Up | 2nd Annual Bike for a Cure (04/28/12) | 2012 Training Schedule | Basic Classroom-Based CERT Training | L362 Train-the-Trainer | Recommended Supplemental Training | The FEMA Building Block Approach to Training | Amateur Radio License Class | Tornado Exercise 11/12/11 | Exercise Only: "Tornado hits Faith Baptist Church" | Tyler County Multi-Agency Disaster Drill | MOVR-CERT Class of August 2011 | MOVR-CERT Class of May 2011 | MOVR-CERT Class of February 2011 | Fire Safety & Prevention Fair | Bike for a Cure | Bike for a Cure Photo Album

Anyone interested in becoming a member of our team only needs to register and take
the free training course. To register for a CERT course, contact Kristine Green.

Download and print an Application and Waiver to enroll in the training and become
a member of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Community Emergency Response Team.

If you are a member of MOVR-CERT and have not done so, please register with our
Yahoo Group to receive important event notification and participate in email discussions.

Great news! We now have a Chapter Coordinator for each of our six counties, and will soon have CERT Basic Training scheduled for Pleasants and Calhoun Counties. You may take the training at any location where it is offered. Once you have completed your training, unless you specifically request otherwise, you will automatically be affiliated with the Chapter in your home county, or with the Chapter of the county nearest you if you don’t live in one of these six counties. Of course, you may request to be affiliated with any Chapter you prefer, and you may be affiliated with more than one Chapter (though only one Chapter will be your “primary” Chapter). [For example, a number of our members are members of both the Wood County Chapter of MOVR CERT and Tyler County CERT.]

Current and Pending Training / Activities

2012 Training Schedule  • CERT Calendar
Required Training for Leadership Positions

Training videos • Recommended Supplemental Training

CERT Classroom-Based Basic Training - Pleasants County

The Basic Classroom-Based CERT Training series will be conducted on Thursdays, April 26th, May 3rd, 10th, and 17th at the Belmont Training Center behind the Pleasants County Middle School in Belmont, WV [map]. You must complete all four sessions before you can be certified. Successful graduates will be appointed to either the Pleasants County Chapter or to the Chapter in their city of residence if other than Pleasants County. The training is free, but class space is limited, so please email Kristine Green or call her at 304-420-1481, or email Pleasants County Chapter Coordinator Debra Carouthers at debbyc911@yahoo.com to reserve your spot in the class. Go here for more information. Please download, print, and take the completed Application and Waiver to the first class.

L362 Train-the-Trainer (TTT): Multihazard Emergency Planning for Schools

Date: May 8-10, 2012
Location: Lewisburg, WV
Course Description: This three-day course is designed to acquaint and prepare participants to deliver G364 Multihazard Emergency Planning for Schools field course. The major purpose for the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Program is to train and develop a cadre of instructors capable of teaching G364 classes within their State or local regions. [Class Description]

Suicide Intervention Training

May 31, 2012, 6:00 pm in the first floor conference room of the Health Department office at 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map].

This seminar is about suicide and attempted suicide. Using statistics about this tragic reality, Beth and Erin Stone will share a personal perspective on the crisis facing our nation, and particularly our youth. Topics include warning signs, related indicators, preventive measures, and hope for suicide attempt survivors and the families of those who attempt or commit suicide.

The training is free, but class space is limited, so please email Kristine Green or call her at 304-420-1481. [Flyer]

Amateur Radio Technician Class and Test

Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 9:00AM to approximately 4:00PM (when everyone finishes the exam), in the First Floor Conference Room at the MOV Health Department, 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map].

This workshop will prepare you to pass the Amateur Radio (Ham) Technician license examination that will be administered at the end of the workshop. The workshop is free, but there is an FCC license and administration fee of $20 to take the examination. Even though they knew absolutely nothing about radio communications, the last time we held this workshop 70% of the people who took this class passed their no-code Amateur Radio License examination on the same day!

For additional information contact Kenny Harris, WA8LLM, at 304-481-3810.

Utilizing Volunteers in Emergency Response:
Addressing Liability & Managing the Risk

Summit Conference Center, Charleston, June 15, 2012, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Directions

Who should attend? Emergency managers, city managers, mayors, county commissioners, city council members, city/emergency planners, VOAD organizations, military personnel, CERT teams, Citizen Corps Council Leaders, LEPC members law enforcement, health department staff, or anyone involved in volunteer emergency response and recovery operations.

