CERT Unit 2:

CERT Organization
Participant Manual
CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization
In this unit you will learn about:
CERT Organization: How to organize and deploy CERT resources according to
CERT organizational principles.
CERT Size-up: How to conduct the continual data-gathering and evaluation
process at the scene of a disaster or emergency.
Rescuer Safety: How to protect your own safety and your buddy’s during search
and rescue.
Documentation: Strategies for documenting situation and resource status.
 CERT Unit 2 Table of Contents
SECTION 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW............................................................................................... 1
Setting the Stage .................................................................................................................... 1
Unit Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 1
SECTION 2: CERT ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................ 2
Principles of On-scene Management ...................................................................................... 2
CERT Application of On-Scene Management ......................................................................... 2
Objectives for CERT On-Scene Management ........................................................................ 2
The Need for Flexibility ........................................................................................................... 3
Incident Command System..................................................................................................... 3
CERT Operations ................................................................................................................... 5
Dealing with the Media ........................................................................................................... 6
National Incident Management System Implementation ......................................................... 6
Exercise 2.1: ICS Functions ................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 3: CERT MOBILIZATION.......................................................................................... 8
CERT On-Scene Size-up........................................................................................................ 8
CERT Size-up Steps .............................................................................................................. 8
Rescuer Safety ......................................................................................................................10
SECTION 4: DOCUMENTATION .............................................................................................12
Documentation Flow ..............................................................................................................13
Documentation Forms ...........................................................................................................23
UNIT 2 SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................25
Homework Assignment..........................................................................................................25
CERT UNIT 2: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ..............................................................................27
CERT Damage Assessment Form.........................................................................................27
CERT Personnel Resources Check-In Form .........................................................................28
CERT Assignment Tracking Log............................................................................................29
CERT Briefing Assignment Form ...........................................................................................30
CERT Team Action Log .........................................................................................................31
CERT Victim Treatment Area Record ....................................................................................32
CERT Communications Log ..................................................................................................33
CERT Equipment Inventory Form ..........................................................................................34
CERT General Message Form ..............................................................................................35

August 2019 Unit 2 Table of Contents

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

SECTION 1: UNIT 2: OVERVIEW

Setting the Stage
This Unit will cover the Incident Command Structure (ICS) in depth and how it
applies to CERT programs. It is recommended, although not required, that course
participants have completed the IS-100 (Introduction to Incident Command System)
and IS-700 (Introduction to National Incident Management System [NIMS]) courses
prior to the start of this Unit.

Unit Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Describe the CERT organizational structure;
2. Explain the ICS and how CERT operates within this structure;
3. Describe the 9-step On-Scene size-up process; and
4. Describe how to use CERT standard documents.

August 2019 Page 2-1

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

SECTION 2: CERT ORGANIZATION

Principles of On-scene Management
CERT organization is based on the Incident Command System (ICS), which is a proven
management system used by emergency responders. On-Scene management in a
disaster situation follows these principles:
• Maintain the safety of disaster workers. The CERT Team Leader (TL) must
continually prioritize response activities based on the team’s capability and
training. TLs also maintain the principle that rescuer safety is the number one
concern. CERT functional leadership assigns activities and accounts for team
volunteers. CERT volunteers work in the buddy system and respond based on
their size-up of the situations that they encounter.
• Provide clear leadership and organizational structure by developing a chain of
command and roles that are known by all team volunteers. Each CERT member
has only one person that he or she takes direction from and responds to.
• Improve the effectiveness of rescue efforts. Disaster information is collected, and
responses are prioritized based on rescuer safety and doing the greatest good
for the greatest number according to the team’s capabilities and training.

CERT Application of On-Scene Management

The specific CERT organizational structure and protocols provide:
• A well-defined management structure (e.g., leadership, functional areas,
reporting chain, working in teams);
• A manageable span of control that provides for a desirable rescuer-to-supervisor
ratio, optimum 5-to-1 with an acceptable spread of 2-to-7;
• Common terminology that contributes to effective communication and shared
understanding;
• Effective communication among team volunteers and with professional
responders, including the use of radios;
• Consolidated action plans that coordinate strategic goals, tactical objectives, and
support activities;
• Comprehensive resource management that facilitates application of available
resources to the incident in a timely manner; and
• Accountability.

Objectives for CERT On-Scene Management

In a disaster situation, the CERT TL:
• Identifies the scope of the incident (e.g., What is the problem?);
• Determines an overall strategy (e.g., What can we do, and how will we do it?);
• Deploys teams and resources (e.g., Who is going to do what?); and
• Documents actions and results.

