BACKGROUND
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) have been developed in many communities to help respond to disasters and emergencies that overwhelm first responders. There are minimum training standards as outlined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under their Citizens Corp program, however, each community utilizes their CERT volunteers as they deem the most appropriate and provide additional training as applicable. Airports of all sizes also can quickly become overwhelmed in a natural disaster or aircraft incident where their community members want to provide assistance. Smaller airports tend to have limited staff but, just like larger airports, can become the focal point within their community in a disaster recovery plan. Volunteers can be a valuable resource to an airport. However, it is not the time during a disaster or emergency to determine the qualifications, provide training, and obtain necessary security checks to enlist or utilize volunteers to assist. While there are established CERTs within many communities, including some with airports, there is research needed to help airports develop and integrate CERTs in their emergency response planning.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to develop a model CERT program for the airport community that includes (1) an awareness plan and description of benefits, (2) implementation guidance, and (3) steps for integrating into airport emergency response planning.
STATUS: Report 95: Integrating Community Emergency Response Teams at Airports (A-CERTs), has been published as a 3-part series. Part 1:
What is CERT and How do I Use It? explains what a CERT is and how it can be used in the airport environment. Part 2:
Basic Training Instructor Guide is the detailed curriculum that airports can use to train volunteers to assist in an emergency. Part 3:
Basic Training Student Guide: is the resource for the volunteers as they participate in the training program. In addition, the PowerPoint slides used in the training curriculum can also downloaded, along with a video that can be used to raise awareness for and solicit volunteers for an Airport CERT.
