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**COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM**

**Participant Handbook**

**2**

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Federal Emergency Management Agency

Emergency Management Institute

National Fire Academy

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and
implemented by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985.
They recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during
the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly, LAFD decided
that some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would
improve the ability of citizens to survive until responders or other
assistance could arrive. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987
underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California.
Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet immediate
emergency needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness
Division with the purpose of training citizens in the CERT concept. As
of 1993, more than 8,000 people and 225 teams had been trained.

The training program LAFD initiated proved to be so beneficial that the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) felt the concept and the
program should be made available to communities nationwide. The
Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in cooperation with the LAFD, has
expanded the CERT materials to make them applicable to all hazards. The
goal of the training continues to be preparing people to help people.
Seeing the value of CERT, FEMA is committed to supporting the training
of local CERT teams across the nation. These teams too can assist with
saving lives and protecting property in the event of a major disaster.

Those who benefit from the training should thank the LAFD for their
vision and initiative in developing CERT, and for their willingness to
support FEMA's effort to share this program with communities across the
nation.

Further appreciation is given to the City of Oakland Fire Department,
the City of San Francisco Fire Department, and the City of Colorado
Springs Fire Department for their assistance in preparing the training
materials. Technical review performed by Jim O'Brien, Certified
Emergency Manager, Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas, Nevada, and
Battalion Chief Chris Hunter, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department,
Fairfax County, Virginia.

**About Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training**

If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and
equipped to handle emergencies and you should use them. However,
following a catastrophic disaster, you and the community may be on your
own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost
communications, and unpassable roads.

CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family,
and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because
emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone
immediately, you can make a difference by using the training in this
manual to save lives and protect property.

This training covers basic skills that are important to know in a
disaster when emergency services are not available. You will want to
help. With training and practice and by working as a team, you will be
able to do the greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster,
while protecting yourself from becoming a victim.

***Table Of Contents***

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Introduction***

When Disaster Strikes xv

Community Preparedness xvi

How CERT Teams Operate xvi

The CERT Training Program xvii

***Chapter I. Disaster Preparedness***

Disasters And Disaster Workers I-3

What Is A Disaster? I-3

Who Are "Disaster Workers"? I-4

Disaster Threats I-6

Earthquakes I-7

Introduction I-7

Earthquake Classifications I-7

Earthquake Prediction I-8

Hurricanes And Coastal Storms I-10

Introduction I-10

Hurricane Classifications I-10

Hurricane Prediction I-11

Tornadoes I-13

Introduction I-13

Tornado Classifications I-13

Tornado Prediction I-14

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter I. Disaster Preparedness** (Continued)*

Floods I-16

Introduction I-16

Flood Classifications I-16

Flood Prediction I-16

Blizzards I-17

Introduction I-17

Blizzard Classification I-17

Blizzard Prediction I-17

Hazardous Materials Accidents I-18

Introduction I-18

Hazardous Materials Classifications I-18

Hazardous Materials Accident Prediction I-18

Impact On The Infrastructure I-19

Introduction I-19

Emergency Services I-20

Structural And Nonstructural Hazards I-22

Introduction I-22

Hazards Related To Structure Type I-22

Nonstructural Hazards I-23

Disaster Hazard Mitigation I-24

Introduction I-24

Personal Safety I-24

Home And Worksite Preparations I-32

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter I. Disaster Preparedness** (Continued)*

Creating A Family Disaster Plan I-41

Community Preparations I-44

Protection For Disaster Workers I-45

Summary I-46

Assignment I-46

Additional Reading I-47

Additional Materials I-49

Community Emergency Response Team Checklist I-51

Recommended CERT Equipment And Supplies I-55

***Chapter II. Disaster Fire Suppression***

Introduction II-3

Fire Chemistry II-4

Hazardous Materials II-7

What Are Hazardous Materials? II-7

Identifying Stored Hazardous Materials II-8

Identifying Hazardous Materials In Transit II-9

Reducing Hazards In Home And Office II-11

Introduction II-11

Electrical Hazards II-11

Natural Gas Hazards II-13

Flammable Liquid Hazards II-15

CERT Size-Up II-16

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter II. Disaster Fire Suppression** (Continued)*

Firefighting Resources II-21

Extinguisher Rating And Labeling II-22

Types Of Fire Extinguishers II-23

Deciding To Use A Fire Extinguisher II-26

Operating A Fire Extinguisher II-27

Fire Suppression Safety II-29

Summary II-31

Assignment II-33

Additional Reading II-34

***Chapter III. Disaster Medical OperationsPart 1***

Introduction III-3

Recognizing And Treating Life-Threatening Conditions III-5

Introduction III-5

Opening The Airway III-5

Controlling Bleeding III-9

Recognizing And Treating For Shock III-15

Triage III-17

What Is Triage? III-17

Triage In A Disaster Environment III-19

Performing A Triage Evaluation III-20

Triage Planning III-22

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter III. Disaster Medical OperationsPart 1** (Continued)*