August 2019 Page 2-2

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

The Need for Flexibility

Disasters create a dynamic, ever-changing environment. The CERT organizational
framework is flexible so that it can expand or contract depending on the ongoing
assessment priorities determined by the CERT Team Leader, people, and resources
available. This expansion and contraction help ensure:
• Rescuer safety;
• Doing the greatest good for the greatest number;
• A manageable span of control; and
• Accountability of CERT volunteers.

Incident Command System

The ICS is the system used by emergency response agencies to manage emergency
operations. When a CERT activates, it becomes part of that system. This section will
explain the ICS format and detail how CERTs both operate within the ICS and organize
themselves to replicate that of the ICS structure.
Basic ICS structure for a CERT is established by the person who arrives first on the
scene. This person becomes the TL. Initially, the TL may handle all of the command
positions of the ICS but, as the incident evolves, he or she may assign personnel as
needed to the ICS Command Functions:
• Operations Section Chief;
• Intelligence/Investigations Section Chief;
• Planning Section Chief;
• Logistics Section Chief; and
• Finance/Administration Section Chief.
Through an effective ICS, all CERT volunteers report through a chain of command to
the TL. The TL reports to the first fire or law enforcement official at their location and
takes direction from that person until otherwise directed or until the CERT is relieved.
Image 2.1: ICS Command Function Organization Chart

August 2019 Page 2-3

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Although there are a number of detailed responsibilities under each ICS function, the
system itself is easy to understand. CERTs will typically require the Operations,
Planning, and Logistics functions. The CERT Team Leader is responsible for handling
or delegating each function to team volunteers.
As the incident expands, CERT volunteers are assigned or re-assigned to each section
to handle specific aspects of the response while maintaining an effective span of
control.
• CERT Team Leader:
― Ensures incident safety;
― Establishes incident objectives;
― Delegates authority to others;
― Provides information to internal and external parties;
― Establishes and maintains liaison with other responders (e.g., fire, law
enforcement, public works, other CERTs); and
― Takes direction from agency officials.
• Intelligence/Investigations Section:
― Prevents and deters potential unlawful activity, incidents, and/or attacks;
― Collects, processes, analyzes, secures, and appropriately disseminates
information and intelligence;
― Conducts investigations; and
― Informs and supports life safety operations.
Intelligence/Investigations is a function in the formal Incident Command System;
however, CERTs will have a very limited involvement, if any, with this function.
• Planning Section:
― Tracks resource status (e. g., number of CERT volunteers who have
“reported for duty”);
― Tracks situation status;
― Prepares the Team’s action plan;
― Develops alternative strategies; and
― Provides documentation services.
• Logistics Section:
― Provides communications;
― Provides food and medical support to Team volunteers;
― Manages supplies and facilities; and
― Make sure that there are adequate resources (e.g., personnel, supplies,
and equipment) for meeting the incident objectives.
• Finance and Administration Section:
― Conducts contract negotiation and monitoring;
― Keeps track of timekeeping;
― Provides cost analysis; and
― Tracks compensation for injury or damage to property.
Finance and Administration is a function in the formal Incident Command System;
however, CERTs will have very limited involvement, if any, with this function.

August 2019 Page 2-4

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Operations
Based on the principles of ICS, CERTs follow these protocols:
• Each CERT must establish a command structure.
• The CERT TL directs team activities. During activation for a disaster, the first
person at a pre-designated staging area assumes this responsibility. The initial
TL may hand off this role to a pre-designated leader when that person arrives.
• The location established by the CERT TL as the central point for command and
control of the incident is called the Command Post for the CERT. The TL stays in
the Command Post. If the TL has to leave, the responsibility of TL must be
delegated to someone in the Command Post.
Using the ICS structure, CERT volunteers are assigned to assist with a range of
functions including:
• Logistics—managing resources, services, and supplies;
• Planning/Intelligence—collecting and displaying information; collecting and
compiling documentation; and
• Operations—conducting fire suppression, medical operations, search and
rescue.
In all situations, each unit assigned must have an identified leader to supervise tasks
being performed, to account for team volunteers, and to report information to his or her
designated leader.
In all situations, a manageable span of control is five rescuers per supervisor, with an
acceptable spread of two to seven.
CERT personnel assigned to Operations should always be assigned to teams
consisting of between one and five people:
• One person will serve as runner and communicate with the Command Post.
• Two people will “buddy up” to respond to the immediate needs.
• Search and rescue teams must include at least four people, with a safety team
remaining outside the area subject to search, and at least two people to conduct
the search.
Image 2.2: Expanded CERT Operations Structure

CERT operations section structure, showing the Operations Section Chief at the top and the three
Group. Leaders underneath.

