Last month 30 CERTs expanded their radio skills simply by “keying up” a radio and “checking in” with the Net Control. General information about CERT events and questions about the radios have also been addressed. We are working towards building a strong and reliable system to put in use if disaster strikes. Thank you for helping us with this goal.
This Net will take place on Monday May 13th 8pm (2200 hours) and should last 20 minutes.
We will use the CERT Tactical Command channel #3 on the radios tomorrow night.
All present CERT members are welcome to listen in. All CERT members are encouraged to participate. Your neighborhood Captains have been issued new radios. Tomorrow will give them the assurance that these radios are working properly.
For those willing to participate who don’t own a radio please contact your neighborhood captain to borrow one from your container before tomorrow tonight. This is a good chance to meet your Captain or even go to your neighborhood container.
This is probably the only meeting you can attend from the comfort of your own home. No late night out away from the family, no fighting traffic parking or missing How I met your Mother on CBS. One couple cheched in from the outdoor seating of their favorite restaurant. It does not get better than that.
The Net will start with a short script advising members on how to “check in” on the Net at the proper time. When ready simply key your radio, pause, then state your first name, assigned neighborhood (cona…) followed by your general location such as “Pacific St”. It’s that easy.
Captains or alternates may wish to check in from their assigned container. This would be preferred so your team members can be assured that they will be able to reach the container site in a disaster.
Thank You for your time on this and I hope to see all of you “on the radio”.
All CERT Team Members: (This message is being sent to everyone who has registered for a CERT class since January 2010)
We have all been shocked by the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon. This despicable act of terrorism sadly reminds us that we must all be vigilant in doing our part to spot possible attacks. Please review Unit 8 in the CERT Student Manual, available online at:
https://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=6137
Scroll down to the Section that says: “Resource Record Details” Below this you will find “Community Emergency Response Team Basic Training Participant Manual”. Click on “View/Download/Print”. Open Unit 8 to access the section on Terrorism.
Remember! We must all be viligant. Whenever you are in public, watch for the following:
While bombs and explosions have obvious immediate effects, biological or chemical attacks may not be as immediately noticeable. Indicators that a biological or chemical attack has occurred or is underway could include:
§ Vapor clouds or mists that are unusual for the area or for the time of day. Although many biological and chemical agents cannot be seen with the naked eye, the substances in which they are suspended when dispersed may be visible for a period of time after an attack.
§ Unscheduled spraying or abandoned spray devices. Several September 11, 2001, terrorists are known to have made inquiries into purchasing and learning to fly crop duster airplanes. Many other types of agricultural sprayers can be used to disperse biological and (more likely) chemical agents.
§ Materials or equipment that are unusual for the area. Dispersal devices, lab equipment, or quantities of hazardous materials that are not typically located in the area may indicate that a terrorist attack is occurring or is about to occur.
§ Unusual odors or tastes
§ Out of place and unattended packages, boxes, or vehicles. Items that are out of place and unattended could signal a possible terrorist attack. This could include chemical or biological agents as well as explosives.
§ Packages that are leaking may be harmless, but they may also signal a terrorist incident. The terrorists who released sarin in the Tokyo subway system (Aum Shinrikyo) merely poked holes in bags containing sarin, then left the area as the poison leaked out.
If you observe any of these indicators of a terrorist incident, you should:
§ Not touch it!
§ Move away from the object or area
§ Report it to authorities immediately
Remember: Cellular phones and two-way radios create static electricity and may detonate explosive devices. CERT members should always report suspected explosive devices via landline.
Demetrius A. Kastros
City of Monterey CERT Instructor
(831) 224-0167
CERT “On the Air” Radio Net – Tonight, Monday, April 8 at 8 pm
With good communications we will succeed in our mission to do the most good for the most people.
Tonight, Monday the 8th of April will be our third of the CERT “On the Air” radio Net. So far we have been able to successfully check the effectiveness of the Monterey CERT communication system. We could never be really sure of the capacity and working order of our new radios without your help in turning on your radios and trying them out in this Peninsula wide exercise.
CERT members have successfully expanded their radio skills simply by “keying up” a radio and “checking in” with the Net Control. We are working towards building a strong and reliable system to put in use if disaster strikes. Thank you for helping us with this goal.
This Net will take place tonight, Monday April at 8pm (2000 hours) and should last 20 minutes.
We will use the CERT Tactical channel #1 on the radios tomorrow night. Next month we will communicate on a different CERT channel.
Feel free to attend this meeting from the comfort of your own home. No late night out, difficultly parking or missing the last season of Leno.
The Net will start with an instructional script advising members on how to “check in” on the Net at the proper time. When ready simply key your radio, pause, then state your first name, assigned neighborhood followed by your general location such as “Larkin St”.
Captains or alternates may wish to check in from their assigned container. This would be preferred so your team members can be assured that they will be able to reach the container site in a disaster.
Thank You for your time on this and I hope to see all of you “on the radio”.
Tim McFaddan
Monterey CERT Radio Committee Member
K6OFM
Our next CERT class starts Thursday, April 4, 2013.
Our next CERT class starts this Thursday April 4th. This is an evening series that occurs over 7 consecutive Thursday nights, running through May 16th.
Please visit our CERT TRAINING REQUEST FORM here.
CERT training is offered free of charge and family participation is encouraged. Interested persons may register by visiting the CERT TRAINING REQUEST FORM here, or can also send an e-mail to: montereycert@hotmail.com
Persons without e-mail may leave a phone message at: 831 646-3416
We need the following information to complete your enrollment and we will reply with a confimation that has details of the class such as location, items to bring, etc.
- Full name
- Physical and mailing address
- Home and cell phone numbers
- E-mail address you use most often
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. While post class involvement is encouraged, such as participation in quarterly training exercises amd joining a neighborhood CERT Team, there is no requirement that you remain with the program after completing the initial training.
Thank-you,
Demetrius A. KastrosCity of Monterey CERT Instructor
(831) 224-0167
