Basic NET Training Standard Syllabus: Difference between revisions

There is a lot of information here; though PBEM recommends reading all of it, a Trainee reading only the sections marked <span style="background:firebrick; color:firebrick">.</span><span style="background:firebrick; color:white">'''Essential'''</span><span style="background:firebrick; color:firebrick">.</span> will do fine. Particular attention should be paid to any sentence in <span style="background:#FFFF00; color:#FFFF00">.</span><span style="background:#FFFF00">'''yellow highlight.'''</span><span style="background:#FFFF00; color:#FFFF00">.</span>  

<p><span style="color:#ffffff">...<ins>For simple disaster preparedness education, we offer <nowiki>[https://pbem.link/eprep 75-minute presentations to community groups]</nowiki></ins>.</span></p>

[[File:2016.11.19.NET Rainbow.jpg|alt=NETs during a final field exercise on November 19, 2016. Yeah the rainbow is real, I didn't Photoshop it in.|thumb|''NETs during a final field exercise on November 19, 2016. Yeah the double rainbow is real, I didn't Photoshop it in.'' Photographer unknown.]]

In Basic NET training, you will learn how to provide emergency disaster assistance in your community when first responders (such as Police or Fire) are not immediately available. Basic NET training will also prepare the way for you to take some of the advanced training offered by PBEM if you wish to build on your preparedness and response skills.

Basic NET is not a class for persons interested only in disaster preparedness. By taking Basic NET training, we expect that you will serve on your neighborhood team for twelve hours each calendar year. For simple disaster preparedness education, we offer [https://pbem.link/eprep 75-minute presentations to community groups].

<span style="background:#FFFF00">'''The Coordinating Instructor for your Basic NET class will send you location and schedule details specific for your class approximately one week in advance; they do not appear here.'''</span>

*'''Frequency:''' PBEM will offer a Basic NET class as staff resources and budget allow. PBEM typically conducts at least three cohorts each year.

*'''Duration:''' Basic NET is about 26 hours total. Two hours online, plus 24 hours in person including the Final Field Exercise (FFE).

*'''Location:''' PBEM can present the lecture portions of Basic NET at any venue that will safely and comfortably seat the entire class and has (or can accommodate) a screen and projector. Field exercises almost always take place at Portland Fire & Rescue's training campus.

*'''Schedule:''' Schedule depends on number of Trainees and the best schedule for the greatest number of them. The most common schedule is to break up the training over four long weekend days. PBEM can also do training three hours one day a week for about ten weeks, though this format is much less popular and successful.

*'''Class size:''' Training cohort size typically runs between 80 and 100 Trainees, though PBEM might train more than one cohort at the same time in different classroom areas.

*'''Childcare:''' PBEM acknowledges that childcare is required for many parents to participate in Basic NET. Reimbursement for childcare is available through our partner Politisit. Please see the [[Childcare]] page.

*'''Language:''' PBEM provides Basic NET training in languages other than English in partnership with community groups, or can provide an interpreter in an English class with advance notice.

*'''Food:''' PBEM generally does not provide meals during training, so please plan ahead. Usually we take two 30-minute breaks on the classroom days.

PBEM can only certify you as a NET if you complete all Basic Training units. If you miss a day of class, your Coordinating Instructor will inform you of makeup opportunities. Trainees sometimes ask: Should I ''not'' sign up for Basic NET if you know you will have a prior commitment for one of the class periods? Generally, '''''no''''', you should sign up for the class series and take a makeup class later.

 

 

* All that aside, '''every one of us is required to put our own safety first'''. If you feel that travelling to any class will be dangerous, please do not come. It's simple: Just like if you wake up feeling ill. No one will ever be penalized for choosing safety. If you must make up missed Segments with a future cohort, so be it.

* <span style="background:#FFFF00">Always sign in on the attendance sheet in every session. '''If you do not sign in, you were not there.'''</span>

* Trainees are encouraged to bring lunch or snacks (preferably quiet ones) and drinks to stay hydrated, energetic, and engaged through the training.