August 2019 Page 2-5

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Dealing with the Media

CERT volunteers should refer any media inquiries to the CERT TL. The TL should then
refer the media inquiries to the Public Information Officer of the CERT’s sponsoring
organization.
If the Public Information Officer of the sponsoring organization refers media to the
CERT TL or otherwise authorizes them to speak with the media, the TL should:
• Refrain from addressing the media until doing so will no longer inhibit or delay
the team’s ability to do the greatest good for the greatest number in the shortest
amount of time;
• Establish an area for briefing the media if necessary;
• Be careful about the information he or she releases, making sure it is both
accurate and approved for release, while also keeping in mind victims’ right to
privacy; and
• Not feel compelled to answer every question asked.

National Incident Management System Implementation

The ICS is part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a
consistent, comprehensive approach to incident management. It applies at all
jurisdictional levels and across all emergency management functions and types of
incidents.
NIMS was established so that first responders, including CERT volunteers, from
different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to disasters
and emergencies.
• To meet NIMS standards, CERT volunteers must complete both the IS-100
(Introduction to Incident Command System) and IS-700 (Introduction to National
Incident Management System [NIMS]) courses.
• Both independent study courses are available online from FEMA at
http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp.

Exercise 2.1: ICS Functions

Purpose: This activity will give you an opportunity to relate the ICS functions to specific
situations.
Instructions:
1. Break into small table groups.
2. This exercise provides you with the opportunity to decide under which ICS
functions the listed activities will fall.
3. Review the list of activities and use the initials, “TL,” “O,” “P,” or “L” to indicate
which ICS function would cover each activity.
While Finance and Administration is a part of ICS, it is generally not used by CERTs.

August 2019 Page 2-6

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Using your knowledge about ICS functions, decide under which function the following
CERT activities would fall. Some activities may involve more than one function to be
completed (see Table 2.1).
Use the following key to fill in the blanks before each activity:
• Team Leader = TL;
• Operations = O;
• Planning = P; and
• Logistics = L.
Table 2.10: ICS Activities
Scenario ICS Function
1. It’s dark, all the lights are out, and you need additional flashlights to
continue your response
2. The designated first aid site has a downed power line.
3. A neighbor reports the smell of gas in his house, but he cannot shut
off the gas at the meter.
4. The batteries for the portable radio are dead.
5. The city wants to know the overall status of your neighborhood.
6. Several of your neighbors have minor injuries and need first aid.
7. Fire from another neighborhood is moving toward your
neighborhood.
8. There is a dog seen wandering near the first aid station.
9. A news crew has arrived with a camera to film your activities.
10. Two hysterical neighbors are demanding help. One cannot find her
adolescent child who was playing outside when the disaster struck.
The other wants help moving a bookcase off his wife. He says she’s
bleeding from a wound on the head.
11. It’s starting to rain. Your command post and the first aid area are not
under shelter
12. Too many people are coming to the Team Leader to ask questions.
The Team Leader asks for someone to act as a “gatekeeper.”
13. There is a great increase of car and foot traffic through your
neighborhood because other roadways are blocked.
14. The Team Leader is very tired and is going to hand over
responsibilities to someone else. He or she wants a report on the
status of the neighborhood before doing so.
15. Many neighborhood residents have come to volunteer their help.
16. Reports have come in of damage and injuries in the next block.
Teams must be assigned to assess the situation.
17. A professional responder has arrived at the scene and would like a
briefing on situation status.

August 2019 Page 2-7

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

SECTION 3: CERT MOBILIZATION

The following steps describe how CERTs mobilize when an incident occurs:
• If the standard operating procedure (SOP) calls for self-activation, CERT
volunteers proceed to the predesignated staging area with their disaster supplies.
Along the way, they make damage assessments that would be helpful for the
CERT TL’s decision-making.
• The first CERT member at the staging area becomes the initial TL for the
response. As other CERT volunteers arrive, the CERT TL may pass leadership
to someone else. The CERT TL establishes operations to ensure effective
communication, to maintain span of control, maintain accountability, and help the
greatest number without placing CERT volunteers in harm’s way.
• One of the CERT TL’s first decisions will be to locate the team’s Command Post.
The staging area may become the Command Post; however, if another location
would be safer or otherwise better, the Command Post should be set up there.
• As intelligence is collected and assessed, the TL must prioritize actions and work
with the Section Chiefs or leaders. The CERT organization is flexible and evolves
based on new information.
Following an incident, information—and, therefore, priorities—may be change rapidly.
Communication between the CERT TL and response teams ensures that CERTs do not
overextend their resources or supplies.