Summary III-23

Assignment III-25

Additional Reading III-26

***Chapter IV. Disaster Medical OperationsPart 2***

Introduction IV-3

Overview IV-3

Organization Of Disaster Medical Operations IV-4

Major Causes Of Injury IV-6

Conducting Head-To-Toe Assessments IV-7

Objective IV-7

Assessment Procedures IV-7

Closed Head, Neck, And Spinal Injuries IV-10

Establishing Treatment Areas IV-13

Treatment Area Layout IV-14

Treatment Area Organization IV-15

Treatment Area Planning IV-15

Treating Burns IV-16

Burn Classifications IV-16

Burn Treatment IV-18

Wound Care IV-19

Amputations IV-20

Impaled Objects IV-20

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter IV. Disaster Medical OperationsPart 2** (Continued)*

Treating Fractures, Sprains, And Strains IV-21

Fractures IV-21

Dislocations IV-23

Sprains And Strains IV-24

Nasal Injuries IV-25

Splinting IV-26

Treating Hypothermia IV-30

Treating Frostbite IV-31

Public Health Considerations IV-32

Introduction IV-32

Maintaining Hygiene IV-32

Maintaining Sanitation IV-33

Water Purification IV-33

Summary IV-34

Preparing For Disaster Medical Operations IV-37

Assignment IV-37

Additional Reading IV-38

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter V. Light Search And Rescue Operations***

Introduction V-3

What Is Search And Rescue? V-3

Objectives V-3

The Need For Planning V-3

Search And Rescue Resources V-4

Planning V-6

Introduction V-6

Assessing Needs And Risks V-6

Assessing Resources V-8

Search And Rescue Size-Up V-9

What Is Search And Rescue Size-Up? V-9

Step 1: Gather Facts V-10

Step 2: Assess Damage To The Building V-11

Step 3: Identify Your Resources V-13

Step 4: Establish The Rescue Priorities V-13

Step 5: Develop A Rescue Plan V-13

Step 6: Conduct The Rescue V-13

Step 7: Evaluate Your Progress V-13

Safety Considerations V-14

Evacuation V-15

Conducting Search Operations V-16

Introduction V-16

Locating Potential Victims V-16

Search Methodology V-19

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter V. Light Search And Rescue Operations** (Continued)*

Conducting Rescue Operations V-23

Introduction V-23

Creating A Safe Rescue Environment V-23

Removing Victims V-26

Summary V-34

Assignment V-37

Additional Reading V-37

Additional Materials V-39

Scenario V-1 V-41

Scenario V-2 V-42

Leveraging/Cribbing Operation V-43

Arrangement For Leveraging/Cribbing Operation V-44

Box Cribbing V-45

***Chapter VI. Disaster Psychology And Team Organization***

Pulling It All Together VI-3

Disaster Psychology VI-4

Phases Of A Crisis VI-4

Post-Event Psychological And Physiological Symptoms VI-5

Humanizing The Rescue Operation VI-6

Emotional First Aid For Rescuers VI-7

Emotional First Aid For Victims VI-8

***Table Of Contents***

*(Continued)*

**[Page]{.underline}**

***Chapter VI. Disaster Psychology And Team Organization** (Continued)*

CERT Organization VI-9

The Need For CERT Organization VI-9

Objectives Of The CERT Organization VI-10

CERT Structure VI-10

Incident Command System VI-12

CERT Decision Making VI-13

CERT Mobilization VI-13

Rescuer Safety VI-14

Documentation VI-17

The Need To Document VI-17

Forms For Documentation VI-18

Summary VI-24

Assignment VI-27

Additional Reading VI-27

Additional Materials VI-29

CERT Tabletop Exercise VI-31

Supplies And Equipment Available VI-33

Forms For Documentation VI-35

***Introduction***

***When Disaster Strikes***

The damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes,
tornadoes, and flooding affects all elements of society and government.
Catastrophic events:

 Severely restrict and overwhelm our response resources,
communications, transportation, and utilities.

 Leave many individuals and neighborhoods cut off from outside support.

It takes time for emergency response agencies to set up and prepare for
an organized effort, and damaged roads and disrupted communications
systems may restrict their access into critically affected areas. Thus,
for the initial period immediately following a disasteroften up to 72
hours or longerindividuals, households, and neighborhoods may need to
rely on their own resources for:

 Food

 Water

 First aid

 Shelter

Individual preparedness, planning, and survival skills and mutual aid
within neighborhoods and worksites during this initial period are
essential measures in coping in the aftermath of a disaster.

***Community Preparedness***

Community-based preparedness planning allows us to prepare for and
respond to the anticipated disruptions and potential hazards following a
disaster. As individuals we can prepare our homes and families to cope
during that critical period. Through pre-event planning, neighborhoods
and worksites can also work together to help reduce injuries, loss of
lives, and property damage. Neighborhood preparedness will enhance the
ability of individuals and neighborhoods to reduce their emergency needs
and to manage their existing resources until organized assistance
becomes available.