* Trainees will be released for breaks on training days longer than four hours.

* Questions during class are both expected and welcome. However, since instructors are very accommodating, it can happen that too many questions hijack the main class lecture and classes run late. Therefore, out of courtesy for your training cohort and the instructors, be judicious in what questions you ask and send an email to [mailto:Net@portlandoregon.gov net@portlandoregon.gov] if you have many questions.

* Though in Trainee status, a Trainee is subject to the [[PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct]]. Inappropriately disrespectful or disruptive Trainees will receive instruction to [https://prowritingaid.com/go-pound-sand#:~:text=in%20My%20Writing%3F-,What%20Does%20Pound%20Sand%20or%20Go%20Pound%20Sand%20Mean%3F,do%20something%20stupid%20and%20pointless. pound sand], be [https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/yeet-meaning-and-history yeeted] from the classroom, and seldom thought of again.

* No advertisements, political flyers, fundraising solicitations, or other items may be distributed at any NET event, or left behind at a NET event location. Doing so is a violation of the [[PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct]] and may lead to suspension or separation from the program.

The [https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2019.CERT_.Basic_.PM_FINAL_508c.pdf CERT Basic Training Participant Manual] is the textbook for Basic NET training. Trainees may receive a free loose-leaf hard copy of the textbook on the first day of class, but PBEM recommends using an electronic copy where possible. Either way, '''a Trainee should ''never'' pay for the textbook;''' there are scammers out there who will try to charge for a copy.

The [https://bit.ly/net-guidelines-pdf NET Guidelines] serve as the NET program "blueprint" and will help Trainees understand how PBEM runs the NET program, expectations volunteers should have of the City of Portland, and expectations PBEM has of volunteers. With the exception of sections concerning NET Operations, the NET Guidelines are not required reading for Basic NET Trainees. The Guidelines are currently being updated, and migrated to the [https://volunteerpdx.net/ NET wiki].

Unit 8 (CERT and Terrorism) is not delivered in the classroom. Instead, Trainees will complete that unit by reading, watching a video, and passing a quiz on the material in [https://bttr.im/qae2p MyImpactPage], just like the Online Preparedness Quiz you passed in order to register for Basic Training. You must pass the Unit 8 quiz before your FFE date.

To find your Team Leader's email address, please use the [https://pbem.link/net-team-map interactive Team Map]. Also review your team's Operations Plan linked on that page, if one exists. You may begin attending Team Meetings as soon as you register for training; you are not required to wait until you finish.

==== Log your hours, including independent study, in-person training, and travel time to classes ====

To learn how to do this, please visit the page on the [[Portal FAQ|Volunteer Portal FAQ]].

Just before the FFE, you will be asked to complete a criminal background check so we can confirm your eligibility to activate you as a NET volunteer. You will receive an email with instructions to complete this step as the date of the FFE gets closer. If you plan to become a Active NET volunteer, complete the background check instructions as given. More details are on our page about [[Criminal Background|information about our background check process and policies]].

<span style="background:#FFFF00">'''In order to graduate from Basic NET, Trainees are required to present their own Basic Response Packs at the FFE.'''</span> A stocked response kit mitigates hazards encountered by a NET volunteer during a deployment. When called on to deploy to an emergency, you would take your NET kit with you to ensure you can respond effectively.  

Volunteers who can, should purchase their own packs. <span style="background:#FFFF00">'''However, PBEM will provide a pack or pieces to complete a pack for any Trainee unable to easily afford equipment.'''</span> Trainees can request this by simply [mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?NET&#x20;pack&#x20;request emailing] the Coordinating Instructor after beginning their in-person classes.

A Basic Response Pack minimally acceptable for the FFE includes the items listed in the table below. Rows in <span style="background:#D35D30; color:#D35D30">.</span><span style="background:#D35D30; color:white">'''orange highlight'''</span><span style="background:#D35D30; color:#D35D30">.</span> are provided by PBEM and you should '''not''' purchase them.

