Community Emergency Response Team - Fire Rescue

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Polk County Fire Rescue's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

• CERT Team Leader. The first CERT member on the scene and designated Incident Commander (IC) until someone more competent arrives. Makes the initial scene assessment and determines the course of action. Assumes role of Safety Officer until role is assigned, assigns member roles, and designates triage and treatment area, morgue, and vehicle traffic routes. Coordinates and directs operations, determines logistical needs and ways to meet those needs through team members or citizen volunteers on scene, reports on the operation and victims, and communicates and coordinates with the IC, local authorities, and other CERT team leaders. Team leader is identified by two…