CERT Traffic Team
Charlottesville-UVa-Albemarle County CERT established a traffic team early in 2006. The objective was to train and equip a specialized team which could immediately respond to assist local public safety personnel with one of the most common needs in emergencies and disasters. The team provided the first opportunity for local CERT Basic Training graduates to become part of a regularly active CERT component, one which had its own advanced training and full equipment issue. It provided CERT with opportunities to work with members of the public safety, medical, and social service/charitable communities before a disaster occurs. The Traffic Team also gave CERT the ability to expand its impact on the community beyond preparedness education and training, by establishing relationships and building credibility with the first responder/emergency services community, and by greater exposure to the public and the news media.
The CERT Traffic Team is trained and equipped to assist local public safety organizations with traffic control (both vehicular and pedestrian) in times of emergencies and disasters, and at major local events. Team members are trained to work as: (1) individuals, (2) as part of a standalone CERT Traffic Team, (3) jointly with first responders, and (4) as part of large event/incident organizations which operate under the Incident Command System (ICS). The Traffic Team has deployed to handle traffic for a regional Health Dept. Pandemic Flu drive-thru clinic exercise, assisted the Albemarle County Police multiple times with traffic at the annual Charlottesville Holiday Toy Lift, and assisted the Virginia State and County Police with traffic control at the Spring Foxfield Races as a part of the Foxfield Coalition. The Team also worked traffic and participated with other CERT members at CERT's fire suppression and search & rescue exercise in June 2007, at the local fire training "burn building".
The Traffic Team's advanced training program was developed with the assistance of the Albemarle County Police. It includes the basis techniques and tools of traffic control in daylight and darkness, on country roads and at the largest multi-lane intersections. Advanced training includes practical exercises in vehicle and pedestrian control; the use of road cones, barrels and flares; and small group radio communications. A number of team members have also attended a traffic control course for civilians at the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and are certified to work on the public highways in non-emergency and emergency situations.
All those who have completed, or are currently enrolled in CERT Basic Training are eligible to take Traffic Team basic and advanced training and join the Traffic Team. Members of the Traffic Team are issued the standard CERT equipment pack, plus specialized traffic control equipment, so they are prepared for direct call-out at any time.