 

Equipment illustrations by [https://www.instagram.com/hughnewell/?hl=en Hugh Newell].

|+<div style="text-align: left; color: blue">[[File:Expanding Table.png|left|250x250px|link=]]<div style="text-align: left; color: black">

|A headlamp is strongly recommended, to keep your hands free.

|Not required at the FFE.

|Your radio is not required for the FFE, so we suggest waiting to purchase it until after we discuss devices in Basic NET Unit 9 - Tactical Radio Communications.

Trainees can purchase a whole kit from vendors. As of March 2025 we do not have vendor who provides NET-branded equipment; the previous supplier was bought by a new company. Note that CERT-branded kits are green instead of orange/red NET branding; that does not affect functionality but don't pay extra for CERT branding.

 

If you wish to buy a whole kit instead of pieces, the vendors on the list below can accommodate you. Any of the kits on the the list is enough (or more than enough) for your FFE. If ordering for delivery, be sure to act early so that your equipment arrives on time for your FFE! And please do not feel limited to this list.

|style="background: snow; color: black"|'''''DISCLAIMER:''''' ''Any reference obtained from this website to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply endorsement by PBEM or the City of Portland of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. Nor is PBEM or the City of Portland responsible for the fitness or quality of any product purchased from any vendor referenced on this website. Buyer beware. PBEM does recommends inspecting the quality of all disaster response supplies and even stress testing them in a controlled environment before using them for deployment, when safety matters.''

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%; "

|Online ordering only.

<p><small>''Trainees can also find kit items at hardware and outdoor stores. For Trainees who prefer locally owned stores, there are many options!''</small> </p><p><span style="color:#ffffff">...</span></p>

|+[[File:Expanding Table.png|left|250x250px|link=]]

|Provided by PBEM while supplies last

|Provided by PBEM while supplies last

|[[NET Incident Command System (ICS) Forms]]

You must have your photo taken for your official NET ID card. This is done by the Class Coordinator between classroom sessions.

 

https://volunteerpdx.net/index.php/ID_Photos

|

|During an FFE, we assemble here in the morning, and return after completing the four field stations to debrief.

|During an FFE, this is the area reserved for the search station.

The FFE lasts approximately four hours in the field, plus post-exercise debrief. The Trainee cohort is split into four groups and those groups cycle through each of the four FFE stations.

==== Cribbing and Extrication Station ====

In the Blue Shed, Area C, survivor actors in [[moulage]] need to be triaged and removed from the building.

Instructor will cover building markings, scene sizeup, and interior search patterns to locate survivors either in Building 5 or Tower D. Trainees will want their flashlights ready.

''A: Yes. Except for persons who are an active menace, anyone can participate in NET training. The criminal background check is conducted to determine if you can become an Active NET volunteer after you complete the training. Having an offense on record also does not necessarily exclude a person from becoming an Active NET volunteer; it depends on the offense and how long ago it took place. Please review PBEM's [[Criminal Background|policy on criminal background checks]] for more detail.''

''A: Your Coordinating Instructor will send that information to you via email. That information does not appear on this page. If you think you should have received it by now, email [mailto:Net@portlandoregon.gov net@portlandoregon.gov].''

''A: No. Even if you are highly trained in a field, medical treatment for example, it is still important for you to learn about how NET volunteers approach the topic. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a response situation and not understand why your teammates approach problems the way they do. This causes confusion in the team and a rapid breakdown of team aptitude.''

''A: Yes, please do! You have an active profile [https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Login?returnUrl=/Volunteer/Main/GenericLogOut&agencyGuid=5c003f3a-8d04-4cdf-b8c0-41627fea7871 in MIP]. For information on how to log hours, please visit the page for the [[Minimum Service Contribution (MSC)|NET Minimum Service Contribution]].''

''A: No. Take the classes you can and make up the ones you missed when you have a makeup opportunity. Note that you will not graduate and be activated as a NET, however, until you have completed all class units and a Final Field Exercise.''