03/21/2020
A note from CERT Commander Cody Weireter:
I hope that you are doing well and staying grounded. There is obviously a lot of concern, uncertainty, and fear within our communities currently.
New directives, emergency orders, and additional restrictions continue to take effect within the State of California. We have really only begin to scratch the surface of this life changing event with the most difficult challenges yet to come.
As I generate this update, I try not to focus on my personal regrets or the "Should Have Prior To"s with this incredible Team, but instead focus on the successes of what has been accomplished. In light of this current situation, a wealth of forward momentum has been created within the LAFD CERT Unit and immediate lessons learned with this situation has given me the motivational push in making decisions sometimes not so popular a little bit easier.
Each of You are an incredible asset to your community, the LAFD, and simply said just good people all around. I truly am honored to be assigned as the LAFD CERT Captain and feel that it is a privilege to lead a Team such as this.
The following is a quick snapshot of what Your LAFD is doing in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:
The LAFD Department Operations Center is fully staffed and has been operational the entire week. They are working closely with the City's Emergency Operations Center developing response measures, contingency plans, and establishing policies and procedures for providing continuity and strength to serve the public. Captain II John Ignatczyk is the Deputy Operations Commander assigned to the EOC currently.
Changes in LA County Treatment Protocols for Firefighter Paramedics have improved chances of limiting unnecessary transmission/exposure of the virus at local hospitals if patients are not exhibiting signs of a life threatening emergency.
Most of the LAFD Civian workforce have been directed to stay home and begin telecommuting operations.
Pre-Identified Fire Station Community Rooms have been set up for LAFD Member Quarantine if needed
Plans are being developed for LAFD assistance to be provided in some form for drive in testing areas
Coordination and collaboration between All City entities and Departments continues to be a productive and successful process
A General Update Impacting the LAFD CERT Team:
Currently the EOC and LAFD DOC are not requesting Volunteers of any type. One major reason this current posture is being maintained is that the City of Los Angeles has a multitude of employees that are currently being paid and if their primary job has been impacted by closures to a City facility or services discontinued temporarily, those City employees are then redirected to fulfill essential functions.
On March 26, 2020 I will be joining Departments throughout California for a Conference Call with Cal OES that will provide clear direction on limitations, Risk Management, and Accountability procedures for deployment of CERT Volunteers that are members of a Public Safety Department CERT Team. I anticipate that the information provided in this conference will directly influence deployment options and actions moving forward.
Clarification on individuals wishing to volunteer outside LAFD CERT:
YES YOU CAN is the answer for those individuals wishing to volunteer for organizations outside the LAFD CERT Program
In the event you do volunteer for an organization outside the LAFD CERT Unit, You are not operating as an LAFD CERT Team Member
CERT Vests, CERT T Shirts, CERT Hats, Anything with the general CERT logo is your choice to wear if operating as a volunteer who is CERT trained. However, Any CERT apparel that is tied back to the LAFD is not allowed.
The Chief Service officer for California welcomed those wishing to volunteer to visit SERVE.CA.GOV (NOT AS AN LAFD CERT MEMBER)
Another site to visit for those wishing to offer their services as a community member: VolunteerLA (NOT AS AN LAFD CERT MEMBER)
Moving Forward:
I am hearing some incredible ways some of our Team Members are capitalizing on technology to continue community meetings and engagement and really look forward to advertising this positive message through our social media platforms
Pre-Planning for potential LAFD CERT Requests and Deployments. If I have learned anything while in this position, it is I WILL receive a "It's Go Time" request with little to no warning.
Communication and Accountability is crucial in these times. Take care of one another and continue to check on our Team Members. Continue to be Your Communities beacon of hope. As a Community Member that has been trained in CERT and a wide range of other disciplines, You can be that organizer. It does not need to be an LAFD CERT Team deployment for you to organize that Neighborhood Team to make an impact within your community.
Mass Messaging and Notification- In the coming weeks, all members of the LAFD CERT Team will receive a request for updated contact information and emergency contact information. This will assist us in updating our mass messaging and notification system on the LAFD ERS System (Formally the CIA Call Out System)
In anticipation of potential deployments for CERT across California, FEMA pushed this out to assist CERT Membership
The Region II National Preparedness team is hosting two mental health webinars for CERT stakeholders next week, recognizing the potential stress to come if teams are asked to support the COVID-19 response. Please feel free to share with your stakeholders as you see fit.
Trauma-Informed Management of People in Crisis
Tuesday, March 24, 6:00-7:30pm
Please join the Regional II National Preparedness Division to discuss what “trauma” is from a psychological standpoint, and how crises effect individuals. This will help attendees to recognize signs of stress in coworkers, the general public, or themselves; and develop approaches to better address these from a managerial standpoint.
https://icpd.adobeconnect.com/r2traumainformed/event/registration.html
Psychological First Aid for CERT
Thursday, March 26, 6:00-7:30pm
Please join the Regional II National Preparedness Division as we dive deeper into strategies for addressing psychological stress in yourself, coworkers, or general public that you may come in contact with during the course of your emergency response.
https://icpd.adobeconnect.com/r2_pfa/event/registration.html
Closing:
We will prevail. As a Team, as a City, as a Society We will succeed. Remember to Take Care of Yourselves and Those Around You. Try to limit any non essential travel and hunker down as I know a lot of you have been. Please ensure all of our LAFD CERT Call Out Team members receive this, seeing how we have gmail accounts that about 7 of you utilize.
I will provide additional information as it comes and will keep all of you in my thoughts.
Be Safe Out There,
--
CODY WEIRETER, CAPTAIN I
Los Angeles Fire Department
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Homeland Security Division
Home Page: Cert-LA LAFD News & Info: LAFD.org/news
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