CERT-LA - Community Emergency Response Team

CERT Los Angeles

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You Can't Predict...But You Can Prepare

Welcome to the Community Emergency Response Team Home Page.
Bookmark this Page NOW for easy future return.

This site is "Of CERT, By CERT, and For CERT Graduates." While we work closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department Disaster Preparedness Section, we who created this site and maintain it are CERT graduates and volunteers. We are not an official part of the LAFD. Our goal is to provide information, a forum for discussion, and a point of contact between Community Emergency Response Teams and CERT members everywhere.
Questions, ideas or suggestions? Let us know!

Check our Current CERT Trainings Schedule!

NEWS

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, causing catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. President Obama has promised the people of Haiti that "you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten." The United States Government has mobilized resources and manpower to aid in the relief effort. Here are some ways that you can get involved.

LAFD ACS-CERT Communications Plan

The Los Angeles Fire Department ACS-CERT Communications Plan is a comprehensive, formal, written plan developed using LAFD communication protocols to accommodate volunteer emergency communications from simultaneous multiple incidents in multiple Battalions. In emergency or disaster situations, the ACS-CERT Comm Plan will enable Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) members to send messages from local incidents through the LAFD chain of command to the Battalion, Division, and Department levels as necessary. The ACS-CERT Comm plan uses Family Radio Service (FRS) and Amateur Radio (Ham) radios and is not dependent on the existing commercial communications infrastructure.

Interest in emergency communications (Emcomm) is growing and many volunteers now own and use FRS and Amateur radios. The LAFD ACS-CERT Comm Plan is designed to help all of us who volunteer for the City of Los Angeles use our FRS and Amateur Radios to communicate efficiently, effectively, and professionally.

Many trainings will be scheduled throughout the city.

LAFD CERT Code of Conduct

The LAFD CERT program is the most active and respected CERT program in the nation. This has been achieved due to the dedication and commitment of our members, who continually strive to be a resource to the Los Angeles communities.

You represent the CERT program to new members, to the public, and to those to whom we render our services. It is important to portray a positive image.

As a volunteer with the LAFD CERT program, you are expected to comply with the LAFD CERT Code of Conduct.

LAFD CERT Photo ID Cards

November 23, 2009: To All CERT Graduates:

Due to the current financial climate within the City of Los Angeles, the CERT Program has had to make adjustments to its expenditures. That being said, Photo IDs will only be given to members on the Call-Out Team. We currently maintain a list of 175 call-out members. The photo IDs will be issued only upon the approval of the CERT Commander.

We apologize to those of you who have patiently waited for your cards. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Captain Gerlich @ 818-756-9674.

NEW TO CERT?	What is CERT?	Why do the CERT training? How do I join? How did CERT start?
	CERT Syllabus	A flyer with description of the CERT classes. Also available in Spanish
	Current CERT Trainings	If you haven't taken the CERT training yet, or you know someone who wants to, or you want to review one class or all seven - we have lots of classes on our schedule. CERT is provided free of charge within the city of Los Angeles to anyone 18 or over. Classes are taught mornings, afternoons and evenings continually throughout the year in locations all over Los Angeles. Click on the link on the left to see the currently scheduled trainings. If you miss a class, you can go to any other location to make it up. Fill out the Operational Area Make-up Class Form, have the make-up class instructor sign it, and return the completed form to your original training agency. To schedule a class for your group, you need a minimum of 25 people to be trained and a location to hold the training. Then call the Disaster Preparedness Section at 818-756-9674.
	CERT Community Meetings	Meet CERT graduates and find out more about what we're doing. CERT Community Meetings are open to the public. Go to the Community Teams page to find out what your battalion is. Tuesday, March 23 7:00 pm -9:00 pm : Battalions 4, 9 & 18 CERT Community Meeting Monday, April 5 6:00 pm -7:00 pm : Battalions 3, 6 & 13 CERT Community Meeting Thursday, April 8 7:00 pm -9:00 pm : Battalions 4, 9 & 18 CERT Community Meeting Wednesday, April 21 5:00 pm -6:00 pm : CERT Battalions 3, 6 & 13 Monday, May 3 6:00 pm -7:00 pm : Battalions 3, 6 & 13 CERT Community Meeting
	Disaster Awareness Course	The Los Angeles Fire Department's Disaster Awareness Course was developed because of the need to educate the Citizens of Los Angeles in Disaster Preparedness. This 3 1/2 hour training course will provide an overview of basic Disaster Preparedness and serve as an introduction to the comprehensive, 17 1/2 hour, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training. The Disaster Awareness Course is designed to fit the needs of various types of people or groups. The training provides these people with the information to help themselves, family, and co-workers during times of disaster.
	CERT Manuals	CERT Participant Manuals in English and Spanish.
CERT GRADUATES
	CERT Refresher August 16	We had a great time at the CERT refresher on Sunday, August 16, at LAFD Fire Station 88.
	Community Teams	Would you like to meet other CERT graduates in your community, find out what others are doing, and get extra training? Get in touch with the local contact person for your area and check the CERT Community Meetings calendar!
	Quarterly Division Trainings	The Quarterly Division Trainings provide either new CERT-related training topics or review existing CERT topics to increase the "Ready Responsiveness" of our CERT teams. We offer one topic, three times, in three different locations in Los Angeles (once in each of our City Fire Divisions) over a 3-month period. That way, CERT members have three different opportunities to attend the training in three different locations. We offer four training topics each year.
	Clarification of Opportunities	What's the difference between a volunteer event and a CERT event? What forms do I need to fill out? Who can participate?
	CERT Email List	If you'd like to keep informed of events, drills, changes to the website, or new opportunities that become available, please send us your name and email address. (The LAFD respects the confidentiality of any information you gave when you registered for your CERT training, and this website has no access to that information.) Also let us know if you're a CERT graduate or if you're still considering it or if you're from another city. Thank you!
	CERT Forms	All eight CERT forms in English and Spanish.
	Learn More about the LAFD	The February 2005 LAFD newsletter, Fire Watch, had an extensive piece on CERT. Find out more about the LAFD with other LAFD Fire Watch newsletters. The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial offers one of the most exciting, realistic, and valuable fire service experiences available anywhere in the world, with two museum facilities, plus our new memorial plaza and the Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
ADVANCED CERT	Levels 2 and 3	For Fulfilling Our Mission, Mass Care: An Overview, Shelter Operations and Shelter Simulation classes, go to the Red Cross Disaster Training Schedule (When you go to a class, let the instructor know you are with CERT!)
	Call-out Teams	In order to make the call-out system more equitable, we have omitted the Division Call-Out Teams and the REDY Team. There is one Call-Out Team for the City. This will give everyone equal opportunity to respond. Effective 07/12/08: Each Call-Out Team member shall: sign up online at our Call-out Teams page. be at least 18 years old. have a LAFD CERT ID card have a DSW call-out sticker on the back of their ID been sworn in as a Disaster Service Worker with the LAFD CERT Unit attend at least two Quarterly Division Trainings per year comply with the LAFD CERT Code of Conduct
	Drills, Events and Opportunities	Check the CERT Calendar for other ways to participate.

