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Community Emergency Response Team: Scope of Practice

Mission


To assist self, neighbors, and community/first responders during times of emergency and/or disaster.


Pre-Disaster Activities


  • Participate in community-sponsored training, drills, and exercises as their schedule allows. 


  • Provide traffic control, information, and outreach at community events. 


Disaster Activation Timeline


1–2 hours post incident, as Ready Your Street responsibilities allow 


Operational Phases 


  • Size-up: Assess scene safety, hazards, access points. 


  • Search: Conduct light search and rescue in accessible structures; mark searched areas per CERT standards. 


  • Rescue: Apply basic cribbing/lifting only if safe; prioritize immediate triage. 


  • Triage & Treatment: Apply START method; log all patients. 


  • Reporting: Use message forms to relay needs or updates to EOC or nearby Disaster Hubs. 


Post-Disaster Activation


  • Check in with neighbors and provide basic first aid support and light search and rescue.


  • Take people needing assistance to the nearest Disaster Hub for further assessment.


  • Report to assigned primary or alternate location after a disaster occurs according to recall procedures. 


  • Submit completed windshield survey for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) upon arrival at the assigned location.


  • Absent a specific assignment, report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or the Volunteer Reception Center, when activated, for additional assignments.


Hours will vary based on the nature of the incident but will not exceed one 12-hour shift/24-hour period for a maximum of 14 consecutive days. 


Deactivation 


  • Stand-down order issued by EOC or Team Leader. 


  • Return gear, submit all forms, participate in after-action debrief. 


Roles & Responsibilities 


  • Team Leader: Oversees operations, communicates with EOC, documents activities. 


  • Medical Lead: Manages triage and victim treatment area. 


  • Logistics Lead: Tracks supplies, distributes gear. 


  • Comms Lead: Maintains radio contact with Hub and EOC. 


  • Safety Officer: Monitors team safety and PPE usage. 


Supervision Responsibilities


No supervision responsibilities unless specifically assigned as a team lead. 


Training and Orientation


  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Current certification is required.


  • FEMA IS-100 (An Introduction to the Incident Command System)


  • FEMA IS-700 (An Introduction to the National Incident Management System)


  • Annual refresher and at least one drill or call-out per year.


Equipment Protocol 


  • All members must report with a CERT bag, ID, and radio. 


  • Shared search and rescue kits are cached at Disaster Hub; sign-out/in required. 


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


  • Hard hat


  • Work gloves


  • Eye protection


  • N95 mask or related items as assigned


  • Close-toed shoes and pants


Legal & Liability 


  • All active CERT members are registered under the State’s Emergency Worker Program.


  • Street-level self-activation covered by Good Samaritan Law when within scope of training. 

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