Morris County NJ USA - Office of Emergency Management

President Bush introduced the Citizens Corps and asked that Americans volunteer their services to improve and safeguard our country. One opportunity for volunteers is the formation of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). CERT volunteers may be comprised of residents and business people of any background who wish to assist their neighbors.

CERT volunteers will identify risks in our communities and determine what actions can be taken to improve our planning for, response to and recovery from of any type of disaster. Volunteers will be trained to the level needed to perform their assigned tasks.

CERT members will understand that they are not first responders.

Municipal teams must have a minimum of five (5) members.
Members are not required to live in the municipality.
Members must be at least 18 years old.
All teams must complete a minimum of eight (8) blocks or units which take twenty (20) hours of training (FEMA Training). The material in the FEMA student manual must be covered.
The FEMA material may be modified to meet local needs. Additional subjects and training, e.g., EOC, Damage Assessment, Shelter Management, etc. may be covered as part of the municipal program.

There is no requirement for a background check of new members; however, this may be a local requirement.
Interview questions for new members must be consistent if used.
Teams will not be self-activated. They are considered a part of the local Office of Emergency Management and are activated by OEM.
No certificates will be awarded until the student(s) complete the entire FEMA/Municipal program. If a student misses a course they will make it up by attending other municipal courses, videos, self-studies of material, etc.

If a municipality cannot get five (5) volunteers they may combine with other municipalities to form a regional county team.
A regional leader will be appointed from one of the municipalities to be the leader of the team.
This regional leader will report to the Chair of the County CERT council.
The regional leader will complete the CERT Program Manager course before implementation of the CERT program and member training.

First, municipalities must decide if they wish to implement CERT.
The local attorney must be consulted to review liability issues as the program is developed.
The CERT Program will be a part of the municipal Office of Emergency Management.
The OEM Coordinator will be the leader unless a CERT Coordinator and/or a CERT Program Manager is appointed. The CERT Coordinator is the leader of the program and may choose to have a CERT Program Manager to assist in this effort.
All inquiries about the municipal CERT program will be directed to the local OEM.
The local CERT Coordinator must either attend or provide an individual (CERT Program Manager) to attend a two (2) day CERT Program Manager course offered by the County CERT Council.
The Program Manager will provide Morris County CERT Council with a copy of the FEMA/Municipal CERT Training Program prior to implementing the training.

CERT Program Plan

The following material will be included in the municipal plan that describes how the CERT Program will be implemented in the jurisdiction.

Describe responsibilities that CERT members will carry out in the community.
Describe team formation and activation procedures.
Describe the staff to be used to support CERT training.
Describe how existing emergency agencies will be advised about how CERT will be used.
Describe how CERT teams will communicate with other agencies.
Describe how your municipal EOP will be modified and what local SOP's will be written for CERT.
Describe your recruiting strategy to attract volunteers.
Describe your local public relations strategy to advise citizens of the Program. We recommend a minimum of three meetings per year after completion of the initial training.
Describe how you will retain CERT volunteers after initial training is completed.
Register your team and team members (See V. below)

Describe what subjects and material will be covered. The Program must consist of the FEMA basic material plus any subjects that may be added for local benefit.
List trainers and their qualifications. Trainers must be qualified to teach their subject.
Keep class sign-in sheets to document attendance.

All municipalities that participate in the CERT initiative must register on the Citizen Corps web site to receive funding or equipment. Go towww.citizencorps.gov to register as a Citizen Corps Council.
Each team member must complete a CERT Registration Form to receive a FEMA equipment kit. Copies are available from Morris County OEM. This form should be returned to Steve Donnelly, County CERT Coordinator.

Municipal Teams may be listed on the FEMA website. Go towww.FEMA.gov and click on Education/Training and go to CERT.
Municipal Teams may be listed on the Morris County Office of Emergency Management website. Contact the County CERT Coordinator to arrange for this listing.

Members must complete training on the FEMA basic material.
If the municipality has added additional subjects to their program, these subjects must also be covered before graduation.
Upon completion of training, a letter must be sent from the municipal CERT Coordinator to the County Cert Coordinator which includes the following:
- Names of Students
- List of Courses Completed
Upon completion, a Morris County CERT certificate and municipal OEM ID will be given to each team member.
Federal funds are available for certain equipment including:

> Safety goggles
> Vest
> Hardhat
> Work gloves
> Dust mask
> Carry bag

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