C.E.R.T

1. C.E.R.T Course Review

2. Preparedness

3. Preplanning Steps • Assemble Disaster Kit • food & water (1 gallon / person / day) • Non-food supplies • Locate Utility Shutoffs • Develop an escape Plan • Buy Fire Extinguisher • Secure water heater, appliances, heavy furniture • Have cash on-hand

4. Fire Subjects

5. Unit Objectives • Explain the role of CERTs in fire safety. • Identify and reduce potential fire risks in the home and workplace. • Conduct a basic sizeup for a fire emergency. • Understand basic safety precautions. • Identify hazardous materials in the home and community. • Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher.

6. The Fire Triangle • Heat • Fuel • Oxygen

7. Fire Chemistry Classes of fire: • A: Ordinary combustibles • B: Flammable and combustible liquids • C: Energized electrical equipment • D: Combustible metals

8. Reducing Fire Hazards in Home and Workplace • Read labels. • Use L.I.E.S. storage procedures (Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate).

9. CERT sizeup Answer these questions: • Can my buddy and I fight the fire safely? • Do we have the right equipment? • Are there other hazards? • Is the building structurally damaged? • Can we escape?

10. CERT Sizeup • Gather Facts. • Assess Damage. • Consider Probabilities. • Assess Your Situation. • Establish Priorities. • Make Decisions. • Develop Plans of Action . • Take Action. • Evaluate Progress.

11. Firefighting Resources Resources available: • Portable fire extinguishers • Wet standpipes • Confinement • “Creative” resources

12. P.A.S.S • Pull • Aim • Squeeze • Sweep Test the extinguisher before approaching any fire.

13. Fire Suppression Safety Do: • Use safety equipment. • Work in a buddy system. • Have a backup team. • Have two ways to exit. • Maintain a safe distance. • Overhaul the fire.

14. Fire Suppression Safety DON’T • Try to suppress large fires. • Get too close. • Fight it alone. • Enter smoke-filled areas.

15. Hazardous Materials . . . • Corrode other materials • Explode or are easily ignited • React strongly with water • Are unstable when exposed to heat or shock • Are toxic to humans, animals, or the environment

16. Identifying Stored Hazardous Materials Red – Flammable Blue – Health Yellow- Reactive White – Add’l Info

17. Search and Rescue Operations • Sizeup • Search involves: • Locating victims. • Documenting location. • Rescue involves procedures and methods to extricate victims

18. Decision To Attempt Rescue • Risk involved to the rescuer • Greatest good for greatest number of people

19. Goals of Search and Rescue • Rescue greatest number in shortest amount of time • Rescue lightly trapped victims first

20. Effective Search and Rescue • Effective sizeup • Rescuer safety • Victims safety

21. CERT Search and Rescue Sizeup • Gather Facts • Assess Damage • Consider Probabilities • Assess Your Situation • Establish Priorities • Make Decisions • Develop Plans of Action • Take Action • Evaluate Progress

22. Step 1: Gather Facts Consider the: • Time of event and day of week. • Type of structure. • Construction type. • Weather. • Hazards. Gather facts accurately.

23. Step 2: Assess and Communicate Damage CERT mission changes if: • Damage is light. • Damage is moderate. • Damage is heavy. Consider structure type and age. Never enter a structure with heavy damage!

24. Search and Rescue Slight Damage

25. Search and Rescue Moderate Damage

26. Search and Rescue Heavy Damage

27. Search and Rescue sizeup • Personnel • Tools • Equipment

28. Safety Considerations • Make rescuer safety your primary concern. • Use a buddy system. • Be alert for hazards. • Use safety equipment. • Rotate teams. Teamwork=Success

29. Safety Considerations Wear Personal Protective Equipment • Hardhat • Eye Protection • Work Gloves

30. Effective Search Methodology • Indicates rescuer location • Prevents duplication of effort

31. Search Methods • Call out to victims. • Use systematic search pattern. • Stop frequently to listen. • Triangulate. • Mark searched areas to document results. • Report results.

32. Conducting Search Operations

33. Conducting Rescue Operations Primary Functions: • Creating safe rescue environment • Lift objects out of the way. • Use tools to move objects. • Remove debris. • Triaging or stabilizing victims • Removing victims

34. Creating a Safe Environment Goals: • Maintain rescuer safety. • Triage in lightly and moderately damaged buildings. • Evacuate victims quickly from moderately damaged buildings-minimize injury.

35. Precautions to Minimize Risk Safe Environment: • Know your limitations • Follow safety procedures. • Remove debris by: • Leveraging. • Cribbing.

36. Removing Victims Types of victim removal include: • Self-removal or assist. • Lifts and drags. Allow victims to extricate themselves when possible.

37. Extrication Method Depends upon: • General stability of immediate environment. • Number of rescuers available. • Strength and ability of rescuers. • Condition of victim.

38. Medical Subjects

39. Unit Objectives 1. Identify the “killers.” 2. Apply techniques for opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock. 3. Conduct triage under simulated disaster conditions.

40. Treatment of Life-Threatening Conditions The “Killers”: • Airway obstruction • Excessive bleeding • Shock

41. Unit Introduction Topics: • Public health concerns • Organization of disaster medical operations • Establishing treatment areas • Conducting head-to-toe assessments • Treating injuries

42. Disaster Psychology

43. Unit Objectives • Describe the disaster and post-disaster emotional environment. • Describe the steps that rescuers can take to relieve their own stress and those of disaster survivors.

44. Possible Psychological Symptoms • Irritability, anger • Self-blame, blaming others • Isolation, withdrawal • Fear of recurrence • Feeling stunned, numb, or overwhelmed • Feeling helpless • Mood swings • Sadness, depression, grief • Denial • Concentration, memory problems • Relationship conflicts/marital discord

45. Possible Physiological Symptoms • Loss of appetite • Headaches, chest pain • Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea • Hyperactivity • Increase in alcohol or drug consumption • Nightmares • Inability to sleep • Fatigue, low energy

46. Victim Well-Being • Encourage victim to talk about it • Be a good Listener • Establish Rapport • Empathize • Provide Confidentiality

47. Team Well-Being CERT team leaders should: • Provide pre-disaster stress management training. • Brief personnel before response. • Emphasize teamwork. • Encourage breaks. • Provide for proper nutrition. • Rotate. • Phase out workers gradually. • Conduct a brief discussion. • Arrange for a post-event debriefing.

48. Reducing Stress • Get enough sleep. • Exercise. • Eat a balanced diet. • Balance work, play, and rest. • Allow yourself to receive as well as give. Remember that your identity is broader than that of a helper. • Connect with others. • Use spiritual resources.

49. Avoid Saying . . . • “I understand.” • “Don’t feel bad.” • “You’re strong/You’ll get through this.” • “Don’t cry.” • “It’s God’s will.” • “It could be worse” or “At least you still have . . .”

50. Organization