Contra Costa Health Needs Volunteers For Mock Emergency Drill

Volunteers are still needed for an emergency preparedness exercise on Nov. 20 organized by the City of El Cerrito and Contra Costa Health Services.

The exercise will simulate local emergency response to a large-scale bioterrorism incident that requires a large number of people receive medication. The exercise will include a mock “point-of-dispensing site” where life-saving medication would be distributed to the public.

WHO: People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Volunteers are needed to play the role of disaster service workers staffing the site and “mock clients” seeking medicine.

Groups and families are encouraged to participate, as are people with limited English proficiency and those with access and functional needs. The goal is to make the exercise as representative of our community as possible.

Volunteers playing the role of disaster service workers will need to attend training before the event. Volunteers playing the part of “mock clients” are needed for the day of the event and no training is required.

WHEN: The exercise is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 20. Free continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Preregistration is required by Nov. 13.

Volunteers serving as disaster service workers must attend a 90-minute training on November 13 at either 3pm or 6pm. In-person training will be held in the Council Chambers at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito CA 94530.

Webinar training will also be available Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Webinar instructions will be provided to registered volunteers. Call for more information.

Trainings will be held at El Cerrito City Hall and online. The drill will be in El Cerrito, with the location provided to registrants.

For more information or to volunteer, call Suzanne Iarla at 510-215-4318. Volunteers may also sign up online at www.el-cerrito.org/nov2014exercise.

--Information courtesy of Contra Costa Health Services.