I just got this in, the USAR is conducting a drill and we are being asked to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity, because it emulates a potential real situation, where CERT would be the first to arrive, set up ICS, perform light rescue, triage, wound care, all of our skills, then we do the handoff to elements of USAR as they arrive on scene. CERT will do this for the first few hours of the drill, then after the handoff most of the participating CERT will act as victims for the USAR at least part time during the rest of the drill. CERT will probably not spend the whole time in the victim rolls, it appears that there will be some opportunity to shadow the drill proctors and observe the ICS operation. Assignments will be on an as-needed basis, so you don't really know what you will be doing during the drill. All in all this looks like it might be a good opportunity to observe the USAR in action and show them what we can do. And, it is good for a CE.
Please download and read the agenda carefully:
Note that this is a LONG exercise, 7am-6pm, and there will be some physical challenges, as well as possibly long periods of waiting. Also, it is NOT a refresher, you will be expected to know the things you are supposed to know, so take another look at that manual. If there are parts of CERT operations you really don't like to participate in, this is not your drill. I don't know if there will be a lunch break, or many other comforts (a lot like the real thing). This is on a Thursday, August 11. Location is Chula Vista Fire Station 4/Training facility.
ALL OF COUNTY CERT CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS DRILL. Sign up early for this if you want to go:
-Steve
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