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Involvement leads to commitment

NEWS January 2005 - June 2005

CERT Alert Newsletter June 30, 2005  

Enrollment has started for Class 16 starting July 12th. Click on the July Training tab to see the sessions schedule. Complete an application, purchase your needed personal protective equipment, start your 72 hour kit and attend the training in downtown Fresno! Eight sessions, we'll be finished by the end of the month.

San Joaquin Valley Amateur Radio Society (SJVARS) participated in the annual Amateur Radio Relay League's (ARRL) Field Day Saturday and Sunday June 25-26, 2005 where amateur radio operators attempt to make contact with each other around the world and log their results on a competitive basis. 

A fun day out in the trees of Pinehurst near Sequoia Park east of Fresno. This experience creates SJVARS member team work, tests their equipment and above all radio skills. Thanks to Kim Davis, President SJVARS for inviting CERT Fresno to observe.

Fresno Police Sergeant Don G. is now Lieutenant Don and Sergeant Ron G. assumes Homeland Security Unit/Fresno Citizen Corps responsibility. Congratulations to Don - he's once again learning to work nights and sleep days out on patrol!

Along with Fresno County Agricultural Department, Fresno County Sheriff, Fresno County Emergency Services, State Office of Emergency Services and a host of regional First-Responders, several CERT Instructors and CERT Graduates are now certified to teach a new short course titled Preparing Communities for AgroTerrorism - an Awareness overview. Developed in partnership with several entities across the US (including the City Fresno PD) under contract by the Office of Domestic Preparedness, Department of Homeland Security we will deliver this short four-hour overview course on request. Ali, Carla, Skip. Gwen, Glenn, Pete and Cedric were among those awarded the instructional certificate after attending a train-the-trainer Thursday June 23rd. Fresno County as the largest agro-producer in the US will benefit greatly by this new course.

Flag Day 2005 Newsletter for Fresno Citizen Corps Thanks to Fresno County Economic Opportunity Center (FCEOC) an independent non-profit community corporation sponsoring the Fresno Safe and Proud Neighborhood program of AmeriCorps  here is their Flag Day Newsletter

Because of fireworks fires (Do you have a fire-prone shake-shingle roof?) July 4th is one of the busiest fire-response evenings of the year. While not yet confirmed, we are planning on staffing a small CERT/FireCorps mobile REHAB unit from 7:30 pm July 4th to 2 am July 5th providing hydration to exhausted City of Fresno fire-crews. We could probably use one more CERT Fresno trained person only. Contact Cedric.

July CERT Level One Training Series is posted here.

Friday mid-day June 17th CERT Fresno Instructors (and area First Responders) were invited by State Farm Insurance to a Web-Cast on modern car extrications as the result of collisions. Battalion Chief Ron Moore of McKinney Texas Fire Department led the nation-wide satellite event. We learned that some cars today have up to twelve air-bags that will or will-not deploy in a collision. Those air bags not deployed become a hazard to rescuers in that they could deploy during rescue attempt. So, first thing to do is disconnect the battery (with two cuts of the lines at least an inch apart, negative terminal first) - but at least one model (Mercedes SL) today has two batteries, one in the front engine compartment and one in the trunk - so how do you know you've cut the power? Check dash, interior and headlights (carefully). When the power is cut the circuits require about five minutes to bleed their capacitors thereby minimizing chance of air bag deployment - BUT deployment is still possible if static electricity activates the  Sodium Azid (chemical that inflates the air bag)  - all in all still a danger for responders. Yet another newly recognized danger in extrication is a pressurized air cylinder of about 3,000 PSI used to deploy the large the large side-curtain air-bags above the doors near the roof line. The danger here is in accidentally cutting that high-pressure cylinder in attempting to saw the car body open - the location of the cylinders and lines must be determined before sawing. The only way to do that is to tear away the interior lining above the doors along the roof line. If you miss the cylinder itself, cutting the air line can create a very dangerous shooting rocket. Another issue for emergency extrication, car frames and side crash bars are being reinforced with Boron Steel - cutting tools have a very difficult time with Boron Steel quickly dulling non-flame cutters. The Ford 150 is now using a magnesium structural vertical frame near the engine compartment - this will burn with white-hot heat if ignited and water will not put magnesium out. We also learned about hybrid cars and how to insure their not continuing under power - best way after disconnecting the regular battery, removing keys (or taking remote operating SmartKeys at least 20 feet away from vehicle), using the high voltage cut-off switch in the rear trunk near the hybrid battery pack,  is to chock the wheels to prevent movement of the car. Jeez responders really are at risk in modern-day cars. Thanks to State Farm for delivering a very high-quality program. We will incorporate this information where appropriate into CERT Fresno Training.

