Unit 1: Introducti on

Unit 1: Introduction• Welcome• General Emergency Preparedness• Protection for CERT Members• Disaster Psychology

IntroductionWelcome

Tell us who you are. What city do you

live in? Why are you taking

CERT?

IntroductionExercise

Exercise: Building a Tower

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Inverness Winter Storm 1982

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Bay Br idge 1989

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Inverness Fi re 1995

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Inverness Fi re 1995

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

San Geronimo Winter Storm

CERT OrganizationTeam Organization

CERT Functions Size-up. Conduct light search and rescue. If necessary, locate and turn off utilities. Extinguish small fires. Triage and treat injuries. Gather resources. Comfort.

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Pack

• Power Bar• Bottled Water• Flashlight/Batteries• Medications • First Aid Kit• Socks• Pocketknife / Leatherman• Pen & Paper or pad

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

A re y o u p re p a re d fo r5 to 7 d ay s ?

O n e ga l l o n p e r p e rs o n p e r d ay

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Utilities

IntroductionGeneral Emergency Preparedness

Shutting Off Utilities

IntroductionProtection for CERT Members

Protection for CERT Members Good Samaritan Law. Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. Disaster Service Workers-State sponsored

program.• Provides Worker’s compensation benefits• Oath of Loyalty• Photo Identification

Acting in a prudent and reasonable manner in accordance with your training received as a CERT member.

IntroductionProtection for CERT Members

Disaster Service Worker Form

IntroductionDisaster Psychology

Objectives1. Describe the disaster / post-disaster

emotional environment.2. Describe the steps that rescuers can take

to relieve their own stress and those of disaster survivors.

IntroductionDisaster Psychology

Disaster Effects Cognitive Functioning• Irrational, difficulty making decisions,

acting out of character… Physical Health• Exhaustion, can’t sleep, do sleep a lot …

what else? Interpersonal Relationship• Temporary or long term personality

changes

What are some disaster stressors?

IntroductionDisaster Psychology

Range of Emotions

• Denial• Anger• Acceptance• Despair• Hopelessness

IntroductionDisaster Psychology

Team Well-BeingCERT team leaders should:• Have knowledge of pre-disaster stress management.• Brief personnel before response.• Emphasize teamwork.• Allow opportunities for proper nutrition.• Encourage breaks.• Rotate teams, phase out workers gradually.• Conduct a brief discussion.• Arrange for a post-event debriefing.

IntroductionReview

Disaster Psychology Review• Cognitive Functioning: Many emotions: confusion,

denial, anger, acceptance.• Physical Health: Manage the stressors. Be kind, be

patient. Take care of yourself.• Mental Health: Be aware of what you’re feeling

(PTSD, CISM).• Be nice.

IntroductionReview

CERT, doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.