 What: Session includes a presentation by Claire Lee Reiss on current liability and worker's compensation laws in the state of West Virginia as they pertain to emergency response and recovery volunteers and volunteer organizations. Claire is an attorney and Program Director with the National League of Cities Risk Information Sharing Consortium in Washington,  DC. A question & answer segment will follow.

Why: Fear of real or perceived liability can prevent counties from utilizing volunteer resources. These sessions will address concerns about liability risk in hopes of increasing West Virginia's ability to mobilize volunteers.

How: Please RSVP by June 8th to Krista Bradashaw at (304) 558-0111 or via e-mail at Krista.B.Bradshaw@wv.gov

Web-Based CERT Training Course

A web-based course IS-317: Introduction to CERT is now available. The purpose of this course is to help you prepare for the classroom-based CERT Basic Training course that is offered by MOVR CERT. This web-based training (WBT) includes many practices useful for dealing with emergencies that may occur in non-disaster situations. The classroom-based training (CBT) includes many additional skills and protocols you can learn through demonstration and hands-on practice in the classroom. Once you successfully complete the CBT, you will be an actual CERT member and will be trained to deal with emergencies that may occur in real disaster situations.

NIMS/ICS Online Training (Source: FEMA.gov)

• ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent4

NIMS/ICS courses are provided free online, and each only takes an hour or so to do. It is very strongly recommended that all CERT personnel complete, as a minimum, IS-700.A, ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-800.B. When you have finished the course you will be sent an email link to download your certificate of completion. DO NOT delete the email, but store it in your account for future use. Once you have downloaded your certificate, the only way to get another copy is to use the original email link. Please give copies of your certificates to Kristine Green to be included in your CERT personnel file.

New Courses Announcement from University of Kansas
Research and Training Center on Independent Living

The University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living (RTC/IL) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are pleased to announce the release of two new and free continuing education courses on the TRAIN Internet educational system (for Kansans https://ks.train.org, all others www.train.org).

One of the key concepts of FEMA’s “Whole Community” approach to emergency management is to understand and meet the true needs of the entire community.  Continuing education courses can assist and these two new courses are designed for trainers and non-trainers. For trainers, the core curriculum can be used and modified with local information to be taught to local targeted audiences.

The 75-minute course for trainers is: Planning for Disaster-Related Risk and Functional Needs of People with Disabilities: Train-The-Trainer (course #1026720), For persons not planning to ever teach, a one-hour course is available under the following title and course number: Planning for Disaster-Related Risk and Functional Needs of People with Disabilities (course #1026403).

These courses identify functional needs and seven risk factors associated with disasters and the health and safety of people with disabilities and how to prepare accordingly.

Other courses by RTC/IL staff on KS-TRAIN and TRAIN included a two-hour introductory course titled, Ready, Willing, & Able (course #1020884). It is on disability etiquette, terminology, communication methods and evacuation tips to assist people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities. A one-hour course titled, Animal Emergency Preparedness: How to Keep Your Service Animals and Pets Safe in Natural and Manmade Disasters (course #1025307) is on how to prepare for service animals and pets in the event of a disaster, and what to expect after a disaster.

If additional assistance is needed contact Cat Howland, MA, RTC/IL Project Manager:
catr@ku.edu (785)864-4095 http://disabilityprepared.ku.edu

Ongoing Amateur Radio and
Emergency Communications Training

Weekly Emergency Radio Net (Every Sunday Evening)

The Wood County Emergency Communications (WCEC) & Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) weekly phone (voice radio) net is conducted every Sunday night at 20:30 (8:30 PM for non-radio people) on a frequency of 147.255 MHz (transmit on 147.855 MHz with a PL tone of 131.8. Three remote receivers are tone-activated, one receiver requires no tone.) On the first Sunday of the month the net operates simplex on 147.255 MHz. The net is open to all licensed Amateurs, and runs for about 45 minutes. A schedule of other local nets is here. All MOVR CERT members who are licensed Radio Amateurs are strongly encouraged to participate in these nets.

Amateur Radio License Practice Tests

If you are interested in getting your Amateur Radio license (highly recommended for all CERT members), there are free practice tests online that will give you all the preparation you need to pass your no-code Technician license — just select the Technician test from that link. There are 35 questions on each test. The practice test will tell you the correct answers for the questions you miss, and you can take as many tests as you want, as often as you want. Each time you start a test it builds a whole new set of questions. Although there are books you can purchase (for a fairly hefty price) to study for your license, your webmaster found the online tests far better for his particular learning style; he just kept taking them over a period of about a week until he got three consecutive 100% scores, then went and passed his test on the first try. The license tests are administered at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, 211 6th Street, Parkersburg, on the second Saturday of each month. A schedule of tests is posted here. One-day classroom sessions are also provided frequently at which you can learn everything that you need to pass your Technician Class License at the end of the class.

