What CERT Members Might Do To Help During  Wildland Fires

 

CERT members may be used to assist law enforcement or highway authorities with traffic control at key choke points along streets and highway to allow emergency vehicles to get to the fire and allow for evacuation traffic to get out of the area.  There will not be enough law enforcement​ officers to handle the job.  CERT members would work for law enforcement, fire personnel or highway employees, communicating conditions through the chain of command.  LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones) is a must for all those working during a wildfire and for all those that live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).  Safety is always our first concern. (See the videos below for training.)

 

CERTs could also be used for staging support of Fire Personnel and equipment. This would be away from the fire in a safe area.

 

Perimeter security and traffic management of evacuation centers, base camps and shelters​ is another way CERTs could support wildfire personnel.

 

There could be help needed at the Emergency Command Centers, Message Centers, in Communications, Logistical Support, and Public Information Office Support.

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As CERT members go through the training, they should consider what jobs they might be interested in.  More to come on additional information and training on these tasks.