1. Read This First

1.1. What is this document?

This document describes the processes we use with the Los Altos Hills CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program. It gives a detailed view of how the operations section is structured, with a focus on priorities, documentation, and communicating status between groups.

It does not focus on individual positions; there is a separate guide that outlines each positions responsibilities.

We encourage everyone to become familiar with the whole process: it will make your individual steps make more sense, and in an emergency you never know who may need to step into a leadership role.

But first timers should focus on the individuals chapter of the LAH CERT Position guide. All our procedures are available online in the Procedures and Documentation page of the LAHCERT Web Site.

1.2. About the publishing system (for end users)

If you are looking at this on the official web site: you should note the v: latest box in the lower right:

If you click on that box you will get several options. The key ones are in the Downloads section: you can download a PDF copy (for printing) or an epub document (for viewing on a mobile device). We recommend you do this so you have access to this document even if the internet is not working for you.