Ideas to Implement CERT for Pandemic Response

[Sally Furniss]

I have been reading Black November by Geoffrey Rice.
It is a detailed book giving a great deal of factual data on the morbidity and mortality of various communities within New Zealand. As well as lots of information on the level of help each community received.

The message that is repeated over and over in the book is that there was a far lower mortality rate in the communities that had the greatest help from their local community. The lower mortality rate relied a great deal on volunteer help within the community.

How can volunteers help in a modern day community assuming a pandemic similar to the 1918 flu?

[Laidback Al]

What kind of volunteer help in the community had the most effect on lowering fatalities?

[Sally Furniss]

Cities were divided up into blocks. So that skills and resources were not centralised and could be more easily distributed.

Each day contact was made with each household to see if they needed help. Communication was by means of waving white handkerchief, this could be done by telephone now? Redydration solutions and invalids foods were left at the door. Transport to hospital was arranged for serious cases.

[Laidback Al]

Local communities in our area have community emergency response teams (CERT). In some communities they are fairly well organized and will serve the local functions you note during a pandemic. More information can be found at

https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/index.shtm

I don't think this is a well publicized program. It would be very useful for a local community during any kind of disaster or emergency.

[sharon sanders]

STATE DIRECTORY FOR EXISTING CERT GROUPS

https://www.citizencorps.gov/citizen...ertsByState.do

This is from the website for my area. Community Emergency Response Training

People helping people

Emergency response organizations understand that initially following a major disaster, they will not have the resources or capability to meet the demand. They will have to prioritize the use of their response resources. Accepting this, agencies find that Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) empowers family members, neighbors, and the community with the means to care for themselves until more help arrives. CERT connects the professional response community with the people it serves. The training emphasizes mitigation, preparedness activities and response skills for the hazards that the community may face.

CERT training is design to cover the following

Session I: Disaster Preparedness Session II: Fire Suppression Session III: Disaster medical operations, triage and treating life-threatening injuries Session IV: Disaster medical operations, assessment, treatment, and hygiene Session V: Light search and rescue Session VI: Team organization and disaster psychology. Session VII: Final Exercise Each session requires 2 to 3 hours to complete.

What you can expect from training

CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency service personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using the training 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. Your ability to recover depends on your planning.

[sharon sanders]

Glad you brought that up. Many CERT programs are adapting to a potential pandemic situation. Plus, this training is great in any case.

[Mellie]

The small size (local) approach and the form are the important aspects, in my opinion. This relates to workable units within which people somehow can get to know and identify with each other.

I always think in terms of LCES (famous Wildland Fire Acronym) and how to structure those safety considerations. Thinking within a small geographical group/area/ neighborhood helps:

Lookouts
Communications
Escape Routes
Safety Zones

Identify the needs AnneZ talks about and then add it to training. Communication and preps with identification of the vulnerable folks who might need help (with communications, establishing their safety zones, etc) -- I think this will be the key.

More thinking on this after the holiday...

[sharon sanders]

I am wondering if there is a "short cut" by using the existing Neighborhood Watch framework to implement basic training and neighborhood cohesiveness.

Comments anyone?

[Christian Rivers]

Yes, building on existing Neighborhood Watch groups to serve as a local safety net in the event of a pandemic is a good idea. The participants in Neighborhood Watch could still benefit from CERT training but function within their existing structure.

[sharon sanders]

I will pursue this tomorrow locally. Maybe we could create a model for this on the site for others to follow. At the very least it is a mechanism to present the CERT program.

[colormyquilt]

In following up on a post by Pixie- 3-11-2006, I found the Comunity Response Training for New York at Albany. I have taken the first of 6 modules- and then to finish with final test. It's great material. Course is offered online at University of Albany- Preparedness and Community Response to Pandemics, I believe is title. Each module is 2-3 hours. Also, there is the information re: FEMA training Christian Rivers posted a little time back. The avian flu is being mentioned "quietly" in my community. However, networking to come up with plans seems to be lagging far behind. I remain, as always, hopeful. Just means finding a way to connect people with the information. I will be following this thread- and am extremely thankful for all that is provided here.

[senegal1]

Great Information. I found info on CERT very helpful.

[sharon sanders]

Welcome Senegal1.

