NCJ Number
174555
Journal
Corrections Technology & Management Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: April 1998 Pages: 36-41
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents a checklist for determining whether or not a corrections emergency response team (CERT) is prepared to respond to any and all types of crises that may confront a corrections facility.
Abstract
An assessment of a CERT's preparedness includes identifying the team's limitations, assessing the level of administrative support for the team, assessing facility security and vulnerabilities, reviewing the team's training record, using mock situations in designated interior areas of the facility, scheduling training for evenings and early mornings as well as daytime, and conducting command post exercises that involve all corrections personnel in an emergency response. Other items on the checklist pertain to comprehensive training for a variety of situations, the tactical command post program, assigned specialists, and the number of major incidents to which the team can respond simultaneously. Advice to administrators is to regard the CERT as a tool to use on a daily or weekly basis to conduct regular random shakedowns on inmate housing units and trustee staff areas. The team should reinforce the work of the line and staff officers. Correctional administrators should be in regular touch with CERT commanders to ensure that each understands the role of the other in the CERT's functioning under a variety of potential emergency situations. Administrators are responsible for knowing and mandating that CERT's are prepared to do the tasks expected of them.