Thursday evening June 16th, a hardy small group of Level Three CERTs learned about the role amateur radio will play in disasters. The newly formed (December 2004) San Joaquin Valley Amateur Radio Society (SJARS) http://www.sjvars.com through their project Valley Emergency Communications Corps (VECC) led by Kim Davis, President led us in training and hands-on activity demonstrating what amateur radio operators (Hams) can achieve establishing and improving disaster communications for victims AND responders. Carole Whitteberry gave us amateur radio history and technical overview. Gene Davis ran a live on-air Radio Net with SJARS members scattered around the central valley utilizing a radio repeater (duplex transmissions) and without the repeater (simplex transmissions).  CERT members used the opportunity to utilize the net with transmissions from the training room in City of Fresno Police Annex. It turns out we have several CERTs who have experience or a background in amateur radio already. The discussion led to how CERT's communicate within their teams (FRS Radios is our policy) and consequently will communicate with IC. This we concluded can be achieved through something like the VECC at some point. As a result of this  amateur radio training we should have interested members pursuing FCC licensing as amateur radio operators in order to assist in the wider "Teams to IC" Radio Net role. Thanks to Kim, Gene and Carol for providing the equipment and interactive training session.

Flag Day in front of Fresno City Council. Fresno Citizen Corps celebrated Flag Day by recognizing AmeriCorps (Fresno EOC) participation. Thirty Americorps members participate in Safe and Proud Neighborhoods working with Fresno EOC, Sanctuary, Police, Fire and other community improvement undertakings under Fresno Citizen Corps. Pictures on the Photo page. 

FLAG DAY JUNE 14, 2005

Celebrating Citizenship, Service and Responsibility 

In a few short years, we’ve made tremendous progress as a nation shoring up our vulnerabilities to threats of all kinds—whether they’re natural or man-made, accidental or intentionally hostile.       

We owe an awesome debt to the thousands of federal, state and local officials and private-sector first responders who have, in that time, transformed their operations and procedures and put our cities, counties, states and regions on a better footing to respond to any emergency that may occur.  

But as unsung and heroic as their contributions have been to our readiness, there is another quiet and effective player in homeland and hometown security—the local volunteer.   

Through Citizen Corps, a component of President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps that is coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security, a growing legion of citizens are taking personal responsibility to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.  They have realized that it is essential for citizens be prepared and trained to perform well should a calamity visit their community.  

Consider that during 95 percent of all emergencies it is the victim or a bystander who provides the first, immediate assistance. The plain fact is that while we have the best trained and equipped police, fire and rescue crews, EMTs, doctors and nurses and other formal emergency response teams in the world, they cannot be everywhere at every moment. We must rely on citizens to take it upon themselves to help ensure the safety of their own homes, businesses and community.  

And when individuals embrace this personal responsibility, there is a powerful cumulative effect. By putting together an emergency preparedness plan and survival supplies for their home or workplace, they’re not merely taking care of themselves and the people closest to them, they’re ensuring that professional first responders and disaster personnel will likely have one less emergency to respond to. They’re also setting an example for others that, person by person, house by house, and business by business, we can reinforce an entire community’s defenses to the hazards that threaten our lives and property. 

All this happens through a nationwide grassroots network of local Citizen Corps Councils that assemble area leaders—people in law enforcement, fire, public health, emergency services, emergency management, the military, volunteer organizations, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, and other community stakeholders—to design and implement activities that call for volunteer participation. In less than four years, more than 1,660 communities in every state and territory have established Citizens Corps Councils, serving more than two-thirds of the U.S. population.  

In Fresno, we are proud to have a very active Citizen Corps Council working with residents to make our community safer.  Since our Council was formed on September 11, 2002, more than 260 citizens have completed FEMA’s 20-hour disaster preparedness course, a volunteer Medical Reserve Corps has been formed, and citizens are volunteering with emergency response and law enforcement agencies in record numbers. In addition, AmeriCorps volunteers are now working with numerous community partners to help improve community safety and grow Neighborhood Watch through the “Fresno Safe and Proud Neighborhoods” program.   

