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[CERT-LA Forum]

 CERT-LA Forum » Uses of CERT in Non-Emergencies » How CERT has been used in non-emergencies
 Hollywood Christmas Parade

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[Administrator]

The LAFD asked CERT and ACS (Auxiliary Communication Service) to be the first responders' eyes and ears for the bicycle paramedics at the Hollywood Christmas Parade on Sunday, November 26, 2006. We were stationed at first aid stations at various points along the parade route, and some of us patrolled between the stations. Tables, chairs, water, and rudimentary first aid kits were supplied by LAFD Basic Support Services. CERT and ACS members were paired together and if they came across an incident requiring professional assistance, the ACS member called it in to the Command Post while the CERT member provided immediate aid, if required. Also, as the Command Post heard of possible incidents, the CERT/ACS teams were dispatched to size up the situation and see if professional assistance was needed.

[Kevin]

Several questions about employing CERT members.  What kind on PPE and other disaster equipment did the CERT members bring with them?  You mentioned the fisrt aid kits.  Do you have a list of common items in each kit?  Since these were temporary in nature, what kind of container were they stored in?  How much time was involved for the CERT members?  (Time at the event)  What were the prior training requirements, besides basic CERT?  If first aid was a requirement, how did you ( or the person in charge) verify currency?  Are there "special ground rules" that CERT members need to remember for this event?  (Such as can they physically move people out of the way when traveling to a scene or at the scene?)  Did they have an identifed parking place and meeting place before and after the event?  Did you have a minimum number of volunteers as an operational threshold or would you staff as many location as you had volunteers?
Was there any special recognition or token of appreciation?

I'm sure I have more questions.  We are trying to get our local CERT members into teams and get them involved in our local parade.
Thanks

[grissfd]

Kevin ask several questions about the cert invovment wtih the Christmas parade. Did your CERT personnel have additional training in emergency first aid? I would like to see your response to Kevin

[CERT5]

Re: Hollywood Christmas Parade - answers to questions

Several questions about employing CERT members.  What kind on PPE and other disaster equipment did the CERT members bring with them?
CERT members only had basic first aid supplies since professional care was minutes away.

  You mentioned the fisrt aid kits.  Do you have a list of common items in each kit? No

 Since these were temporary in nature, what kind of container were they stored in?
Storage was not necessary since help and supplies were easily available.
 How much time was involved for the CERT members?  (Time at the event)
The whole event took up about 5 hours. What were the prior training requirements, besides basic CERT?  
CERT training was the requirement. Again, we had access to paramedics and other fire department personnel who were only minutes away if needed
If first aid was a requirement, how did you ( or the person in charge) verify currency?  Are there "special ground rules" that CERT members need to remember for this event?  (Such as can they physically move people out of the way when traveling to a scene or at the scene?)  
Ground rules? The CERT training provides the ground rules. A LAFD paramedic was on duty on the radio providing instructions as needed. Otherwise, common courtesy and being able to work with traffic control and LAPD is a plus.
Did they have an identifed parking place and meeting place before and after the event?  yes
Did you have a minimum number of volunteers as an operational threshold or would you staff as many location as you had volunteers? We had more than enough people to staff the positions, so this wasn't an issue.
Was there any special recognition or token of appreciation? There have been at other events, but not this one.