City of Hollywood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteer Program. Standard Operating Procedures

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Whitney Chase
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1 City of Hollywood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteer Program Standard Operating Procedures

2 Purpose This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) defines the mission, roles, objectives, protocols, and code of conduct for the Hollywood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT Mission Statement The City of Hollywood s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) serves our community through emergency preparedness education and efficient, responsible, effective, and selfless volunteer service. Hollywood CERT Core Values Community, Selflessness, Dedication, Preparedness, Teamwork, Responsibility, and Discipline What is Volunteerism? Volunteerism is the act or practice of doing volunteer work through community service. Volunteering is an altruistic endeavor, meaning the sole reason for volunteering is you are unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others. Hollywood CERT An Overview The City of Hollywood recognizes the need for an organized group of volunteers who can serve as force multipliers and provide added value to the City specifically its Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, and Department of Fire Rescue and Beach Safety by helping to prepare residents through education for an emergency. CERT can assist residents and the City during emergencies, special events, and community activities. This group of volunteers will be known as the City of Hollywood Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and will operate under the authority and direction of the Office of Emergency Management. At the direction of the City of Hollywood Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) or his/her designee, CERT members may: Act as volunteers at disaster locations Collect disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts Provide basic, non-first responder assistance to victims Educate the public about how to prepare for an emergency Coordinate and/or assist with special events Perform other basic volunteer functions Examples of events and activities CERT members may be called upon by the City of Hollywood to participate in include: Hollywood Emergency Operations Center activations Community outreach, education, and preparedness Special events assistance (e.g. distributing water, directing parking, directing pedestrians)

3 Public Works initiatives (e.g. Beach cleanup) Emergency preparedness drills Assist first responders in the field during major emergencies Hollywood CERT is a personally rewarding, Federal Emergency Management Agency-recognized volunteer program in which members help and serve others without any expectation of recognition, gratitude or reward from anyone. (I don t believe you should include this here, makes more sense under recognition) CERT Volunteer Requirements and Understanding To join CERT, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and be in good physical health. You also are required to sign a liability waiver with the City of Hollywood and a Code of Ethics and Conduct statement. You may also be interviewed by the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee prior to joining Hollywood CERT. As a member of Hollywood CERT, you voluntarily agree to: Provide your time, efforts and abilities when called upon by the City of Hollywood. Perform any and all duties as directed by the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Demonstrate respect and professionalism at all times. Strictly adhere to chain of command, which consists of the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee, followed by the Hollywood Assistant City Manager/Chief of Police. Represent the City of Hollywood as a CERT program member at public functions or meetings only with the prior consent of the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Follow and carry out any and all directives from the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Attend all monthly CERT meetings. Teen CERT The City of Hollywood also coordinates a Teen CERT program for local high school students. Under the direction and with the approval of the Hollywood EMC, Hollywood CERT volunteer trainers may visit local high schools to train students interested in learning about: Identifying and anticipating hazards Reducing fire hazards in the home and workplace Using fire extinguishers to put out small fires Assisting emergency responders Conducting light search and rescue Setting up medical treatment areas Applying basic first aid techniques and helping to reduce survivor stress. A Teen CERT member can help when there is an emergency and could also support other activities within his/her school. He/she can address safety issues, provide peer mentoring, participate in

4 disaster drills and exercises, assist in preparedness outreach, present fire safety education and teach home safety. IMPORTANT: Any Hollywood CERT volunteer assigned to providing Teen CERT training MUST register/check-in with the high school administration the day of the training before coming into contact with students. CERT A Dedication to Discipline, Responsibility, and Professionalism CERT principal responsibility is to act and function professionally during very stressful times. This requires self-discipline and the ability to take direction from your leaders. As a member of Hollywood CERT, you are prohibited from: Attempting to render medical aid at an incident that requires Fire Rescue or Police attention without first receiving consent from the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. o NOTE: If a CERT volunteer is already on the scene at the time of an incident that requires Fire Rescue or Police attention, he/she will ONLY call 911 for help, assess the situation, and brief first responders upon their arrival. The CERT volunteer s actions prior to the arrival of first responders should be coordinated through a 911 dispatcher. Represent the City of Hollywood or Hollywood CERT at meetings, forums or any other organized gatherings, or on any boards or committees, without the prior consent of the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Identify him/herself as a first responder, such as a police officer or firefighter/paramedic. Enter an active criminal, fire, or EMS scene without the consent of on-scene emergency personnel and the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Not follow a directive, including one to cease and desist activities, issued by first responders and/or the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Utilize equipment or supplies not previously approved by the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Rid in an emergency vehicle during an emergency call. Misuse, disparage, or misrepresent the City of Hollywood, Hollywood CERT, its members, logo, or likeness. Acquire any equipment for use during CERT functions without the prior consent of the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Use the CERT program to promote personal business or interests. Attempt to direct, manage, or impose demands on City of Hollywood staff. Display City of Hollywood or CERT materials while involved in political activities. Display City of Hollywood or CERT materials on personal vehicles without prior authorization from the Hollywood EMC. Perform any other duties not previously authorized or assigned by the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. Failure to comply with these criteria may result in expulsion from the CERT program, and depending on the violation, possible criminal prosecution.