These examples illustrate that people of all ages and skills have something to offer.  If you’re multilingual, good at computers, handy with tools, well organized, or even have a lot of time to give, you’re already a valuable resource to your community. Preparedness takes all kinds.  

On this Flag Day, a day that we reflect on what it means to be an American, I encourage all citizens of America to pledge their personal commitment to take an active role in hometown security. 

Prepare. Make a plan for what you and your family will do in an emergency, and organize the supplies that you’ll need to weather it at home, at work, and in your car. You can learn more from the Citizen Corps website or by visiting Ready.gov.  Learn about emergency plans for schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. Take steps to reduce property damage from potential fires and natural hazards.  Help to reduce crime by joining Neighborhood Watch, being observant and reporting crime to local law enforcement. 

Get trained. Learn first aid, fire safety and other disaster response procedures through FEMA’s 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.  More than 1,000 CERT programs exist now in all 50 states and territories, including Fresno. Take CPR or first aid from the Red Cross or any number of excellent training programs offered in our community. 

Volunteer. Whether it’s helping develop an improved community emergency communications system, participating in disaster preparedness exercises, providing administrative support through the Volunteers in Police Service program, becoming a Citizen On Patrol, conducting door-to-door smoke detector campaigns, strengthening your Neighborhood Watch group, taking CERT training, joining the newly formed Medical Reserve Corps, or organizing local businesses to support a preparedness campaign—the  bottom line is—get involved.  

The impulse to get involved in local civic life or to volunteer for worthy causes is a uniquely American impulse.  Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and through a long series of devastating natural disasters, people across America have focused on the safety and security of others and have asked, “What can I do?” and “How can I help?”  Citizen Corps answers these questions and provides local opportunities to channel this interest and energy through preparedness, training, and volunteer service.  Our flag no longer symbolizes only patriotism, but action too.  And being an American citizen means taking a role in hometown security.  It is through that personal responsibility we will build a safer, stronger, better prepared nation.  

Personal Responsibility: The Foundation of Homeland Security

For more information about how you can get involved visit www.FresnoCitizenCorps.org  Carla Glazebrook, Executive Director, Peter Weber Chair

Fresno Citizen Corps Newslettter June 2005

Clovis Fire Department will present a two-day grant writing workshop June 23-24, 2005. Cost is $349 on-line at http://GrantWritingUSA.com 

Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff at the German Marshall Fund and European Policy Centre
Brussels, Belgium
German Marshall Fund and European Policy Centre
May 23, 2005
(Remarks as Prepared)

From the attacks of 9/11 to those carried out in Madrid, Beslan, Jakarta, and Istanbul -- we know that terrorism is a scourge that is felt globally and must therefore be addressed globally. Together, Europe and America, along with our other international allies, have worked to eradicate the threat terrorism poses to our safety and our freedom. Over the past few years, much has been done to bolster our transatlantic alliance and build upon an already strong foundation of collaboration and partnership. But if we are going to arrive at a day when international terror no longer haunts our countries and our citizens, then we must be prepared to advance our cooperation to the next level and further engage each other and the entire global community.

The reality is we cannot expect to defeat terrorism the same way we have defeated enemies in the past – by massing superior forces in the field. With terrorism, we are facing more than an army – we are fighting a network – an insidious network of terror that stretches across the globe. Economist Thomas Friedman recently observed in his book, The World is Flat, that terrorism in the 21st century is really the globalization of the kind of individual terror acts we saw in the 20th century.

And much as globalization has transformed the world of business, it has transformed the world of terror. The 9/11 attacks are a primary example of this type of terrorist globalization at work. In that instance, a plot was hatched in Central Asia with recruits who came from Saudi Arabia, who were trained in Afghanistan, who set up and began to develop their infrastructure and their platform in Europe, and who then carried out and executed their mission here in the United States. That is globalization. That is networking. That is outsourcing. All in the service of evil. For terrorism has now outfitted itself in the techniques and technology of a 21st century organization. So, we must respond by examining the 21st century structures and systems that terrorists exploit in order to carry out their missions so that we pinpoint the vulnerabilities and shut them down. In most networks, vulnerability points tend to be in communication, financing, and transportation. Those are the kinds of activities that bind a network together.

