Volunteer for the Code Enforcement Disaster Assistance Response (CEDAR)

The Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes (DBSC) Code Enforcement Disaster Assistance Response (CEDAR) Program provides requesting communities with timely, appropriate post-disaster assistance as part of the statewide coordinated effort under the leadership of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management, and in accordance with Executive Law 2-B. The program’s initial disaster response focuses on performing Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessments of damaged structures in affected communities for use as part of the application process to request federal disaster assistance through FEMA. The CEDAR program’s long-term disaster response will provide a unified method that allows communities to access the broad range of resources available within the Department of State, and, with the cooperation of other state agencies and private partners, resources beyond the Department of State.

Who can be a CEDAR Team Volunteer?

• Certified Code Enforcement Officials
• Certified Building Safety Inspectors
• Registered Design Professionals
• Others with specialized skills, knowledge or abilities

What is the process to volunteer?

Step 1 – QUALIFY

• Complete two National Incident Management System (NIMS) prerequisite courses (ICS-700 Introduction to the National Incident Management System, and ICS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System) available in a classroom setting or online.
• Information on accessing the online courses, FEMA course eligibility toward annual in-service training credits, and receiving your FEMA Transcript can be found at:

http://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/edu_train_FEMA.html

Step 2 – APPLY

Complete and submit the CEDAR Application

http://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/pdf/CEDARapp.pdf

Complete and submit the Employer Release Form.  This verifies that your employer will allow you to respond to CEDAR activations.

 http://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/pdf/CEDAreleaseFORM.pdf

Step 3 – TRAIN

• Successfully complete the 6-hour orientation training.  The training sessions are scheduled as needed throughout the State.

For More Information, Contact:
Eric C. Bradshaw
Emergency Management Coordinator
NYS Department of State
Division of Building Standards and Codes
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave, Suite 1160
Albany, NY 12231-0001

Phone: (518) 474-4073
Fax: (518) 486- 4487

[email protected]

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