Residents Become CERTified for Emergency Readiness

Earth’s crust is like a giant jigsaw puzzle with pieces, or tectonic plates, that shift daily, generating the land to shake or a volcano to explode, as Moorpark residents who felt the 1994 Northridge-based magnitude 6.7 quake will remember.

Being prepared for the aftermath of such a disaster can help reduce the stress of future uncertainties. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program does just that by providing volunteer emergency preparedness training. On Saturday, 28 Moorpark residents, along with others from Ventura County, completed the six-week course.

John Brand, City of Moorpark senior management analyst, said in Moorpark more than 150 people have completed CERT training.

CERT’s two-inch-thick training manual states citizens could very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster due to the size of the area impacted, the loss of communications or unpassable roads.

“The CERT program prepares you to rely on yourself and also to help those around you . . . to avoid becoming a victim and to have a plan,” Brand said.

The trainees learned the latest procedures for post disaster training along with a golden rule of providing emergency assistance; Ventura County Fire inspector and CERT instructor Alan Perry asked the volunteers many times during the course, “Who’s the most important person here?” “I am,” they answered.

“CERT volunteers have limited training, so basically it’s important to think before you act,” said Perry. “If you become injured, you won’t be able to help anyone.”

A disaster simulation Saturday was the CERT trainees’ final test. Teams were organized for specific tasks including pulling volunteer actors made up as bloody victims out of the wreckage.

After a real-life major disaster, volunteers are now prepared to assist with search and rescue, triage assessment and basic first aid. As part of the program, they are given equipment, such as hard hats, vests and a starter emergency kit, to help them help others.

Mike Sodetani, 26, was motivated to join the CERT team after reading Neil Strauss’s book, Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life.

“If the system breaks down, individuals must be prepared,” said Sodetani. “Having basic knowledge and skills will help us cope.”

Sodetani was concerned that not enough people will be prepared when the big one hits, but was able to convince his friend John Duah to participate. Both men graduated from Moorpark High School in 2003.

Duah, 25, felt the program has worthwhile and gave practical information. He said he thinks all citizens should be required to take the course and be given hardhats.

Moorpark resident Denisa McCallum took the course with her mother, Maria Hanova. McCallum learned how to develop an emergency plan at home and for her family.

She recalled the words by retired firefighter and CERT instructor Don Lee:

“Going into a disaster realize that you didn’t cause it . . . all I can do is make it better.”

For more information, visit the CERT website.

—  is a CERT volunteer as well as a freelance writer for Moorpark Patch.