GMU -- CERT

In August 2003, the George Mason University Safety Office staff was
asked by the President's Office to investigate the possibility of
creating a CERT team at its main campus in Fairfax County, Virginia. The
first step in the process was to assemble a list of potential candidates
for the team and contact the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department and
arrange for training of the team. The Volunteer Coordinator of the
County, Mr. Robert Mizer, agreed to integrate the University's team into
the County's CERT program and, while a training schedule was being
prepared, we began to advertise for team members.

George Mason University is located in Northern Virginia and consists of
three campuses. One of the sites is located in Arlington County, a short
distance from the Pentagon and, because of what took place there on
September 11, a number of students, faculty, and staff were looking for
ways to become involved in the safety and security of the University.
CERT was a natural outlet for these people and some of them were the
first to step forward and sign on to the program.

Training began at the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Academy in January
2004 with a team consisting of twelve people. Though the County agreed
to fund the training and outfit the team, the University purchased all
equipment and is reimbursing team members for personal safety equipment
that they purchased. Training concluded in late March with an exercise
that included over forty victims at a simulated earthquake and building
collapse at the Academy.

Midway through the training the team was encouraged to formally organize
and establish a set of Standard Operating Procedures. By using the
information provided by FEMA, the team quickly established an
organizational framework and drafted operating procedures that they will
continue to update as the team progresses. They have also quickly
realized that the only way to enhance their skills is to participate in
regularly scheduled training sessions. A training officer has been
appointed and is organizing a schedule that includes more in-depth EMS
skills, advanced rope techniques, and more practice in working within
the Incident Command System.

As with most CERT groups, one of the challenges that face the GMU team
is to retain the current level of enthusiasm during non-emergency
periods. We have attempted to address this issue by having the entire
team meet individually with the heads of the Safety Office, Police
Department, and the Director of Fire Safety. Each of these officials has
made a commitment that they will develop programs that will utilize the
team. For example, during Mason Day, an annual daylong celebration of
spring that includes eight hours of live music and games for the
students, GMU -- CERT staffed the first aid tent and dealt with a steady
stream of minor first aid issues. Members of the team also recently
participated as simulators and "runners" during the University's latest
functional exercise, a hazardous substance event that tested the
emergency plans of most of the University's operational departments. We
are also investigating ways to integrate the team into the University's
Building Coordinator and Fire Warden programs.

GMU -- CERT has only been active for a number of months but it has
already made a very positive impact on the University because of its
commitment to making GMU a safer place for its students, faculty, staff,
and visitors. The enthusiasm shown by all its members has convinced me
that establishing a team is one of the best things a community can do
for those citizens or employees who "want to get involved". Anyone
wishing further information about GMU -- CERT and how it has been
organized can contact me at jcallan@gmu.edu.