Thanks Dave, Tom and the group for taking the time to add this important topic to the NET.
Also thanks to Patrick Horgan, K6SML, for leading the discussion. I look forward to hearing what others are doing in their communities to be more resilient before, during, and after events and emergencies.
My Name is Gabriel and I have been volunteering with CERT for over 7 years now, here in the city of Rancho Cucamonga.
https://www.cityofrc.us/cityhall/fire_d ... (cert).asp
Currently, I serve both as an Instructor and member of our cities ACERT team or (Advanced CERT). I also participate with our Auxiliary Communications Service.
I am absolutely graced with a wonderful city here in the inland empire. Not only do we have a great Fire District with a Firefighting Academy, but we also have a fulltime Emergency Manager, as well as a fulltime CERT coordinator. The pièce de résistance is our emergency operations center (a REAL ONE) complete with everything from large format plotters, huge computer screens (projection) and over 30 stations not to include our communications center.
So, I am graced like I mentioned. I feel very safe here.
Our city has very robust CERT, and volunteer programs. Currently, we have partnered with, and trained many of the businesses in our city, (Business Emergency Response Team). We also have two TEEN CERT programs now in our high schools, as well as a long-running Campus CERT program at Chaffey Community College. Additionally we have established several "partnerships" with the many "Faith Based" programs throughout the community. If that wasn't enough we also have HONEYVILLE FARMS in our city.
http://honeyville.com/store/events/cate ... amonga-ca/
So yah, like I mentioned.... I am GRACED.
Currently, our ACERT team meets monthly and we always have training on the schedule. This Saturday we will be training with the "Save the Children" to learn more about the unique needs of children during disasters, and later this month we will be doing some training over ICS, NIMS, and SEMS. Future training includes a County Wide CERT Cup Competition, and training with other programs in our area.
Our ACERT team is made up of highly trained individuals who have all been credentialed. All ACERT team members are required to have an FCC Technicians License. ACERT members are privy to much additional training to include: CPR/AED, basic lifesaver, first aid, hazmat, Large animal, Flood Response, and Firefighter Rehab. Every Monday we get together over the radio and conduct repeater and simplex operations. We usually conduct two BASIC TRAINING cycles a year, one around spring, and then another later in September. Normally, our CERT BASIC course is a month long, and students go to class 2 times a week to cover the required hours of instruction. However, we have started to offer a "condensed" course that is held on a Friday, Sat, Sun. We've gotten good reviews. Its a great class for those who cannot make regular instruction due to work, or other responsibilities.
Other annual events include traffic control for the "GRAPESTOMP MARATHON", National Night Out, and the many various outreach we conduct for both the city and county.
KNOWLEDGE IS KING! its always with you, and its the lightest thing in your kit!...Start training NOW! through the FEMA INDEPENDENT STUDY Program. Take it online at your leisure
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseover ... ode=IS-317 if you want the knowledge but don't need the badge.
SECOND STEPS: IS-100: The Incident Command System
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseover ... e=is-100.b
THIRD STEP: IS-200.B: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseover ... e=IS-200.b
FOURTH STEP:IS-700.A: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseover ... e=IS-700.a
FIFTH STEP: IS-800.B: National Response Framework, An Introduction
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseover ... e=IS-800.b
WANT THE MANUAL?
HERE YOU GO, ITS ALL HERE,HAVE AT IT!
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/asse ... ents/27403
Here is Uplands CERT trailer, we have one like it thanks to a uasi grant.
This is the "BEAST" that county brought to our annual "HANDS ON TRAINING." it was something else, safer than a pan fire and it doesn't require an AQMD report.
Etiwanda High School TEEN CERT....hoot, hoot, way to go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O57ogCO7W94
FRANK BORDEN...THE FATHER OF CERT...
CERT IS FOR EVERYONE, and if you ONLY speak Spanish...no problemo, we gotcha covered!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7_-ySdyId8
NEED TO FIND A CERT PROGRAM....here it is
https://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams
Our EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES....
http://www.caloes.ca.gov/
CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS
http://www.californiavolunteers.org/