Disaster Assistance Teams (DATs)

Cal Poly utilizes Disaster Assistance Teams (DAT) as part of the overall campus emergency management organization. DATs may be called upon during incidents or planned events to provide additional response capabilities such as the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Building Emergency Response Coordinators (BERCs). Activation of DATs will be at the discretion of the Director of Emergency Management or delegate.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a DEM resource for Cal Poly students, faculty, and staff to volunteer to provide basic support resources for DEM in times of need. They will be trained in basic search and rescue, damage assessment, and other critical functions in order to act as volunteer responders. CERT teams will be trained by DEM and activated by the DEM Duty Officer or the EOC.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a team of students used to provide help to emergency medical responders in the face of an emergency. MRC will fall under Campus Health and Wellbeing during steady-state operations and will be trained and maintained by them. If the EOC is activated, MRC falls under the Medical-Health Branch Director.

Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT)

The Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) is a team of students, staff, and faculty used to provide help managing medical care and evacuation of animals during emergencies. VERT will fall under Agriculture Operations during steady-state operations and will be trained and maintained by them. If the EOC is activated, VERT falls under the Animal Care Unit Leader or the Agricultural Operations Branch Director.

Building Emergency Response Coordinators (BERCs)

Building Emergency Response Coordinators (BERCs) are appointed to every building in order to be the dedicated emergency responders for that building. They are tasked mainly with evacuation and amateur building assessment, and can be activated through the Poly Alert system. DEM is responsible for maintenance and training of the program, and activation of BERCs falls under the DEM Duty Officer or the EOC. If the EOC is activated, the main point of contact with the BERCs will be the Damage Assessment Branch Leader.