Recent Training and Non-Training Events

ICS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System

ICS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), was held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 14, in the First Floor Conference Room at the MOV Health Department, 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map].

The Federal Response Plan requires that all emergency responders (federal, tribal, state, local, private, or volunteer) must use the ICS methodology in all of their responses and operations-based exercises. This includes all emergency services related disciplines such as emergency medical service, hospitals, public health, fire service, law enforcement, public works/utilities, skilled support personnel, and other emergency management response, support and volunteer personnel [which includes CERT].

Accordingly, only CERT members who have completed ICS-100 can be permitted to respond to any emergency event to which CERT may be deployed. It is therefore extremely important that all members of MOVR CERT complete their required ICS-100 training either in the classroom or by Internet as soon as possible, and provide copies of the certificate of completion to the Regional Office.

This class introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for all higher-level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Modular Emergency Response Transportation Training (MERRTT)

This seminar was conducted on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 10 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Judge Black Annex, 319 Market Street, Parkersburg  [map].

Course Description: This 16-hour training program is designed to take the complex topic of a radiological accident response and break it down into 16 easily understood modules and hands-on practical exercises. Students will be presented with the training to simplify the topic while developing a comprehensive understanding of radioactive material, radiological survey instruments, and decontamination techniques for handling radiologically contaminated victims and resources available to responders during a response.  An important element of the training is detailed information on the types of packages used to transport radioactive material.  The course includes use of "live" radiation sources in the practical exercises to reinforce learning. Upon successful completion of the MERRTT course students will receive a certificate from the Department of Energy's Transportation Emergency Preparedness Program, including up to 10.5 hours of continuing education hours (CEH) for medical response personnel. MERRTT meets the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act training requirements and is listed on the Department of Homeland Security Federal Approved Courses Listing.  By attending the Train-the-Trainer module, one additional hour of instruction delivered at the end of the 16 hours of training, students can be qualified as MERRTT trainers.

Prerequisites: None. This training will develop necessary responder skills for all levels and types of responders.

Target Audience: All types and levels of emergency responders assigned the responsibility to enter the hot zone, perform emergency rescue, identify package types, and isolate the hot zone until advanced level support arrives. 

CERT Classroom-Based Basic Training - Roane County

The Roane County Chapter graduated from CERT Basic Training on Thursday, April 5. Training was conducted at the Reedy Volunteer Fire Department, 54 Main Street, Reedy WV [map]. Reedy Fire Chief Robert Bauer is the Reedy Chapter Coordinator.

Bioterrorism Mass Prophylaxis Preparedness and Planning

Conducted on Wednesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 29, this course is a guide for local health officials and their partners in the local public health system to coordinate plans to provide mass distribution of medical countermeasures for the jurisdiction as they relate to the Division of Strategic National Stockpile (DSNS) Program. The purpose of this course is to enhance a jurisdiction's preparedness and emergency response efforts by developing (or revision) a plan addressing an all-hazards approach towards Mass Prophylaxis. The course was delivered by two public health professionals and consisted of a combination of lectures, small group activities, and a tabletop exercise/game.

CERT Classroom-Based Basic Training - Wood County

The Basic Classroom-Based CERT Training series graduated 10 new CERT members on March 20. The training was conducted on Tuesday, February 28, Tuesday, March 6, Wednesday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 20 at Williamstown United Methodist Church, 304 West 5th Street, Williamstown WV [Map].

First Responder First Aid

The class was held on Monday, March 19, 2012, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, in the First Floor Conference Room at the MOV Health Department, 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map]. Randy Flinn, a local paramedic trainer, taught this class. Food and drinks were provided.

Free SkyWarn® Class [Download the Flyer]

Sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and conducted by the National Weather Service (NWS), the class was held on Tuesday, March 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Fort Boreman Room at the Wood County Court House Judge Black Annex, 317 Market Street, Parkersburg [map].

NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service and access to communication, such HAM radio, to join the SKYWARN® program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches, nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter. Training covers:

• Basics of thunderstorm development

• Fundamentals of storm structure

• Identifying potential severe weather features

• Information to report

• How to report information

• Basic severe weather safety

CPR/AED Class (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and Automatic External Defibrillator)

CPR/AED training was offered in the First Floor Conference room at Wood County Health Department, 211 6th Street, Parkersburg (map) from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, February 16.