Our responsibility is to break apart those points within the terrorist network – cut off their communication, isolate their financial resources, eliminate their transportation capabilities – and in doing so dismantle the network entirely. However, to do so, to challenge the kind of interdependence a terrorist network thrives upon, we must be able to confront the network everywhere it operates. And that means we have to be able to function internationally and work together seamlessly. We have to build up and refine our own network if we are going to compete with and combat the terrorist network..............

Full text   http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/speech/speech_0253.xml

Newly trained CERT Graduates put their small fire suppression skills to use Memorial Day Weekend. Fresno Pacific Campus Safety Officers Albert and Renee came upon a fire on Campus. Using their newly learned CERT skills they extinguished the small blaze before FFD arrived.          CERT Training was possible by the strong support of Campus Safety Chief Gary Mejia.....and that was made possible cause Gary's wife Cindy had taken CERT training last year - it's all in the family!

Latest Newsletter CERT Alert May 30, 2005

The San Joaquin River (SJR) release rate from Friant Dam was flowing at 8,470 cubic feet of water per second (CFS) in the week prior to Memorial Day. Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River had their discharge rate above 10,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) but now decreased to 9878 CFS. This snow-melt water is truly Swift and Cold (50.9 degrees Fahrenheit). There are tree limbs now covered by water snagging any who dare venture in. Naturally it is most dangerous to swim. Here is a picture at SJR at Lost Lake Park downstream from the dam. CERT's should be aware there may be downstream flooding. If flooding occurs DO NOT CROSS running water as only a few inches will sweep you off your feet. If buildings are threatened turn off gas/propane, electricity and seek higher ground.

We graduated Class 15 on Saturday May 21st. To date we have 250 graduates from throughout Fresno County. People who now know what to put in a 72 hour kit, how to work with their neighbors and how to interface through ICS if necessary with First Responders. Congratulations to the latest grads. Class 16 will be offered in the near future; check the calendar when it is posted! 

Fresno's Fire Chief Foundation fundraiser was Saturday May 14th from 1pm to 5pm. There was gourmet food, Silent and Live Auction, Live Music and most of all a large turnout

Earlier on Saturday, Gwen did an outstanding job leading Class 15 on Disaster Medical Operations I and II the morning and afternoon sessions. One EMT was heard to say Gwen had made the medical subject they found difficult when originally taught but now into an "...extremely clear subject they easily understood without all that usual medical jargon ..."   - Great work Gwen!.

Class 15 began training  May 10th. Skills learned can be used right now - you don't have to wait until a disaster hits. On May 13th we heard from Gwen and Glen about Small Fire Suppression. During our last two classes we had Firefighter/Emt members of the California Air National Guard (ANG) 144th Fighter Wing participate - Thanks to Allan, Ed and Jorge for their assistance! Our country is in goods hand with the high caliber of young men we've seen with the ANG.

If you are involved in Acute Medical Care during and after disaster, George Washington University under funding from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation produced a December 2002 paper entitled Medical and Health Incident Management (MaHIM) System: A Comprehensive Functional System Description for Mass Casualty Medical and Health Incident Management (108pp) - Also published a graphic model for Medical Incident Management.

Department of Homeland Security National Response Plan (NRP) short version for Federal Agencies is available Click Here. The California Draft State Plan is listed below.

Latest Fresno Citizen Corps Newsletter April 2005 (PDF)

Latest Fresno Citizen Corps Newsletter April 2005(MS Word)

We've graduated Class 14 on Saturday April 16th now with over 250 CERT Grads. Class 15 will begin May 2005, but for now there will be restricted registration for faculty, staff, students and community partners of Fresno Pacific University - a neighborhood test area in Southeast Fresno. One of our long-term objectives is to create neighborhood teams. This May Class 15 will be a pilot program to test that objective. We may open the class to others, so a space available wait-list will be held. Class 15 is the third of four offerings this calendar year. The fourth series will be Fall 2005.

Fresno Citizen Corps Council affirmed on April 11th the Fresno CERT Program is a Fresno Countywide program. A sub-committee of CERT Instructors will be named to insure high-quality training standards.

CERT Fresno Instructor Ali Umar has been working with Central California area native tribal leaders to create Tribal Community Emergency Response Teams (T- CERT). Check photo's for a picture of Ali at the New Years Eve Red Road PowWow. Ali is doing awesome developmental work in developing T-CERT!