CERT On-Scene Size-up

On-Scene Size-up should be conducted upon CERT mobilization. Size-up is a continual
process that enables professional responders to make decisions and respond
appropriately in the areas of greatest need. CERT size-up consists of 9 steps and
should be used in any emergency situation.
Refer the participants to CERT On-Scene Size-up in the Participant Manual. Although
the checklist is not exhaustive, it does include many of the questions that CERT
volunteers should ask when sizing up an emergency situation.
CERT Size-up Steps
The 9 steps of CERT size-up are:
1. Gather facts. What has happened? How many people appear to be involved?
What is the current situation?
2. Assess and communicate the damage. Try to determine what has happened,
what is happening now, and how bad things can really get.
3. Consider probabilities. What is likely to happen? What could happen through
cascading events?
4. Assess your own situation. Are you in immediate danger? Have you been
trained to handle the situation? Do you have the equipment that you need?
5. Establish priorities. Are lives at risk? Can you help? Remember, life safety is
the first priority!

August 2019 Page 2-8

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

6. Make decisions. Base your decisions on the answers to Steps 1 through 5 and
in accordance with the priorities that you established.
7. Develop a plan of action. Develop a plan that will help you accomplish your
priorities. Simple plans may be verbal, but more complex plans should always be
written.
8. Take action. Execute your plan, documenting deviations and status changes so
that you can report the situation accurately to first responders.
9. Evaluate progress. At intervals, evaluate your progress in accomplishing the
objectives in the plan of action to determine what is working and what changes
you may have to make to stabilize the situation.
Table 2.2: CERT On-Scene Size-up Worksheet

Step 1: Gather Facts

Time

Does the time of day or week affect response efforts? How? Yes No

Weather
Are there weather conditions that affect your safety? If yes, how
Yes No
will your safety be affected?
Will weather conditions affect the situation? If yes, how will the
Yes No
situation be affected?
Type of Construction

What type(s) of structure(s) is (are) involved?

What type(s) of construction is (are) involved?

Occupancy
Are the structures occupied? If yes, how many people are likely
Yes No
to be affected?
Are there special considerations (e.g. children, elderly, pets,
Yes No
people with access and functional needs)?
Hazards

Are hazardous materials evident? Yes No

Are any other types of hazards involved? If yes, what other

Yes No
hazards?
Step 2: Assess and Communicate the Damage
Survey all sides of the scene. Is the danger beyond the CERT’s
Yes No
capability?

Have the facts and the initial damage assessment been

Yes No
communicated to the appropriate person(s)?

August 2019 Page 2-9

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Step 3: Consider Possibilities

Life Hazards
Are there potentially life-threatening hazards? If yes, what are
Yes No
the hazards?
Additional Damage
Is there a high potential for more disaster activity that will impact
Yes No
personal safety? If yes, what are the known risks?
Step 4: Assess Your Own Situation
What equipment is available to support response efforts?
What other resources are available?
Can response be safely attempted by CERT volunteers? If not,
Yes No
do not attempt response activities.
Step 5: Establish Priorities
Are there any other more pressing needs now? If yes, list. Yes No
Step 6: Make Decisions
Where will resources do the most good while maintaining an adequate margin of
safety?
Step 7: Develop Plan of Action

Determine how personnel and other resources should be used.

Step 8: Take Action

Put the plan into effect.

Step 9: Evaluate Progress

Continually size up the situation to identify changes in the scope of the problem, safety
risks, and resources availability.

Adjust strategies as required.

