Electrical Do's and
Don'ts
Identification Badges
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The Early Response Team is a self-sufficient, rapid response
team that performs chaining saw work to clear paths on streets and
ways to homeowner doors, tarping roofs and covering windows with
plastic provide a safe, sanitary, and secure environment for that
structure until the later disaster teams can arrive and provide broader
services.
CONSIDERATIONS
OR PREPARATION FOR RESPONDING
| Age Limitation: All Early Response Team member must
be 18 years of age or older due to the higher risks involved
with the work.
| Local Agency Report To: The days of a couple of guys
throwing their chain saws, a tent, and a couple of sleeping
bags in the back of a pickup and heading to a disaster site
are almost gone and that truckload of guys are actually
unwelcome at a disaster site. There are many roles for
volunteers, as one can find on the menu list, but individuals
must be proper trained volunteers and have the identifications
to prove it. More information on the training is found
with menu item, "Training Matrixes" and
further down this page. Under the Incident Command System,
every team has to have an agency (conference, church, etc. in
the area) to report to and in order that the team can be
utilized most effectively. Also, if a team is headed
outside their conference the team leader should also
communicate the particulars of the trip with the Conference
Disaster Chairperson or the designee.
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| Identification: After a disaster, the
area impacted by the disaster is closed off by police or
military and there may be requirements to limit access to
the area in order 1) to protect the valuables of those having homes or
businesses in the area, 2) prevent sightseers from getting in
the way or becoming another victim, and 3) provide space
for responders to do their work. At the checkpoints,
identification will be checked and those without any or
having the proper credentials will be turned away. At
the moment, the Methodist identification is appropriate;
however at some point in the near future the Federal
ID will replace or supplement the Methodist ID.
See menu item at left for more detail. Once the
checkpoints are removed, there should be little requirement
for identification and clean-up disaster teams without
identification and others should be to enter the area. |
| Work Time Interval: Most teams, as
volunteers, will have a limit to the work time in the
disaster area, ranging from 3-5 days, whereupon they return
home and another team replaces them. This may occur
smoothly or there may be gaps between teams. For many,
the work will be very physical and the time period will
arrive as they approach exhaustion. |
| Water: Sufficient water for each team
member considering team member weight, the outside
temperature that you will be experiencing, and the uses
(cooking, bathing/washing, etc.) (See appendix for the
Intro training
document referenced below). |
| Fuel: Assume all gas stations and
stores will be closed in the disaster area unless the
disaster is small or medium in size. Anyway find out
first. Fuel (gasoline,
diesel) should be in properly safe containers for all
vehicles with team. Fuel should cover 35 miles in and
out (70 miles) plus travel in disaster area and some idling
with backed up 4-way stops. Don't forget cooking fuel
(propane, charcoal, etc.). Take care in filling tanks from
gas pump to avoid static sparks. |
| Food: Enough for the entire trip less
travel time plus at least one additional day minimum, if
room add food to share particularly for lunches. Don't
forget the 10-2-4 breaks and food for them to prevent daily
exhaustion. |
| Shelter: Arranged housing even if you
are sleeping in a
building hallway or a tent or tents for team. Just
know how and where you will be staying before you leave. |
| Communications: A portable radio may
provide useful information, two way radios with multiple
channels or a CB radio are useful when traveling with two or
more vehicles, and a portable short wave radio with a
licensed operator for each team is the best choice.
Assume that local phones and cell towers will be initially
down or overloaded. For large disasters, there
will be a first response effort to get one AM/FM radio station up
and broadcast disaster news and updates. |
| Power: Assume that there will be no
power initially. Bring a portable generator if needed
for tools. |
| Weather: Appropriate gear and housing
location for type of weather such as rain storms after a
hurricane |
| GPS: For large wind or storm surge
disasters, road signs may be gone and some roads blocked.
A GPS is very helpful in these situations when trying to get
to a certain address. Oftentimes the church or agency,
will provide Mapquest or Google maps to the work order
destination. |
| Supplies: Bring enough rolls of plastic, tarps, tarping nails, 1x2, and plastic to handle
most of your needs. If Federal declaration, FEMA will
provide tarps at some point or may contract a tarping
service.. |
| Equipment: In addition, to tools bring
whatever supplies will be needed (chain saw: chain lubrication oil,
sharpening file, extra chain, and sufficent oil/gas mixture. |
| Security: Nighttime watch to prevent
looting of food, fuel, tools, and vehicles. Oftentimes, this
service is provided by the church or agency that you are
working with. Still be sure to lock vehicles, tool
boxes, trailers, and trailer hitches etc. In some
areas, this might be a problem while you are working. Stay
alert! |
| Traffic considerations at or near a
disaster: When traffic lights are out, the 4-stop
procedure (taking turns goes counterclockwise), even without signs, is mandatory. Avoid any
chances that might cause a traffic accidents in a disaster
area even if the other party is in the wrong. Police officers don't have the time
for the resulting paperwork, and won't be
nice. |
TRAINING REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL
001 M-100 Introduction to Disaster Response with ERT option (3 hrs)
No matter what type of team one is headed to, everyone will receive
this training. There is a lot of background information that the new
volunteer will need in order to function effectively in a disaster.
Aspects covered are disaster terminology, ministry basis of disaster
response, Methodist history, agencies in disaster, disaster relief
services, the disaster team, disaster team member, how to prepare, what to
take, and the early response team (ERT). This course must be renewed every three years.