[Laidback Al]

Senegal1, we are pleased to have you join us.

[colormyquilt]

Welcome Senegal1.
I am about to complete the CERT training I began last month on-line at U of Albany. Each module takes about 2 hours. The info is presented in "chunks"- easy to digest. I have learned so much info from this site that it is relatively easy to follow on-line. There are little quizzes at the end of each module. In Rochester, The Rochester Business Alliance is the contact for the non-medical reserve corps/ citizens corp. So, I will be networking with them as I complete the CERT training.
I also learned that U at Albany has an on-line free microbiology course. I have not checked into that- but will. And when get info, will post.

[kim_mars]

I have recently signed up for training with the Ohio CERT Program..(Community Emergency Responce Team).. In my area the training is provided by your local fire/ems and they encourage local area groups, neighborhood watchs..etc.. and all people to participate. In case of a disaster, or "overwhelming event", that you would have the ability to help your neighbors and community until officals could arrive. From my understanding they are tweeking it to cover helping your neighborhood in the event of a pandemic.

the below links are for more info... after I have taken the training.. I will report back to you...

various links to OHIO Citizens Corps..etc
http://mtcert.org/links.htm

This is the link that shows what the class will cover.
http://mtcert.org/training.htm

Check it out.. I figure the knowledge will be invaluable..

[Sally Furniss]

Community Preparedness Check List being used in NZ: Down load tables here

1. Get involved in making sure that your community understands the likely consequences of a pandemic:

a. Work with partner organisations to call a “Pandemic Ready Community Meeting”
-Your notes and planning (who, where, when)

b. Invite local health professionals to brief your group on the latest understanding of the potential health implications and health responses for your community.
- Who to invite, contact details

c. Invite a Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) representative to explain likely wider impact of a pandemic on the community and responses that are planned.
-Who to invite, contact details

d. Have the health and CDEM representatives explain how health and other responses will be coordinated during an event.
-Notes:


2. Identify and list the types of community members and their needs that official services may not be able to meet during a pandemic:

Identify and document:

a. Young families – especially solo parents - What are their needs?

b. Older people living alone - What are their needs?

c. People with disabilities - What are their needs?

d. People in isolated areas - What are their needs?

e. Members of less integrated social groups - What are their needs?

f. People whose caregiver is sick, and may be unable to care for them (eg. elderly living with a caregiver) - What are their needs?

g. People who extend on external help (eg. home support) - What are their needs?

h. Institutions that may struggle – rest homes, hostels - What are their needs?

i. Any other groups and their needs …


3. Gain an appreciation for how members of your community could safely deliver and receive support during a pandemic:

Develop an adequate understanding of:

a. Social distancing in community settings.

b. Hand-washing and influenza hygiene in community settings.

c. Personal protective equipment in community (non-clinical) settings.

d. Isolation of infected members of the community.

e. Other issues (these may be raised by individuals, your health representatives, or CDEM representatives).


4. Plan for how members of your community will work together to meet its needs during a pandemic.

Include and work with existing organisations with a local presence – if relevant:

Work with (where relevant):

a. Neighbourhood Support

b. Schools

c. Church groups

d. Marae / Runanga

e. Ethnic communities

f. Local voluntary sector organisations

g. Community service clubs

h. Local CDEM wardens or office

i. Local supermarket, garage, shops

j. Others …

[Iceman]

Greetings to all,

Earlier this year I too found out about CERT and when I approached my County Emergency Response coordinator, he reported they were short of instructors at the moment and suggested I look into EMC - Emergency Medical Corps. He told me the EMC was created in direct response to 9/11 when at the time New York was literally overwhelmed by over 4,000 'volunteers' that converged on the site to help out. Nobody was prepared to handle that many strangers and it quickly became more of a problem in just handling all those people. The down side to having people helping people in these emergency situations also quickly became apparent in that gangs and thieves took advantage of the situation and looted supplies and equipment. The EMC was created to eliminate the guess work by registering qualified volunteers in advance and issuing ID cards that will more efficiently deploy the volunteers who show up to help. I was also told you do not need to be a medical professional to help or participate. They provide all the training and is open to all citizens and groups. I will be coordinating training for my sons Scout troop this spring and parents are encouraged to participate as well. I am interested in any of your CERT training and or experience updates.

http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/medical.shtm