IS-315.A: CERT and the Incident Command System introduces you in your role as a CERT member to the Incident Command System (ICS), a proven management system used by emergency managers to help maintain the safety of disaster workers, provide clear leadership and organizational structure, and improve the effectiveness of rescue efforts. This program educates you about the CERT’s potential roles in a disaster or emergency situation.

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

List the principles of ICS.
Identify components of ICS.
Identify CERT general operations within the ICS level.
Determine how to integrate CERT programs into the response framework for an area.
Identify volunteer motivations.
List (at least) three (3) ways to utilize volunteers effectively.
Describe special considerations for managing/directing volunteers.
Define VOADs and their application.
Identify means of interacting with VOADs.
Identify means to effectively integrate spontaneous volunteers.
Describe effective communication skills and techniques for CERT/ICS communications.
Identify how to best communicate with public, media, and responders/emergency management.

The course is designed as an online curriculum with an assessment at the conclusion. As discussed in class, if you do not wish to complete the certification a non-FEMA assessment is available, but it must be taken at school.

Given what we have covered already, you may be able to simply scan through this and take the assessment. That is your choice and may be a legitimate option if you have bene paying attention and will test through FEMA.

The online curriculum is located here: https://emilms.fema.gov/is_0315a/curriculum/1.html

If you prefer to study the materials in a different format instead of the online system, use this link:

Other printable form: https://emilms.fema.gov/is_0315a/groups/131.html

A Spanish version of this material, including a link to the test, is available here: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-315.a&lang=es

Contact Mr. Walker if you need to have the PDF version provided in print format.