any State support. Kellye Junchaya: Christopher, please. ChristopherEffgen: There does seem to be some reluctance by some EM's to get behind the CERT concept. And it seems to me that FEMA does not push the CERT concept as hard as it could. What plans if any does FEMA have to promote the development and organization of new CERT's? Kellye Junchaya: (For anybody joining late: CERT = Community Emergency Response Team) Russell Coile: ? Bill Sanford: I am a member of the CERT Team in Havelock, NC. We have had two classes with about 20 trained members. We fall under the control of the city police department, which is where my question comes in. Being under the umbrella of the Police Dept , they are restricted in how they can solicit funding. I've seen with the Salt Lake City CERT Program, they have a board that is responsible for the CERT Program and as such seems to have the authority to seek funding. Information on fund raising (grants Kellye Junchaya: Frank do you want to respond to Christopher and then Bill. Mark Sullivan: Sorry, temporary power outage.? Frank Lucier: CERT is a grass roots program. EMI supplies the tools but it is up to the community to take responsibility for their preparedness Frank Lucier: It's not really about emergency managers but the community Rachel Jacky: Our base funding comes from the City, but many of our individual teams have done some fundraising or solicited donations of equipment, They just found another community groups--like their local neighborhood association--that had tax-exempt status and that group received the contribution for the team. It grassroots and links community groups, too. Lynda OrzenSzeplaka: ? Kellye Junchaya: Mark, it is your turn. Mark Sullivan: I live in Gallup NM where can I get involved without getting on a plane? Frank Lucier: I would suggest talking to your local fire department of emergency managers WN Naegeli: ? Mark Sullivan: Thank you Kellye Junchaya: Jon, please Jon Kavanagh: I think that w/ Floyd, this could be a big stepping stone for the overall program... LAFD PIO: Many of you have sent private messages seeking info on CERT in Los Angeles. you can obtain data and contact info at: www.lafd.org/cert.htm Jon Kavanagh: but that there will have to be a decent media push in order for some of these reluctant local officials to take notice as to the worthwhileness of the program... Jon Kavanagh: Now the question... Sam Isenberger: Florida State Emergency Management and many communities have embraced CERT. It is a very active State. NC is also active. Bill Sanford: Rachel, it's great to have the cities support - which we do as long as it doesn't mean financial support. Thought about seeking surplus supplies from DOD. Very interested in making contact with CERT Team around the country to further discuss funding, my email is billsanford@cconnect.net Jon Kavanagh: Even though CERT is still grass roots, is there any hope/talk of making it a state-wide response type system, where counties can send a (larger) team into an affected area, to augment activities/responses happening there? Rachel Jacky: Bill, I'll be in touch about some of the approaches we've used. It's an ongoing challenge. Sam Isenberger: Steve: good idea Frank Lucier: The scope of the training is neighborhood response. Even though these people have been trained it is to a basic level.. Linda Underwood: Those seeking info on CERT in Los Angeles can also visit www.cert-la.com , a site for CERT graduates Jon Kavanagh: Is there a step between CERT and being on, say, a FEMA USAR team? Jon Kavanagh: other than the local FD.... Bill Sanford: Rachel, thank you very much. I believe that if "we" network on this many of us can get funding answers with out trying to get the $$ out of the same pocket! Rachel Jacky: Jon, the furthest we've extended team operations outside of their own neighborhoods is citywide Kellye Junchaya: I believe I skipped Barbara, you can go next. Barbara Sims: How can neighborhood teams obtain training when local electeds won't cooperate? Who would train our 100 volunteers in Detroit? Mark Sullivan: ? Sam Isenberger: Amy is talking about WWW.fema.gov/emi/cert. You can subscribe to get messages and ask questions. Amy Sebring: Yes, Sam has a mailing list on this that you can sign up for. Bill Sanford: Kellye, sorry I've jumped all over your moderation. We are in Floyd's path and I've taken a break from boarding up to get in on this. Thanks all for the info, great forum...lets do it again after Floyd as a lessons learned item. Be safe! Kellye Junchaya: Unfortunately, we are about out of time for our formal discussion. Please feel free to stay and continue but I need to officially end the session. Kellye Junchaya: Thank you so much Sam, Frank and Rachel. You did a wonderful job. Kellye Junchaya: And thank you audience for your participation. We had such a good turn out today and the discussion was very informative. Thanks to all. Amy Sebring: see http://www.fema.gov/emi/cert/certlst.htm for mailing list subscription form Kellye Junchaya: I know we did not get to everybody's question so please stick around and continue if you can. Sam Isenberger: Barbara: I believe CERT needs to be integrated into the community's emergency operation plan. If the community will not support the program. I suggest that you approach the American Red Cross or the emergency manager about disaster preparedness training. Rachel Jacky: Thanks, Kellye, for hosting us. Kellye Junchaya: Before I turn the time over to Avagene for upcoming events, I would like to give Amy the floor for a moment. Amy Sebring: Now for a brief "commercial" ... we have several Friends of EIIP with us today, folks who have made a pledge to attend at least one online session per month, and we appreciate their support. Amy Sebring: We are also pleased to welcome several "new faces" today and hope you will come again, and consider making a pledge. See http://www.emforum.org/eiip/pledge.htm for more info. Amy Sebring: Today we would like to acknowledge a new pledge from Marcos Moulier. //bell http://www.emforum.org/pledge.wav Thanks Marcos! Kellye Junchaya: Avagene, can you please tell us what is coming up in the Virtual Forum? Avagene Moore: Thank you, Kellye. Very interesting session today, Sam. We appreciate your time and effort today. Good audience too. ... Avagene Moore: Join us tomorrow, Weds Sept 15, 12 Noon ET, for a discussion about the Gulf States Shelter Survey. Our speakers are Dr Marc Levitan, LSU -- Marc will cover what is going on in Louisiana -- - and Andy Crawford, State of Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Good timely topic. Avagene Moore: Next Tuesday's Round Table (Sept 21) is hosted by the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) and will feature Wayne Powell of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Wayne will discuss the 25th Anniversary of "America Burning." Avagene Moore: On Weds Sept 22, the Tech Arena features "Advanced Information Technology for ... Avagene Moore: Crisis Response" by William T. Turnbull, Deputy Director, Office of HPCC, NOAA. Mark all of these on your calendar - - very informative sessions! Avagene Moore: That's it for now, Kellye. Kellye Junchaya: Thanks again everybody. It seems to be a common concern to get the EM's interested or motivated in CERT. Perhaps we can get some ideas for our next newsletter on this subject.