People with Disabilities and Other Special Populations

This seminar was held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Judge Black Annex, 319 Market Street, Parkersburg  [map].

The phrase “special needs population” is widely used within disaster services and the emergency management field, but the definition of what it means, however, is sometimes ambiguous. According to federal guidelines, “special needs populations” generally include multiple, extremely broad groups of people who tend to be especially vulnerable in emergency situations, when barriers they experience in everyday life can have an even greater impact on their ability to participate and respond. Although people with disabilities make up the largest category, the phrase also includes people with mental illness, non-English speaking residents, families with infants, people who are elderly, pet owners, prisoners, people who are homeless, women who are pregnant, people with addictions, etc.

SAR: Terrain Navigator Pro

On Saturday, February 11th we held introductory training on the Terrain Navigator Pro mapping software. The training started at 10am at the Office of Emergency Management in the Senior Center at Park Ave and Cherry Street in Middlebourne [map], and lasted a little over three hours. This is the mapping software we use for search and rescue as well as nearly any other event that we have to deal with. 

CPR/AED Workshop

Ritchie County Chapter held a CPR/AED training workshop Sunday, February 5, at 1:00 pm at the Ellenboro Fire Station, 103 Washington St, Ellenboro WV 26346 [map]. Chapter Coordinator (and EVFD Chief) Bill Bayless assured anyone attending that they will be done before the Super Bowl starts.

Basic Disaster Birth Support (BBDS) Workshop (Free)

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department offered this workshop from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012 in the first floor conference room of the Health Department office at 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map]. Presenters ware Ruth Walsh, CPM, and Martha White, DEM.

Developed by the Midwives Alliance of West Virginia and the West Virginia Friends of Midwives, the workshop is designed to prepare CERT members, first responders, and the community at large to assist women in labor and delivery during disaster when transport to a hospital is not an option.

Midwives are the experts in managing childbirth without technological support. Learn what to do and what not to do to support a woman when the situation prevents her from going to the hospital. The event includes a video of births, and community members are encouraged to use discretion in attending.

Amateur Radio License Class and Examination

Wood County Emergency Communications conducted a one-day Amateur Radio Technician Class license class and examination session starting at 9:00 a.m. on December 3, 2011, at the Mid Ohio Health Department, 211 Sixth Street, Parkersburg [map]. The class and exam session lasted for approximately 5 hours. Even though they knew absolutely nothing about radio communications, 70% of the people who took this class passed their no-code Amateur Radio License examination on the same day! The others will study a bit and pass the exam the next time. [Details]

EXERCISE ONLY: “Tornado Hits Faith Baptist Church”

 MOVR CERT will be conducting a training exercise on November 12. Go here for details.

Weather Spotter Class

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department Threat Preparedness Unit is sponsoring a free National Weather Service Weather Spotter class from 6:00 to approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, in the MOVHD first floor conference room, 211 6th Street, Parkersburg (map). Light snacks, water and pop will be provided. Please see the flyer for details.

Project Lifesaver Training

Wirt County will be holding Project Lifesaver training at the Elizabeth/Wirt Volunteer Fire Department  (map)  in Elizabeth, WV, Saturday & Sunday November 5th & 6th, 2011. Total class size is limited to 20, and registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you would like to attend, please RSVP at your earliest convenience to Bo Wriston. Read the complete press release here. Go here for more information on Project Lifesaver.

CPR/AED Classes (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and Automatic External Defibrillator)

CPR/AED training was offered at the Wirt County CERT Chapter meeting, 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1 at the Elizabeth/Wirt VFD (map).

A CPR/AED class was offered at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, 211 6th Street, Parkersburg at 6pm on November 7 (map).

Community Preparedness “Expo”

MOVR CERT participated in the Community Preparedness “Expo” at 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 29 at the Parkersburg City Building. The event provided basic home, family, and small business preparedness information to the community at large and making them aware of the many volunteer preparedness groups in the area that are available for them to become involved with.

Radio Communications Training [Tyler County CERT & SAR]

Source: tylerwv.net/blog | Posted on September 2, 2011 by Tom Cooper

Tyler Office of Emergency Management hosted a Radio Communications class Sunday, September 18th at the OEM office, 504 Cherry Street, Middlebourne (map).