CERT INFORMATION	Other CERT Programs	Find information on CERT in all 50 states, in high schools, colleges and universities, Teen SERT, CERT for educators, territorial CERT, international CERT and CERT support groups.
	CERT Program Ideas	Basic Training Ideas, CERT Refresher Ideas, Recruiting and Retaining CERT Members, Uses of CERT in Emergencies, Uses of CERT in Non-Emergencies To stop recent spam attacks, you must register to post new messages. If you think of any other subjects, let us know.
	CERT Resources	CERT Article in Fire Watch, CERT Standard Operating Procedures, START - Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment, CERT Incident Command System, Starting and Maintaining a CERT Program, Lifts and Carries handout, CERT Trifold Wallet Card, Spontaneous Volunteers, 2003 Citizen Corps Survey of U.S. Households, The Connection, Making Triangle Bandages, Backboards and Splints, Building Backboards, Building Shelves for your Emergency Equipment Cache, Moulage Information Uses of CERT in Emergencies and Non-Emergencies have been moved to the CERT Program Ideas page.
	CERT Manuals	CERT Participant Manuals in English and Spanish, CERT Instructor Guides (in English only), and CERT Visuals (PowerPoint) in English and Spanish.
	CERT Forms	All eight Los Angeles CERT forms in English and Spanish, and also forms with no logos for other agencies.
	CERT Conferences	Look for CERT / Citizen Corps conferences around the country.
PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION	Preparedness	Disaster supply checklists, home/personal/business preparedness
	Other Languages	Preparedness, terrorism, natural disasters and special needs materials in many other languages
	Terrorism	Anthrax, smallpox, biological threats, chemical threats, nuclear threats, radiological threats, bomb threats, nuclear power plants, electromagnetic pulse, decontamination, explosions, the Homeland Security Advisory System and preparedness activities for each level
	Natural Disasters and Risks	Africanized honey bees, carbon monoxide, drought, earthquakes, emergency water shortage, fires, floods (and sandbagging), heat waves, hurricanes, landslides, lightning, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, wildfires, windstorms, winter storms
	Special Considerations	Animals, automated external defibrillator (AED), blackouts, chain saw safety, flu (pandemic and avian), hazardous materials in the home, children's interests, evacuation, shelter in place, swimming pool safety, SARS, secure furniture, strap water heater, mental health, special needs (children, seniors, disabled)
HAM RADIO	The Emergency Operations Organization of the City of Los Angeles has designated the Los Angeles Fire Department to manage its amateur radio program under the Auxiliary Communication Service agreement with the State Office of Emergency Services. The Fire Chief has authorized the group to enroll up to 500 licensed Hams to be trained to back up the Department's 800-MHz radio system, provide radio support to CERT members, their families and their Battalion leadership and 40-meter support to USAR for passing health and welfare traffic. If you are a licensed amateur radio operator who desires to serve the Department and the community, tune in to the LAFD-ACS NET on Monday evenings at 1930. Those interested can check in on or listen to 147.30 MHz (+) PL-110 or 224.68 MHz (-) PL-114. Contact Captain Kevin Nida, the Los Angeles Fire Department's City Radio Officer at (213) 978-3536 or e-mail him at kevin.nida@lacity.org. Find ham radio classes on our calendar.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The LAFD CERT Training only conducts non-discriminatory classes.
Non-discrimination includes race, religion, gender, and group affiliations.
For full text of the Policy as stated to the Instructors, please read non-discrimination.pdf

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. For additional information, please contact the Los Angeles Fire Department, Disaster Preparedness Section, at 818-756-9674 (Voice), 213-473-7704 (TDD), or lafdcert@lacity.org (Email).

Community Emergency Response Team Unit, LAFD Disaster Preparedness Section
818-756-9674 lafdcert@lacity.org

web site: www.cert-la.com cert-la@usa.net
Copyright © 1999, 2010, by CERT-LA. All rights reserved

updated: 20 February 2010