Studies of behavior following disasters have shown that groups working
together in the disaster period perform more effectively if there has
been prior planning for disaster response. These studies show that
organized grassroots efforts may be more successful if they are woven
into the social and political fabric of the communityneighborhood
associations, schools, workplaces, places of worship, and other existing
organizations.

Effective response therefore requires comprehensive planning and
coordination of all who will be involvedgovernment, volunteer groups,
private businesses, schools, and community organizations. With training
and information, individuals and community groups can be prepared to
serve as a crucial resource capable of performing many of the emergency
functions needed in the immediate post-disaster period. The Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to help communities
prepare for effective disaster response through training and
preplanning.

***How CERT Teams Operate***

As each CERT team is formed, its members select a team leader and an
alternate and identify an emergency meeting location, or *staging area*,
to be used in the event of an emergency. Teams are encouraged to go into
action even during relatively moderate emergenciesregardless of actual
needin order to gain practice mobilizing and assessing damage.

The staging area is where the fire department and other services will
interact with CERTs. Having a centralized contact point makes it
possible to communicate damage assessments and allocate volunteer
resources more effectively.

Damage from disasters may vary considerably from one location to
another. In an actual disaster, CERTs are deployed progressively and as
needs dictate. Members are taught to first assess their own needs and
those in their immediate environment.

***How CERT Teams Operate** (Continued)*

CERT members who encounter no need in their immediate area then report
to their staging area, where they take on assigned roles based on
overall area needs. Members who find themselves in a heavily affected
location send runners to staging areas to get help from available
resources. Ham and CB radio links also may be used to increase
communication capabilities and coordination.

The CERT program can provide an effective first-response capability.
Acting as individuals first, then later as members of teams, trained
CERT volunteers can fan out within their particular area, extinguishing
small fires, turning off natural gas inlets to damaged homes, performing
light search and rescue, and rendering basic first aid. Trained
volunteers also offer an important potential work- force to service
organizations in nonhazardous functions such as shelter support, crowd
control, and evacuation.

***The CERT Training Program***

In the next 7 sessions, you will be trained in such basic self-help and
mutual-aid emergency functions as:

 Emergency preparedness

 Fire suppression

 Utility control

 Disaster medical operations

 Light search and rescue

 Team organization

Classes are taught by trained emergency personnel, including
firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. The program
consists of 17 hours of training and emphasizes hands-on practice.

***The CERT Training Program** (Continued)*

CERT training is divided into 7 sessions covering the following topics:

+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| ***SESSION***           | ***TOPICS COVERED***                       |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *1. Disaster            |  Introduction to disasters                |
| Preparedness*           |                                            |
|                         |  Impact on infrastructure                 |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Building structures and nonstructural    |
|                         | items                                      |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Role of CERTs in disaster response       |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *2. Disaster Fire       |  Identifying and reducing potential fire  |
| Suppression*            | hazards                                    |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Basic fire suppression strategy          |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Firefighting resources                   |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Firefighting techniques                  |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *3. Disaster Medical    |  Treatment strategies for                 |
| OperationsPart 1*      | life-threatening conditions, including:    |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Airway obstruction                      |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Bleeding                                |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Shock                                   |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Principles of triage                     |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *4. Disaster Medical    |  Medical operations conducted within      |
| OperationsPart 2*      | treatment areas to which victims are sent  |
|                         | from triage, including:                    |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Head-to-toe patient assessment          |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Treatments for various injuries         |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Public health considerations            |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *5. Light Search And    |  Search and rescue priorities and         |
| Rescue Operations*      | resources                                  |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Techniques for situation size-up and     |
|                         | search                                     |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Lifting, cribbing, and victim removal    |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  Rescuer safety, including recognizing:   |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Rescuer limitations                     |
|                         |                                            |
|                         | \- Construction-related hazards            |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *6. Disaster Psychology |  The post-disaster emotional environment  |
| And Team Organization*  |                                            |
|                         |  CERT organization                        |
|                         |                                            |
|                         |  CERT decision making and documentation   |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| *7. Course Review And   | *Exercise:* Disaster Simulation            |
| Disaster Simulation*    |                                            |
+-------------------------+--------------------------------------------+

***The CERT Training Program** (Continued)*

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate and
identification that will identify you as an emergency response team
member during disaster response. You should purchase additional safety
equipment, such as goggles, gloves, and basic first aid supplies and
have them available for use during emergencies. (If you are a member of
a business or industry training group, your employer may supply these
items for you.)

Training in disaster response should not be a one-time event. Awareness,
commitment, and skills must be reinforced through followup training and
repeated practice in order to maintain the edge necessary for effective
response in the face of an emergency. In order to maintain your skill
level and continually improve performance, you and your team members
should participate in continuing supplemental training when offered in
your area. Working through practice disaster scenarios with other teams
will provide opportunities not only for extended practice but for
valuable networking with teams in the local area.