Rescuer Safety
Effective emergency scene management requires the formulation and communication of
strategic goals and tactical objectives to do the most good for the greatest number while
maintaining the safety of rescue personnel.
Remember that rescuer safety is paramount.
The first question to ask is, “Is it safe for the CERT volunteers to attempt the rescue?”
The answer to this question is based on the degree of damage:

August 2019 Page 2-10

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

• If the damage is heavy: No rescue should be attempted. Use tape around the
area or mark the area as heavy damage. CERT volunteers do not have any legal
authority to stop or restrict someone who wants to enter an area. At best, CERT
volunteers can warn others about the danger and inform the CERT TL
immediately if it is known that people are in the building.
• If the damage is moderate: Locate, assess (e.g., quickly evaluate and treat for
airway obstruction, bleeding, and low body temperature), and immediately
evacuate survivors to a safe area while minimizing both the number of rescuers
inside the building and the amount of time that they remain inside.
• If the damage is light: Locate, assess, continue size-up, and document.
Table 2.3: CERT Rescue Efforts Based on Degree of Damage

Degree of Damage Should Rescue be Attempted

No, it is too dangerous to enter. Warn people to stay away. Inform the
Heavy
CERT TL immediately if it is known that people are in the building.
Yes, but perform only quick and safe removals; limit onsite medical care
Moderate to checking for breathing, stopping major bleeding, and maintaining
body temperature. Minimize the number of rescuers inside the building.
Light Yes, locate, assess, continue size-up, and document.

Image 2.3: CERT Tasks Based on Damage Level

August 2019 Page 2-11

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

SECTION 4: DOCUMENTATION
It is extremely important to document and communicate information about the disaster
situation and resource status.
The efficient flow of information makes it possible for resources to be deployed
effectively and for professional emergency services to be applied appropriately.
Documenting serves several purposes:
• The CERT TL will know what is happening throughout the incident.
• The CERT TL will have written information to pass on to the professional
responders when they arrive.
• Communication improvement between functional areas and shifts.
• The CERT will be able to show how many volunteer hours it provided to the
sponsoring agency or entity.
• Liability exposure will be documented.
Under the CERT structure, each level of organization has documentation
responsibilities:
• Section Chiefs are responsible for providing the Command Post with ongoing
information about damage assessment, group status, and ongoing needs.
• The Command Post is responsible for documenting the situation status,
including:
― Incident locations;
― Access routes;
― Identified hazards; and
― Support locations.
Support locations include:
• A staging area;
• A medical treatment and assessment area; and
• A morgue, if there are fatalities.
This information is vital for tracking the overall situation and for the CERT TL to be
ready to provide the documentation to the first professional responders on the scene.
Write it down! The most important thing to do is to write down what happened.
The information can be written down on the sample forms provided in this unit or it can
be written down on sheet of paper.
Every entity, such as a functional team or staging location, must have a scribe to record
everything. Typically, the CERT TL designates the scribe and provides some simple
instructions.

August 2019 Page 2-12

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Documentation Flow
Here is how a CERT would use these standard documents within the context of an
event. Remind participants that, even if the forms are not used, this should give them an
idea of the preferred information that needs to be collected and communicated between
groups.
• CERT volunteers complete the Damage Assessment Form as they travel through
the area to the CERT’s staging location. The form is then given to the CERT TL.
The form provides a summary of overall hazards in selected areas, and the
information is used for prioritizing and formulating activities.
• The CERT TL assembles teams and makes assignments based on the damage
assessment information. This person keeps the CERT Assignment Tracking Log,
which is the most important tool for recording the activities of the functional
teams and overall situation status.
• A scribe at the staging location signs in each volunteer using the Personnel
Resources Check-In Form, noting any preferred team assignments or skills. This
information needs to be passed on to the Command Post.
• The Command Post and the functional team share the Briefing Assignment
Form. The CERT TL uses the front side of the form to communicate instructions
(e.g., address, incident type, and team objectives) about the incident. The scribe
of the functional team uses the blank side of the form to log team actions. The
form is then returned to the Command Post when the team checks in.
• The Treatment Area Record is available to document each person brought into
the treatment area and his or her condition.
• The Communications Log is on-hand to log incoming and outgoing
transmissions; it is typically kept by the radio operator.
• The Equipment Inventory is kept in the area or vehicle in which equipment is
stored.
• The General Message form is accessible for sending messages between any
command levels and groups. The messages must be clear and concise.

August 2019 Page 2-13

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.1: CERT Damage Assessment Form

August 2019 Page 2-14

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.2: CERT Personnel Resources Check-In Form

August 2019 Page 2-15

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.3: CERT Assignment Tracking Log

August 2019 Page 2-16

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.4a: CERT Briefing Assignment Form

August 2019e Page 2-17

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.4b: CERT Team Action Log

August 2019 Page 2-18

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.5: CERT Treatment Area Record

August 2019 Page 2-19

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.6: CERT Communications Log

August 2019 Page 2-20

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.7: CERT Equipment Inventory Form

August 2019 Page 2-21

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form 2.8: CERT General Message Form

