1. What is TERT?
TERT is an emergency response resource for 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points
( PSAPs) in Missouri. We are the only resource that can locate Telecommunicators, essential emergency
service personnel for a PSAP, that are capable of working with your equipment and protocols when you need
them most- DURING A DISASTER!
2. What assistance can TERT provide to my PSAP?
During a disaster, call volume and an inability of PSAP personnel to report to work due to the disaster can
overwhelm a PSAP. TERT will locate Telecommunicators that are trained on your equipment and protocols
and deploy them to your site to augment your staff until the situation stabilizes.
3. When can TERT be implemented?
a. A manmade or natural disaster occurs;
b. Local officials make a “declaration of disaster”;
c. A request is made to the State Emergency Management (SEMA) for
Telecommunicators;
d. MO SEMA notifies the MoTERT Coordinator;
e. MoTERT Coordinator then calls the effected agency to get updated operational information;
f. TERT database will be checked to find agencies with matching equipment;
g. Assisting PSAPs are then contacted by the MoTERT Coordinator alerting them to the formal
request for response that has been made by the PSAP needing assistance;
h. Missouri SEMA is then notified of which agencies are responding and approximate ETA of
Telecommunicators to the requesting PSAP.
4. If the MoTERT Coordinator contacts my PSAP for assistance, will it affect my agency if we
have to decline the request?
No. PSAPs may decline to assist if such a response would deplete staffing within their center (due to
staffing shortages, etc) or otherwise negatively impact the PSAPs ability to perform their normal functions.
MoTERT understands that the operations of your PSAP must come first before you can assist others.
5. If I did not state on the survey that I would provide assistance, will I still get assistance if
needed in a disaster?
Yes. Any Missouri PSAP that requests assistance will be responded to regardless of your answer on the
survey.
6. Does TERT manage my personnel while deployed?
No. TERT does not manage personnel. TERT manages the database of PSAP operational capabilites to
assist SEMA in locating other Missouri PSAPs that would be best suited to assist a PSAP during a disaster.
Once your personnel have arrived at the effected PSAP, they will be under the operational command of that
PSAP until such time that the situation stabilizes and we are notified to “stand down”. However, TERT will
notify you if there is a problem with one of your employees and if a replacement is needed. You will be given
contact information to follow up on the problem with the effected agency at a later time.
7. Does TERT pay my personnel while deployed?
No. TERT does not employ any personnel. As a responder to a request from SEMA, the responding
personnel are acting in a mutual aid capacity similar to how fire and police personnel respond to other
jurisdictons during a major incident. Telecommunicators are essential emergency service personnel as well
and can act in a mutual aid capacity if requested to do so during a disaster.
8. How do I get reimbursed for expenses incurred? (ie personnel salaries, when my
personnel are deployed to another PSAP)
As a state requested mutual aid responder during a disaster, your agency would be entitled to disaster fund
reimbursement. You would need to file for reimbursement via the appropriate agency that is handling
reimbursement, usually FEMA, through SEMA. However, you should be aware that if you respond to an
adjacent community (ie neighboring county in which you share a common border) and there is not a history of
reimbursement for mutual aid response, you may not be reimbursed. This is due to new FEMA guidelines
governing reimbursements.
9. What amount of time will my personnel be expected to be at another PSAP?
This answer varies depending on the disaster. However, the minimum time you should expect is 12-24
hours. The MoTERT Coordinator that contacted you for assistance will be responsible for checking with the
effected PSAP to determine how long personnel will be needed and to locate additional personnel if needed.
10. I completed an assessment. Will my information be shared with anyone?
No. Your data will only be shared with TERT Committee members and will only be used to assess if your
PSAP meets the needs of another PSAP during a disaster. Your information will never be published for any
other purpose.
11. How do I update my PSAP information when something changes?
Complete the PSAP assessment form and a TERT committee member will receive your information and
update your agencies information in the TERT database.
MoTERT
Common Questions and
Answers
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