5 Dress Code Each Hollywood CERT member should wear his/her green Hollywood CERT ONLY to all official Hollywood CERT meetings and sanctioned events. Any previously issued CERT attire that depicts the City of Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department logo is strictly prohibited. If any Hollywood CERT member owns such attire, they should contact the Hollywood EMC immediately to exchange the shirt for one that is approved by the City of Hollywood EMC. CERT Meetings Hollywood CERT Meetings Hollywood CERT meetings will be held on the first week of every month, usually on a Saturday morning, at a location designated by the City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee. The City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee will conduct each CERT meeting and will be responsible for notifying all CERT members of upcoming meeting dates, times, and locations. Proper decorum, respect, and professionalism should be exhibited at these meetings at all times. NOTE: Hollywood CERT volunteers should make every effort to attend the monthly Hollywood CERT meetings. Habitual non-attendance without prior notification of the Hollywood EMC, or exhibiting inappropriate or disrespectful behavior during a Hollywood CERT meeting, may result in a member s expulsion from Hollywood CERT. Broward Area CERT Program Managers Meetings The City of Hollywood EMC or his/her designee will serve as the official representative for the City of Hollywood at all Broward Area CERT Program Managers Meetings. These meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center. CERT Training and Equipment Hollywood CERT volunteers will undergo training at the direction of and as deemed necessary by the Hollywood EMC in consultation with the Hollywood Assistant City Manager/Chief of Police, the Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department, and Hollywood CERT volunteer trainers. All Hollywood CERT volunteers must complete a 20-hour Federal Emergency Management Agency training program conducted by the Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department or Hollywood CERT volunteer trainers that instructs them in basic disaster response skills. It is recommended that any City of Hollywood personnel who are serving as the administrator of the Hollywood CERT volunteer program also complete this training. When activated or during training, each CERT member will receive a personal equipment kit. Each new member will receive a City of Hollywood CERT T-shirt, hat, and identification card upon completing the 20-hour CERT training program. This equipment (not including the CERT T-shirt, hat, and identification card) will remain in the custody of the City of Hollywood during non-activation or non-training periods unless directed otherwise by the Hollywood EMC.

6 The City of Hollywood will provide Hollywood CERT volunteers with any additional equipment or supplies that may be needed for Hollywood CERT volunteers to perform their duties. These supplies will be provided only with the consent of the Hollywood EMC or City of Hollywood first responders (police or fire rescue personnel). The use of equipment or supplies by Hollywood CERT volunteers while on duty as volunteers for the City of Hollywood that does not have the prior approval of the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee is strictly prohibited. Notification of lost or damaged equipment should be directed to the EMC at for possible replacement. If a member decides not to participate in the CERT program at any time, the CERT T-shirt, hat, and identification card will be returned to the EMC immediately. CERT Recognition Program The City of Hollywood has established a recognition program to acknowledge volunteers who demonstrates exemplary dedication to the community and adherence to the mission and core values of volunteer programs. The City may recognize a CERT volunteer for his/her exemplary efforts at a monthly CERT meeting or at a City of Hollywood Commission meeting. Any recognition of a Hollywood CERT volunteer shall be conducted only by the Hollywood EMC in consultation with the Hollywood Assistant City Manager/Chief of Police. Your reward is attained from a sense of fulfillment from serving your community. As a CERT member, you should be very proud of your contribution to your community. CERT Activation Procedure The City of Hollywood EMC will maintain an updated roster of all active Hollywood CERT volunteers at all times. This roster will include the names, addresses, phone numbers, addresses, and any other information deemed necessary by the Hollywood EMC. To facilitate CERT volunteer notifications and organization, the Hollywood EMC may create sub-teams within Hollywood CERT and designate sub-team leaders. Tropical Weather (Hurricane or Tropical Storm) Team members should review his or her emergency plans before the start of hurricane season (June 1) and have completed preparations. The Hollywood EMC will pre-identify at least six (6) CERT volunteers who can and will report to the Hollywood Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during a tropical weather-related activation. These volunteers will assist the EMC and other Hollywood staff at the EOC with various duties assigned by the EMC or his/her designee. Other CERT team members who will not report to the EOC should be prepared to receive instructions from the EMC or his/her designee for duties during tropical weather activations. In the event the area is threatened by a hurricane or tropical storm, all CERT members should monitor weather reports closely. CERT volunteers should not report for duty unless directed to do so by the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee.

7 General Emergencies or Special/Community Events Depending on a given emergency or special event where CERT volunteer participation may be needed, the Hollywood EMC or his/her designee will assess the need and notify the number of Hollywood CERT volunteers he/she deems necessary to assist the City. The Hollywood EMC may designate command and control of the CERT volunteers to another City employee or department. Each Hollywood CERT volunteers will be required to participate in at least two (2) Hollywoodsanctioned special events each calendar year, unless an exception is made by the Hollywood EMC. Questions or Comments Any questions or comments about the City of Hollywood CERT volunteer program should be directed to the City of Hollywood Office of Emergency Management at

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