August 2019 Page 2-22

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Documentation Forms
There are standard forms that can be used to facilitate documentation and information
flow. The forms are functionally consistent with ICS forms and are designed to be NIMS
compliant.
The CERT forms are:
• Damage Assessment;
• Personnel Resources Check-In;
• CERT Assignment Tracking Log;
• Briefing Assignment;
• Treatment Area Record;
• Communications Log;
• Equipment Inventory; and
• General Message.
Remember scribes can produce useful, high-quality documentation without using the
forms as long as they take detailed notes of all activities.
Area maps, site maps, and building plans are also very useful for tracking response
activities.
Table 2.4: Forms Used for Response Documentation

Form Purpose
Completed by CERT volunteers as they travel through the
area to the CERT’s staging location, then given to the
CERT Team Leader; provides a summary of overall
hazards in selected areas, including:
• Fires;
Damage Assessment • Utility hazards;
[CERT Form #1]
• Structural damage;
• Injuries and deaths;
• Available access; and
• Essential for prioritizing and formulating action
plans.
Used to sign in CERT volunteers as they arrive at the
staging location; provides information about:
• Who is on site;
Personnel Resources Check-In • When they arrived;
[CERT Form #2] • When they were assigned;
• Their special skills; and
• Used by staging personnel to track personnel
availability.
Used by the Command Post for keeping awareness of
CERT Assignment Tracking Log
situation status; contains essential information for tracking
[CERT Form #3]
the overall situation.

August 2019 Page 2-23

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

Form Purpose
Used by the Command Post to provide instructions to
Briefing Assignment
functional teams; used by teams to log their actions and
[CERT Form #4 a, b]
report new damage assessment information.
Completed by medical treatment area personnel to record
Treatment Area Record
survivors entering the treatment area, their condition, and
[CERT Form #5]
their status.
Communications Log
Completed by the radio operator; used to log incoming and
[CERT Form #6 (based on ICS
outgoing transmissions.
309)]
Equipment Inventory
Used to check out and check in CERT-managed
[CERT Form #7(based on ICS
equipment.
303)]
Used for sending messages between command levels and
groups; messages should be clear and concise and should
focus on such key issues as:
General Message
• Assignment completion;
[CERT Form #8 (ICS 213)]
• Additional resources required;
• Special information; and
• Status update.

August 2019 Page 2-24

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

UNIT 2 SUMMARY
The key points from this unit are:
• Emergency response agencies and CERT use the ICS to manage emergency
operations. ICS provides a flexible means of managing personnel, facilities,
equipment, and communication and can be expanded when necessary.
• The key question CERT Team Leaders must always ask is: “Is it safe for CERT
volunteers to attempt the rescue?” Whether or not to attempt a rescue depends
on the degree of damage to the structure involved. Remember: CERT volunteers’
safety is the top priority.
• It is vital to document and communicate information about situation and resource
status to all CERT levels.
• Sections, Groups, and Teams must provide the Command Post with ongoing
information about damage assessment, incident status, and ongoing needs.
• The Command Post must document the situation status, so the overall disaster
situation can be tracked and reported to emergency response agencies.

Homework Assignment
Read and become familiar with the unit that will be covered in the next session.

August 2019 Page 2-25

 CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Unit 2: Additional

Materials
Additional Materials:
Damage Assessment
Personnel Resources Check-In
CERT Assignment Tracking Log
Briefing Assignment
Team Action Log
Treatment Area Record
Communications Log
2019 Update Inventory
Equipment Page 2-26

General Message
CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT UNIT 2: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

CERT Damage Assessment Form
Form 2.9: CERT Damage Assessment Form

August 2019 Page 2-27

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Personnel Resources Check-In Form

Form 2.10: CERT Personnel Resources Check-In Form

August 2019 Page 2-28

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Assignment Tracking Log

Form 2.11: CERT Assignment Tracking Log

August 2019 Page 2-29

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Briefing Assignment Form

Form 2.12: CERT Briefing Assignment Form

August 2019 Page 2-30

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Team Action Log

Form 2.13: CERT Team Action Log

August 2019 Page 2-31

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Victim Treatment Area Record

Form 2.14: CERT Victim Treatment Area Record

August 2019 Page 2-32

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Communications Log

Form 2.15: CERT Communications Log

August 2019 Page 2-33

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT Equipment Inventory Form

Form 2.16: CERT Equipment Inventory Log

August 2019 Page 2-34

CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization Participant Manual

CERT General Message Form

Form 2.17: CERT General Message Form

August 2019 Page 2-35