San Juan CERT Volunteers Become Self Reliant Citizens

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — On November 4, there were 23 new members of the San Juan Capistrano Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). In the fall of 2o17, these emergency responders have learned disaster preparedness, terrorism awareness, fire safety, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, disaster communications, team organization and disaster simulation.

The final disaster simulation, an earthquake with fire, the CERT participants used lessons learned to free a trapped dummy from underneath a heavy object using physics and what they learned from fire professionals over 20 hours of classroom and hands-on training.

Now, they are ready for anything.

San Juan Capistrano is unique in its wilderness areas, and there is always a potential for earthquakes in our area, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.

Volunteers are needed to fill the gap with emergency first responders, to see if you can fit in with helping your community's emergency preparedness program.

According to the City of San Juan Capistrano web site, the CERT program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness, as well as self reliance during emergencies, man-made or natural disasters.

"CERT volunteers are trained in emergency procedures and are duly registered as Disaster Service Workers in accordance with the California Government Code and the City of San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code," the website said.

After a final training session, an earthquake with fire, the latest CERT team completed their final exercise, however what they have learned is far from over.

Congratulations to San Juan Capistrano’s 23 newest CERT members! Final exercise: earthquake with fire pic.twitter.com/1blXVrbfmn
— OCFA Division 3 (@OCFADivision3) November 4, 2017

Congratulations to San Juan Capistrano’s 23 newest CERT members! Final exercise: earthquake with fire pic.twitter.com/1blXVrbfmn
— OCFA Division 3 (@OCFADivision3) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/OCFADivisi... 4, 2017

To register for the next round of CERT training, classes will be over 6 consecutive Monday nights sarting Jan. 29, 2018. The final day will culminate with a disaster simulation using the skills learned, according to the website.

Do you have what it takes to help in case of emergency? register here: sanjuancapistrano.org

City of San Juan Capistrano Photo