CERT CERT Team Organization & ICS 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first action a CERT volunteer should take when activated?
- Rush to the disaster site immediately
- Check in with the CERT team leader (Correct answer)
- Call 911 for instructions
- Start treating injured victims
Correct answer: Check in with the CERT team leader
CERT volunteers must check in with their team leader upon activation to ensure proper accountability and receive assignments.
Question 2: Which communication method is preferred when normal phone networks are overwhelmed?
- Social media messaging
- Radio communication (Correct answer)
- Email correspondence
- Landline telephone
Correct answer: Radio communication
Radio communication is preferred during disasters when phone networks are overwhelmed, providing reliable team communication.
Question 3: What information should be included in a CERT situation report?
- Only the number of casualties
- Who, what, where, when, and resources needed (Correct answer)
- Personal opinions about the disaster
- Social media posts about the event
Correct answer: Who, what, where, when, and resources needed
A CERT situation report should include who is involved, what happened, where it occurred, when it happened, and what resources are needed.
Question 4: What does 'check-in' mean in CERT operations?
- Arriving at a hotel during deployment
- Logging your presence, skills, and assignments with the team leader (Correct answer)
- Calling your family to report your status
- Signing a volunteer liability waiver
Correct answer: Logging your presence, skills, and assignments with the team leader
Check-in means formally logging your presence, skills, and current assignment with the CERT team leader for accountability purposes.
Question 5: When should a CERT team document their actions?
- Only after the entire operation is complete
- Only when ordered by professional responders
- Continuously throughout the operation (Correct answer)
- Only during major decisions
Correct answer: Continuously throughout the operation
CERT teams should document their actions continuously throughout the operation to maintain situational awareness and accountability.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the buddy system in CERT operations?
- To ensure volunteers are never alone and increase safety (Correct answer)
- To reduce the number of volunteers needed
- To speed up triage operations
- To manage supplies more efficiently
Correct answer: To ensure volunteers are never alone and increase safety
The buddy system ensures CERT volunteers are never alone, increasing personal safety and enabling mutual assistance during operations.
CERT CERT Team Organization & ICS 2
What is the first action a CERT volunteer should take when activated?