We did two tasks in this one session. “Team Radio Operations” covered how to use the new Wouxun radios. “Basic Radio Communications” explained the proper way to communicate over a radio.

Basic GPS Training

Tyler County OEM conducted two basic GPS training classes, one in Tyler County and one in Wood County. The first training was held at the Tyler County OEM office, 504 Cherry Street, Middlebourne (map) on September 15 at 6pm. The second training was held in Wood County on September 19 at 6pm at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, 211 6th Street, Parkersburg (map).

Belleville Homecoming Parade (Saturday, September 17, 2011)

Members of MOVR CERT participated in the Belleville Homecoming Parade. This parade celebrates when the town was settled.

Elizabeth’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony (Sunday, September 11, 2011)

Representatives from the Wood and Wirt County Chapters of MOVR CERT participated in the memorial ceremony that was conducted on the courthouse lawn. We also had a booth there where we handed out literature.

Wirt County CERT Meeting (Tuesday, September 6, 2011)

Wirt County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), held a scheduled meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6th at 7PM at the Elizabeth/Wirt VFD. Activities included fire extinguisher safety training, and viewing of a disaster preparedness video.

CPR/AED Training (Tuesday, August 30, 2011)

Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department held a CPR/AED (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator) class on Tuesday,  August 30, 2011 at the Wood County Health Department.

Basic CERT Course - Ritchie County (August 4, 11, 18, 25)

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department in Ritchie County provided a free Basic CERT course. Food and drinks were provided, and students were required to attend all four classes in order to receive their certificate completion and their own CERT backpack. Classes were each Thursday in August from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Ellenboro Fire Station, 103 Washington St. Click here for photos of the new Ritchie County Community Emergency Response Team.

WV REDI Drill Scheduled for July 19 & 20

The West Virginia Responder Emergency Deployment Information website is the official West Virginia online registration and credentialing site. The WV Responder Emergency Deployment Information (REDI) system is a web-based system developed to facilitate health and medical response through identification, credentialing, and deployment of West Virginians willing to serve in an emergency, as well as non-emergent situations.

Registration is open to West Virginia's health and medical professionals, as well as others who live or work in West Virginia and are willing to assist during a-health related emergency or event. Members of all MOVR-affiliated CERT teams should be registered with WV REDI, as the REDI system is the primary method of deploying volunteer responders throughout the state.

On July 19th-20th there is going to be a WV REDI drill.  There will be a scenario that will come through the state and be passed down to the local levels. If you have not already registered on WV REDI, please do so and indicate Wood or Wirt as your home county, with Kristine Green as your coordinator (if the site provides an opportunity to do so). That way MOVR CERT can be registered as a completed group to make it easier for this drill and for future deployments.  This will just be a test, and we will not really be deploying anyone on those dates. This is only to test the system and see how it works.

Psychological First Aid (Thursday 23 June 2011)

Thursday June 23, 2011 — 5:00 to 9:00 PM Psychological First Aid is what non-professional folks can do to help someone who has experienced a traumatic event in their life that has altered their behavior in a negative way and is beyond that person’s ability to cope with the resulting feelings and emotions. This training will give the participants the skills to help those in need in a non-confrontational and non-clinical environment. The goal of such training and the resultant skills is to help prevent someone who has been traumatized from getting worse and developing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a problem that can last much longer and is much harder to successfully address.

CPR/AED (Tuesday 21 June 2011)

A Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation class was held from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, 211 6th St., Parkersburg, WV 26101.

Fire Safety and Prevention Fair (Saturday 21 May 2011)

MOVR CERT participated in the Fire Safety and Prevention Fair at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, along with the Large Animal Rescue Team and the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department Threat Preparedness Unit's Mobile Emergency Communications Suite (MECS1), which was staffed by Wood County Emergency Communications personnel, many of whom are also members of our local CERT team. See the pictures.

Basic CERT Course (May 10, 12, 17, 19)

The most recent Basic CERT course in Wood County was held on May 10, 12, 17, and 19. See the pictures.

Bike for a Cure (Saturday 30 April 2011)

MOVR CERT participated in the Bike for a Cure / Relay for Life fundraiser on April 30, 2011. Members assisted Wood County Emergency Communications with safety/security monitoring and communications for the event, as well as running the Incident Command and Registration Station and staffing water/safety stations along the 28-mile course. Click here for more information.

Other local training opportunities will be posted as they become available.
 

Recommended Supplemental Training
 

This page was last updated at 10:43 on Friday, 04 May 2012 10:43:24