On Saturday, October 20, members of the Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) responded to a simulated moderately severe earthquake.
Their first job was to secure their families and check their neighborhoods to find out if anyone needs help. They used FRS radios, Ham radios and runners to report their neighborhood situation to the Emergency Operations Center.
When their neighborhoods were secure, they reported to the Rheem Elementary School in Moraga which was the site designated as the local shelter for this exercise.
At the school, they found trapped and injured children, parents looking for their children and local residents needing medical help and shelter.
With the help of the Red Cross, the CCC Medical Reserve Corps, the Salvation Army and local first responders the CERTs rescued and transported injured victims, provided emergency medical care and established a shelter.
While maintaining communications with the Emergency Operations Center, the Community Emergency Response Team members used their skills and training to fulfill their essential role in local emergency response.
This was the first time Lamorinda CERTs practiced their role in a disaster in the neighborhoods as well as at a shelter. Under the supervision of a simulated Emergency Operations Center they organized their response teams and took the lead in search and rescue, medical operations and opening and operating a shelter.
You may recognize the benefits of having a Community Emergency Response Team in an organized neighborhood. If you want help preparing your neighborhood for any emergency, email drill@lamorindacert.org. We are eager to help and look forward to seeing you in our next CERT class!
The exercise on Saturday, October 20 was from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Drill Timeline:
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