EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Revised: October, 2011
CERT Annex
Purpose
This annex explains the organizational structure of the Pomona CERT team and how
they will be activated to coordinate with the Pomona EOC response.
Overview
In an emergency, the Pomona CERT Team members are an essential core group of
volunteer responders to assist in the response to a disaster or emergency as directed
by the EOC Volunteer Unit Coordinator.
Objectives
In any wide spread disaster, the first basic assumption is that aid from local agencies to
the Cal Poly Pomona campus will be delayed leaving the campus with minimal support.
The Pomona CERT team is a core of volunteers who can provide situational awareness
to the Cal Poly Pomona Emergency Operations Center (EOC), provide basic first aid,
and perform other duties as assigned. These functions may include:
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Assist campus and other professional responders with the life safety of victims.
Triage victims and provide basic first aid.
Use training to keep victims calm and organized.
Communicate situation changes as needed to the EOC Volunteer Unit
Coordinator in a timely, accurate and organized process.
Assist EOC Logistics and Operations with the movement and coordination of
supplies
Work with other campus responders on sheltering operations.
Assist with spontaneous volunteer management.
Communication Runners
Administrative assistance
Support logistical staging areas
Record keeping in the EOC
Staffing barricades for restricted areas
Concept of Operations
The Pomona CERT Team members will operate under the following policies during a
disaster as the situation dictates:
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The Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National
Incident Management System (NIMS) will be followed.
Cal Poly Pomona
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
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Revised: October, 2011
Existing University and departmental disaster operating procedures should be
followed. Depending on the size and impact of the disaster, these procedures may
need to be modified or suspended.
All on-duty personnel are expected to remain at work until released. Off-duty
personnel will be expected to return to work in accordance with the University’s
policies.
While in a disaster mode, work shifts typically will be 12 hours on and 12 hours off
for the duration of the event. The length of the work shifts may be adjusted to meet
the University’s needs and local conditions.
Activation/Deployment
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The Pomona CERT team leaders will be activated through the Cal Poly Pomona
Blackboard Connect Mass Notification System on the request of the Incident
Commander.
Once activated, team leaders should report to the staging area as directed in the
alert message.
Should the communications system fail before activation has occurred, the team
members should deploy to the Lot F surface parking lot next to the University
Police Department and await for instructions from the EOC
Note: The Pomona CERT team is intended to support Cal Poly Pomona, not the
greater Pomona areas. In the event of a wide spread disaster, Cal Poly Pomona
will be the priority, although the CERT team may have interaction with other
Pomona responders in conjunction with campus responders.
Communications
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The EOC Volunteer Unit Coordinator in the Logistics Section is responsible for
maintaining communications with the Pomona CERT Team to provide
information and direction from the EOC.
Team Coordinator will contact members via personal cell phones.
In the event of a communications failure, team leaders will work in the “buddy
system”, so that one can quickly send communications via a runner while the
other stays with the team.
Safety and Scope of Response
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POMONA CERT team members are not meant to be frontline responders, but
rather support the professional responders and assist the POMONA EOC staff as
needed.
Members will not be asked to perform specific technical duties that are beyond
the scope of training.
Actual duties will vary based on the incident or event.
POMONA CERT members are reminded that their personal safety comes first. If
they are unsure or unclear about a task, they should immediately contact the
EOC Volunteer Unit Coordinator for further instructions.
Cal Poly Pomona
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Revised: October, 2011
Primary Responsibilities:
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Provide life/safety support to victims of an emergency/disaster.
Assist in establishing order and calm in the immediate aftermath of an
emergency.
Provide basic first aid, support and information to victims of the emergency.
Promote the timely communication of life/safety and situational awareness
information to the Volunteer Coordinator in the EOC Logistics section.
Start Up:
 Check in upon arrival at the staging area as directed by the EOC.
 Establish communication with the EOC Volunteer Coordinator and tell them:
1. Who you are
2. Where you are
3. Provide your contact information.
 Print your name on the POMONA CERT Team Leaders sign-in sheet.
 Obtain a briefing on the situation from Volunteer Coodinator of the EOC or Incident
Commander if EOC is not activated.
 Determine your work location and set up as necessary.
 Put on your green vest and helmet.
 Review your position responsibilities.
 Secure space with a table, some chairs, etc.
 Begin to keep a CERT Activity Log of actions taken
 Distribute appropriate forms and key contact phone numbers to team members.
 In coordination with the EOC Volunteer Coordinator, assign team functions based
upon training and ability.
 Create a written work schedule.
Assignments/Staffing:
 Report to the EOC Volunteer Coordinator in the Logistics
 Clarify issues regarding your authority and assignment.
Cal Poly Pomona
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Revised: October, 2011
Documentation:
Note: Complete and precise information is essential to meet requirements for
reimbursement by Cal EMA and FEMA.
 Open and maintain a POMONA CERT Team Activity log. This is a log to record
what you do during your shift at the EOC. Document such things as:
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Messages received.
Action taken.
Requests filled.
EOC assignments.
 Provide personnel and equipment time records to the EOC Volunteer Coordinator if
EOC is activated or Incident Commander at the end of each work shift.
 Document the general activities of the POMONA CERT team members.
Ongoing:
 Keep the EOC Volunteer Coordinator/Incident Commander informed with status
reports.
 Conduct team member meetings to review current status, needs and plans
 Request additional supplies, if needed, through the EOC Volunteer Coordinator
 Record when team members leave their shifts.
Shift Change:
 Brief incoming personnel and identify in-progress activities which need follow-up.
 Provide incoming personnel with the next EOC Action Plan.
 Submit completed logs, time cards, etc. to the EOC Director/Incident Commander
before you leave.
 Determine when you should return for your next work shift.
 Leave contact information where you can be reached.
Cal Poly Pomona
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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Revised: October, 2011
EOC Deactivation:
 Deactivate the team as directed by the EOC Volunteer Coordinator
 Be sure that all required forms or reports are completed prior to deactivation.
 Do NOT destroy any written documents or mail correspondence related to you
POMONA CERT team activities.
 Ensure return/retrieval of equipment and supplies and return all assigned EOC
equipment.
 Upon deactivation, brief the POMONA EOC Volunteer Coordinator on current
problems, follow up requirements and outstanding issues that need to be addressed
after EOC has been deactivated.
Cal Poly Pomona
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