State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) completed March 24, 2005 the Final Draft of the Statewide Emergency Management Strategic Plan. Note the list of Governmental vs Non-Governmental participants.  The open comment period closes April 14th, with a Final Plan publishing date of April 28th.

Class 14 began training April 4th - only three remaining class cycles this calendar year! Sign up today, simply complete the registration on Home page - don't forget to purchase your Personal Protective Equipment!

March CERT Newsletter

CERT Alert March 2005 PDF File  CERT Alert March 2005 DOC File.

Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado has posted a Quick Response Research Report #170 examining CERT Organizations in Virginia in response to Hurricane Isabel http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr/qr170/qr170.html  

February CERT Newsletter published click below to download:

CERT Alert February 2005 PDF File     CERT Alert February 2005 DOC File.

Class 14 offered in April 2005. Also a CERT Continued Education for prior CERT Graduates held March 12th. The half-day topic trains Urban Wilderness Survival Skills in a Disaster with hands-on sessions in obtaining potable water, assembling shelter, sanitation building and signaling communication.

Class 13 Graduated Saturday January 29th after a very lively final simulation. Serious Play lets adults enjoy the learning process. These grads were mostly strangers to each other at the beginning and by the end have achieved a tight team mentality. 

A Joint CERT/COP Continuing Education session was held Monday evening January 17th, in Fresno City Council Chambers. Ken Bangs a CERT Instructor and Training Instructor for Fresno County Search and Rescue led a session in Urban Search. Cedric, Glen and Gwen Blomgren assisted. See the photo section.

January Newsletter published click below to download:

 CERT Alert January 2005 PDF File    CERT Alert January 2005 DOC File.

This weeks (January 4th through 7th) string of heavy rain and high 45 MPH winds brought out a CERT Call-Up January 7th about 1645 Hrs for help in filling sand bags. In time we had about 19 CERT Trained members on-scene helping the Fresno Streets Division keep up with a very high demand for sand bags - a demand they were not able to keep up with. Justin Ortiz (AmeriCorps Volunteer) and staff to Fresno Citizen Corps was in training all day and when the City Emergency Services Coordinator spied Justin as he was leaving the training - Justin was named Volunteer Coordinator on-the-spot. Justin called Cedric and they both went into CERT Call-up mode manning a station in the Fresno Emergency Operations Center. Many who were called dropped what-ever they were doing and responded within an hour. Those who assisted filled 50 pallet loads within the three and a half-hour period. City crews were relieved and were able to be released to trim the over 150 fallen trees. It was almost all over by 2100 HRS. Really great work by CERT and the Fresno-area residents (and overwhelmed City crews) are very thankful. Check out the photo's.

Here is the January 2005.CERT Basic calendar  This is the first of four planned Basic CERT 20 hour courses in calendar year 2005. While still delivering the basic series, our emphasis is shifting to an increased CERT Advanced Training series. Registration to the basic series is now open to those who just want to learn disaster preparation in January.  For the basic course complete the PDF 2005 application or the WORD 2005 application and fax to 559-433-1010. If you are making up a previously missed session please reserve your seat in the needed class session by calling 559-621-2328.

Reminder, after graduating from the basic course, we do a background investigation on your specific signed authorization for those who apply to become a CERTeam member as this is a trusted public safety volunteering opportunity. CERTeam is an optional application.step for those who wish to take the advanced step and become a CERTeam member and not all will qualify.

Read an MD's grim but riveting account of what it was like to work at Ground Zero September 11, 2004. http://www.equipped.org/groundzero.htm There are lots of lessons here for CERT's.

The United States Fire Administration created (May 6, 2004) Fire Corps a non-suppression related volunteer opportunity designed to strengthen the relationship between the firehouse and the community. A PDF file of the news release is here. The Volunteers In Policing (VIP is called Citizens On Patrol in Fresno) was the model used for Fire Corps. December 3rd the national web site was launched http://www.firecorps.org Unfortunately currently due to lack of funding the USFA Fire Corps model is not being utilized here in Fresno.

Copyright 2003-2005 Fresno Citizen Corps. CERT Fresno funded in part by FEMA through California Service Corps.
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Last updated: October 13, 2005.