[Taught in classroom, Student manual, PowerPoint, and wallet
certification, cost of making ID] Required for personnel in
North Georgia Conference Disaster Response Ministry.
002 IS-100 Introduction to the Incident
Command System (2 hrs) Federal regulation (Directive 5
HSPD-5) requires that requires all personnel responding during the
Emergency Stage have completed IS-100 and 700 or not participate
during the first post-disaster stage (Emergency Stage) until the
courses have been completed. This will impact Disaster
Assessment Teams, CERT Teams, some Disaster Response Teams, some Field
Kitchen Teams, and Shower/Laundry Teams. This course introduces
the Incident Command System and provides the foundation for
higher-level ICS-training. This course describes the history,
procedures, and principles, and organizational structure of the
Incident Command System. It also explains the relationships
between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
[Taught in classroom, Student manual, classroom w/test or on-line
course w/test and certification] Required for all personnel
who response early in a disaster (Early Response Teams, Shelter Teams,
and Disaster Assessment).
003 IS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management System
(3 hrs) This course explains the purpose, principles, key
components and benefits of NIMS. The course also contains
“Planning Activity” screens giving you an opportunity to complete
some planning takes during the course. [Student
manual, classroom w/test or on-line
course w/ test and certification] Required for all personnel who
response early in a disaster (Early Response Teams, Shelter Teams, and
Disaster Assessment).
015 DR-201 Emergency Stage: Resource Damage Assessment (1.5 hr)
This course provides and forms and what is needed to determine what
types of teams are needed and the forms and procedures needed.
TRAINING REQUIRED BY TEAM
004 ARC First Aid including CPR-AED-FA (8 hrs) No team to go
into the field without a certified first aid person and the more
qualified the better. Additionally, more than one person should
be qualified. The recommended course is taught by the American Red
Cross.
005 AARL Ham Radio License - Technician Each team,
particularly ERT's and Disaster Assessment should have a ham radio
with an licensed operator. Rather than a class, information is
provided for obtaining the Technician book course book which contains
the 350 test questions and answers (check for latest question
pool-currently 7/1/06). Seventy-five of those will comprise the
test. There are two other higher levels - General and Extra
which entitle the holder to operations on additional band widths for
each level. Each has its own test but you must start with the
Technician. There is no longer a morse code requirement. E
The book is entitled The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual ($24.95
plus shipping) and may be obtained from ARRL Publications (www.arrl.org/shop).
Testing locations may be found at http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml
.
OPTIONAL TRAINING
006 IS-7 A Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance This
course provides a basic understanding of the roles and
responsibilities of the local community, State, and the federal
government in providing disaster assistance. It is appropriate
for both the general public and those involved in emergency
management who need a general introduction to disaster
assistance. [Online
course w/test] Optional
007 IS-22 Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen
Preparedness An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness"
has been designed to help the citizens of this nation learn how
to protect themselves and their families against all types of
hazards. It can be used as a reference source or as a
step-by-step manual. The focus of the content is on how to
develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect
what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to
protect people and their property. Also included is information
on how to assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains the
food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for
individuals and their families to survive. [Online
course w/test] Optional
008 IS-55 Household Hazardous Materials - A Guide for
Citizens The course will introduce you to household
hazardous materials and things you can do to protect yourself
and your family from injury or death. In the 1st unit, you will
learn about basic chemical and physical properties, the ways
chemicals enter your body, and the effects chemicals have on
your body. In the 2nd and 3rd units, you will learn about
cleaning products, lead, mercury, gasoline, compressed gases,
carbon monoxide, medical supplies, chlorine, pesticides, and
much more. In the last two units, you will cover labels,
personal protective equipment, proper disposal methods,
preventive measures to take before natural disasters, and less
toxic alternatives. [Online
course w/test] 1-3 hours. Optional
009 IS-271 Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk This
course will help you enhance your ability to recognize
potentially hazardous weather and flooding situations and how
they may affect your community and familiarizing you with
National Weather Service (NWS) products so that you understand
how to use and interpret forecasts [Online
course w/test] Optional
010 IS-010 Animals In Disaster-Awareness and Preparation The
purpose of this course is intended to increase awareness and
preparedness among animal owners and care providers. It includes
sections on typical hazards, how these affect animals and what
can be done by responsible owners to reduce the impact of
disasters. It is also intended to help animal owners, care
providers and industries to better understand emergency
management. [Online
course w/test] Optional
011 IS-011 Animals In Disaster- Community Planning
The course is intended to guide emergency management officials
and animal owners, care providers, and industries in preparing
community disaster plans. The goal is to provide sufficient
information for both groups to meet and develop meaningful and
effective plans that improve the care of animals, their owners,
and the animal-care industries in disasters. This course
provides the basic background knowledge needed to develop a
coordinated response to a disaster in which animals and their
owners are affected. [Online
course w/test] Optional
012 IS-111 Livestock in Disasters This course
is for farmers, extension agents, emergency managers and others
who have interests in the livestock industry. It describes the
various hazards that animals can face and how to mitigate them,
as well as how to respond to an actual disaster. The livestock
industry is a multi-billion dollar business that provides food
for the American people as well as those overseas. It is
important to insure our livestock are safe from hazards and will
not suffer from the effects of hazards. [Online
course w/test] Optional
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