NCJ Number
85202
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 51 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1982) Pages: 12-17
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Indiana Council of Emergency Response Teams (INCERT) is a civilian organization whose members interface with State and local government entities to meet various State, community, and citizen emergencies.
Abstract
The creation of INCERT as a statewide organization was spurred when the 1978 blizzard in Indiana exposed the inability of police resources to meet the multiple needs created by the emergency as well as the willingness of various citizen organizations to contribute their services in meeting emergency needs. INCERT organizes and coordinates the activities of such citizen groups as CB clubs, amateur radio clubs, four-wheel drive vehicle clubs, snowmobile clubs, flying organizations, and volunteer fire departments. Essentially, INCERT is a citizen/police connection that can be activated locally or throughout the State when and where the services offered by the various citizen volunteer organizations are needed. Initially, State police personnel provided the administrative leadership for the operational activities conducted at the local level. Subsequently, the program was incorporated under State law as a nonprofit corporation with a board of directors, which includes representatives from the various participating statewide citizen groups. Administratively, State police operations are divided into five geographic areas. In each of these areas, a trooper has been designated as the INCERT coordinator, who is responsible for organizing and coordinating INCERT activities in his/her area. INCERT volunteers have been activated numerous times to assist in severe weather emergencies and have participated in activities that promote traffic safety and crime prevention.