next »

[CERT-LA Forum]

 CERT-LA Forum » Program Management » Retaining CERT Members
 National standard for training above basic

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever

[MichaelPrasad]

My thoughts are that we need to establish some national standards/guidance for what CERT folks have as training above the basics (i.e., ICS courses, Red Cross Courses, National Safety Council courses, etc.). I like the idea of specialization within teams (medical, search & rescue, animal rescue, command center, etc.) and I think we need to start the dialogue of what we would expect from other CERTs if we had a national or regional event that required multiple CERTs to respond.  I'm writing a poll to see how others feel on this subject. Thanks!

[rkawka]

I'm with Big Bear Valley CERT and we are in the process of trying to develop a county wide CERT acceptance.  We are finding that many local CERT groups have no organization other than they work with and are trained only by the local fire dept..  We are in the very early stages of setting up a meeting with the the local CERT management member and their local leasion(sp).  The hard part is getting some funding to provide food, housing (if necessary) for the participants.  Any suggestions?

The reason for this is that we see the need for a statewide or national certification so that people whose work takes them to other areas away from their local CERT area of operation can be allowed to help support CERT operations whereever they happen to find themselves.

I can see the need to develop the CERT organization into at least a state certification.  However, many states, CA among them, have different agencies who define the limits of involvement by CERT members. As we understand CA has some very strict rules about what is covered under workmen's comp.  

How does LA handle training in areas not directly covered in the FEMA, CERT training manual let alone using those skill not taught in the manual?

Bob Kawka
Training Chair BBV CERT

[Steven Kays]

We certainly dont need the federal government (dictatorship) forcing more garbage down our throats, If you must State level standardization, but the most sensible option is COG(council of governments) area standards.


These should also be voluntary standards, it is ridiculous to force standards on everyone, where one group being well funded and trained has no problem meeting another less well funded group has a difficult (or even detrimental) time of meeting.