CERT Background

CERT Background

The Community Emergency Response Team concept w= as developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area= -wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immedia= te needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division for= the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees.

The CERT program trains citizens to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National= Fire Academy adopted and expanded the LAFD CERT materials in 1993 for communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico. The Department of Homeland Security, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and= its Citizen’s Corps Council, assumed control of the CERT program after 9/= 11 and expanded the program nationwide. https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/index.shtm <= /span>

Sun City Center CERT

The Sun City Center Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was established in 1995. The trained resident-volunteers are intended to complement professional Fire and Police organizations in disast= er situations where the normal rescue and medical services are overwhelmed. http://gr= oups.yahoo.com/group/SCCCERT/

CERT training direction is provided by Hillsbor= ough County Fire Rescue (HCFR).

The CERT program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster si= te. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

<= span style=3D'font-size:15.5pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:#284665'>Sun City Center Disaster Preparedness Council

Since 2001, SCC-CERT has chaired the SCC Disast= er Preparedness Council; group of local volunteer first responder organizations including the SCC Security Patrol/CA, SCC Emergency Squad, Good Samaritans, American Red Cross, Kings’ Point Security/COA, KP/SCC Amateur Radio Clubs, South Bay Hospital, Interfaith Social Action Council [Churches], Hillsborough County Sheriff, Hillsborough County Fire, and other groups.

Detailed written disaster plans are reviewed and coordinated annually with Hillsborough County Emergency Operations personne= l.

In an emergency, SCC-CERT would serve as local Incident Commander (IC) with the SCC Emergency Squad as Public Information Officer {PIO).

Emergency plans (and related resident informati= on) are published at www.w1wab= .com , in the KP Security Bulletin and SCC CA phone book [page 9].

SCC CERT Facts=

(1) Organization: SCC CERT is a not-for-profit 501(c)3<= /span> corporation; designed to support our local Florida community. Donations have been received from KPCOA, SCC Community Foundation, Wal-Mart, SCC Men’s Cl= ub, and many other individuals and clubs.

SCC-CERT is one of 12 CERT [or CERF - Christian Emergency Response Force] teams trained by HCFR.

(2) Members: At December 28, 2008, SCC CERT has= 114 members from both Sun Cit= y Center and Kings Po= int. Non-resident members are welcome. There are no dues.

M= AP: http://www.petebl= air.com/CERT/

(3) Meetings: The 4^th Wednesday of e= ach month [except November, December] at 6:30pm in the Florida Room, Atrium Building. The meetings include hands-on refresher training or presentations by other organizations (e.g.; The National Weather Service).

4) Drills: SCC CERT participates in annual Stat= e, County, and local drills.

5) Activation: Unexpected: Self-activate

&nb= sp; = Expected (e.g.; hurricane) via call= -tree

&nb= sp; = Demanded: By HCFR, HCSO, or ESF-15: United Way

&nb= sp; = Actions:=

&nb= sp; = 1) CERT members take care of themselves and family

2) Assist neighbors

3) Proceed to rally point (S= ecurity Patrol Building)

4) Incident Commander assigns teams for:

-Search and rescue (light)

-Fire suppression (small)

-Field triage & medical treatment

-Transportation to South Bay [with EMS, Patrol, Samaritans]

-Other duties requested by other emergency response groups:

&= nbsp; a) Visit registered 200+ SCC/KP special-needs residents

&= nbsp; b) Manpower for POD # 16 [Home Depot or Prince of Peace]

&= nbsp; th= e local County distribution area for water, food, ice

&= nbsp;

Past Activations:=

1)&n= bsp; Hurricane Charlie http://www.mysuncitycenter.org/healthsafety/cert.html

= 2) Missing Ruskin girl

= 3) Riverview Ammonia leak

= 4) Local events: Golf Cart parades, KP events

6) Facilities: HQ: Communications/IC center – 980 N Course Lane<= /st1:address>

&nb= sp; = Supply depots: (a) Room #4 – S Community Hall

&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; (b) Kings’ Point North Clubhouse

7) Equipment: HQ: 7 VHF Amateur radios; 7 CBs; Admin supplies

&nb= sp; = Supply depots: Generators, extinguishers, cots, medical gear,

&nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Heavy construction equipment, chain saws, etc.

&nb= sp; = Members: Full back-backs provided = by HCFR

Related activities by SCC Members= =

Hillsborough Citizens’ Corp Council: Bill Barron

Hillsborough: Post Disaster Recovery Preparedness Study Group: P & E Courter

&= nbsp; http://www.observernews.net/artman2/publish/Top_Stories/Planning_for= _Recovery_After_a_Disaster_Now_Well_Underway.shtml

Hillsborough VIPs: Frank Hobbs

Hillsborough ARES/RACES Deputy Officer [Radio]: Bill Barron

Many members also volunteer for the Security Patrol or Emergency Squad

Recent Press

http://news.ufl.edu/2008/05/29/volunteers/

http://www.sccfreepress.org/2008_Archives/200811/CERT.htm=

Contact information

Residents of Sun City Center and surrounding communities interested in joining or contributing to SCC CERT should contact Bill Barron (642-9079) or Dick Tattarelli (634-= 9468) or by email to scccert@y= ahoo.com

<= /span>