CERT-COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
Society board member Michael Steinhauer has an extensive background in county emergency management (Wisconsin), and has recently completed Palm Beach County (PBC) CERT training, readying him as a CERT Team Leader. Here are a few areas of practice that a well staffed, properly supplied CERT might provide (unique to Palm Beach County usual and customary practices). All these activities would be appropriately and professionally documented for After Action Reports and reviews of our accountability for our work. Each activity or function is based on the Incident Command System (ICS), a part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), with a well-defined management structure, span of control, common terminology, effective communication, working with the media, mobilization protocols, and on-scene size up.
We will be offering classes conducted by PBC Fire and Rescue Community Education staff and The Red Cross; while seeking Lake Park resident volunteers (doctors, nurses, therapists, those with chainsaws or rakes, etc.), with any expertise or interest in the following response scope of service:
- Basic first-response capability i.e. light search and rescue, first aid, medical triage, eyes and ears for uniformed emergency responders, workforce to serve in non-hazardous functions (like staffing shelters, crowd control and evacuation management).
- Parade route control (like at intersections, freeing up police to do more critical work).
- Assist in training residents about alerts, sheltering in place (individual and family readiness kits, food requirements), emergency and disaster readiness planning. Organizing exercises and drills to ready residents.
- Participating on the local collaborative planning councils.
- Educating residents on evacuation routes (and what to take with you), and expectations if a community shelter is opened.
- Organize a medical reserve corp of volunteer health workers, mental health workers, transportation opportunities, animal/pet care.
- Lead workplace readiness surveys and the associated standardized continuity of business practices. Offer services to long term care and rehabilitation facilities, group homes, etc.
- Debris removal.
- Meeting the needs of special populations (disabled, elderly, young children, people with developmental disabilities), by providing specific services required.
- Identify natural community hazards and assist residents in preparing for an unplanned incident.
There are other potential contributions as well, generally tailored from participating in planning meetings with uniformed first responders, government leaders, faith based organizations, grocery and hardware stores, Target and Walmart, etc. All activities are dependent on the residents of Lake Park to volunteer their contribution to civic engagement and duty in making Lake Park the best possible place to live. Supplies to support our work are requested, or funds to purchase items like 2 way radios, CERT vests, flashlights, gloves, spray paint, CERT hardhats, etc. are respectfully needed.