2020 Citizen Corps Leadership Summit Summary

The Leadership Summit was a great success.

Illyssa Plummer, representative of FEMA Region 10, spoke of the changes from FEMA and how it affects state and county level citizen response efforts through volunteer programs. These will be handled at the state and county level now so citizen volunteer groups who personally know the needs of their community are better equipped to partner with local professional emergency responders.

We then learned from our state Citizen Corps state representative, Paula Towne, the changes in CERT Basic curriculum. The medical units integrated proper use of tourniquets while removing the triage training section from the course. The order of unit deliveries have changed now, as well. The second unit now covers Incident Command and required documentation so it can be integrated in to the remaining units, and Fire Suppression is at the end of the course.

 

Cat Robinson - Future Youth Involvement
Cat Robinson highlights a humorous depiction of current challenges facing educational institutes bringing emergency trainings to youth.

Cat Robinson, then spoke of the significant role the youth will be playing in disaster management and response efforts. Public schools are integrating this important training into their education and finding significant success.

Panel (Ann Forrest, Kat Robinson, Delores Kannas, Jason Marquiss)
Ann Forrest, Cat Robinson, Delores Kannas, and Jason Marquiss address what the 2020 Vision looks like for emergency response efforts at the community level.

 

Finally, a panel with four representatives covering community, state, volunteer and private sectors answered audience questions. Shortly after, an emergency announcement was made streaming the live feed from President Trump encouraging safe hygiene practices as a Covid-19 deterrent and to stay tuned for further instruction.

There is a high caliber of people who invest their time, energy, and trainings into preparing their skills of service for their fellow man. The Leadership Summit provided an opportunity for all to learn and share their expertise with one another, edifying all in attendance.

New 2020 CERT Basic Curriculum

After nearly a decade, FEMA just released new CERT Basic participant manuals and instructor guides, along with a fresh new look on their presentation slide deck.

What changes can we expect? Several, but none to cause alarm.

First, the order of unit modules have changed. Disaster Medical Units Pt 1 and Pt 2 have some new information, but the majority of content will be familiar. The standard START methodology (simple triage and rapid treatment) is no longer featured. Instead students are taught to focus on treatment techniques of the Three Killers: shock, air obstruction, and excessive bleeding. The use of tourniquet application is introduced in more detail to reflect the new national standards on Stop the Bleed controls. A bonus feature “Stages of Severe Bleeding” chart has also been added, listing heart rate, blood pressure, breath rate, and mental acuity of patient.

The second significant change is Unit 8, Terrorism and CERT. Introduced are a “New Tactics” section highlighting Active Shooter, Improvised Explosive Devises, Complex Coordinated Attacks, and Cyber Attacks, all of which are new to course content delivery. This module identifies the main safety factor for each Hazmat threat type such as remaining outside and placing distance between incident site and survivor, versus sheltering onsite and securing air ventilation systems.

The updates provide current and relevant response skills to already familiar content, while trimming out much of its redundancy. Participants get more hands-on skill development time, and the unit order provides better cohesive learning.

Bonus Feature:
Good news for instructor trainers, the curriculum updates will not affect the CERT Basic “Train the Trainer course.”

 

New order of module delivery is:

  1. Disaster Preparedness
  2. CERT Organization
  3. Disaster Medical Operations Part 1
  4. Disaster Medical Operations Part 2
  5. Disaster Psychology
  6. Fire Safety and Utility Controls
  7. Light Search and Rescue Operations
  8. Terrorism and CERT
  9. Final Exam and Disaster Simulation Exercise

 

FEMA DIRECT LINKS:

 

 




		
	
			


	



			
				


	

		
Welcome to Puget Sound CERT

		
	

		


	

		
Puget Sound CERT is a faith based organization comprised of rich talents and a depth of proficiency. Our cadre boasts of professional and private security services, legal and military expertise, medical and mental health credentials, emergency and response careers, local to international instructors and presenters, and private business owners to regional corporate leaders.


Each member of Puget Sound CERT is a volunteer, adding value to and strengthening community by blending their vast pool of talents to teach, train, practice and learn along side citizens within the Puget Sound.


Our goal is to guide individuals in their personal and family preparedness efforts, support start-up CERT programs, establish efficiency teams in a variety of response needs to support professional responders, and serve our local and state jurisdictions with preparedness oriented events.