Starting a CERT Program
Step 2: Identifying Resources
CERT Program Personnel Resources
As the CERT Program Coordinator, you will not be able to make the program successful if you don't have help. To run a healthy, growing CERT program, you will need:
- Administrative assistance (You might check with groups, such as Senior Corps or AmeriCorps for volunteers).
- A cadre of well-qualified instructors.
- Volunteers who take responsibility for parts of the program.
Use this information to determine your personnel needs and decide how you will staff the program.
Your CERT instructor cadre is another critical resource. The section titled "Establishing a Training Cadre" presents resources on recruiting, selecting, and preparing instructors.
CERT Program Coordinator
As the CERT Program Coordinator, you are responsible for the overall success of the program for your community. But what does a Program Coordinator do? Some of your key responsibilities are listed below. As you progress through program development and introduce program maintenance, you will identify other responsibilities. When you do, add them to this list as a reminder of what it takes to run a CERT program.
General Management
- Develop the initial plan for implementing a CERT program in the community.
- Develop forms and records or a database to track training, program participation, exercises, mailings, etc.
- Develop a budget and obtain funding.
- Maintain records (financial, inventory, database of CERT members, etc.).
- Coordinate a CERT electronic newsletter or other mailings to maintain contact with current CERT volunteers.
- Establish Standard Operating Procedures for the use of CERTs in disaster and nondisaster situations.
- Evaluate the overall program.
Marketing
- Gain support by marketing the plan to local leaders, unions, first responders, citizens, employers, and potential partners.
- Pitch to the media to gain public recognition of CERT capabilities and accomplishments.
Training
- Train administrative staff to handle public inquiries by phone and email about the program.
- Schedule training, follow-up training, exercises, special events, etc.
- Arrange all program logistics, including classroom setup.
- Identify, recruit, train, and schedule instructors.
- Recruit class participants.
- Maintain the course content.
- Provide an orientation at the beginning of each course (very important for new programs, less important in well-established programs).
- Monitor classroom delivery.
- Evaluate training and results.
- Arrange for speakers at graduation.
- Develop supplemental classes, exercises, and projects to keep CERT members involved and improve their skills.
Administrative Assistance (Paid or Volunteer)
CERT will generate a lot of telephone calls and a lot of paperwork. While you are marketing the program to key stakeholders and running classes, you will need someone reliable to assist you by:
- Answering telephone calls and responding to routine inquiries.
- Processing mailings.
- Processing registrations.
- Arranging the training logistics.
- Maintaining the CERT member database.
- Arranging for the printing of course materials, flyers, brochures, and other CERT materials.
- Helping with a newsletter and/or website.
You may be able to delegate other responsibilities. CERT members may have leadership, administrative, and creative talents that can help you. Remember, it is their program.