Cathedral City High students put emergency training to the test during ‘Great ShakeOut’

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Cathedral City High students put rescue skills to work during The Great California ShakeOut.

An injured student on the stairs. Another appearing bloodied. Teams searching buildings and helping people who could not walk.

The injuries were simulated, but the hands-on training at Cathedral City High School had a serious purpose: preparing students to respond when a real earthquake strikes.

Students participated by taking cover under classroom desks before moving into a larger emergency response exercise.

For students in the school’s HEAL Academy, the drill went well beyond practicing “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” They searched for simulated victims, coordinated transportation and helped get injured people to a triage area, where their injuries could be assessed.

“It shows us what to do and not to be scared when something big happens like this,” said Julian, a senior who participated in search and rescue.

The HEAL Academy prepares students interested in healthcare careers through instruction that includes emergency medicine, public health and disaster response. Lead teacher Kyle Bashore said students train over several weeks and earn certification through the fire department.

Thursday’s exercise gave them an opportunity to put those lessons into practice alongside firefighters and students from College of the Desert.

Bashore said that preparation matters because a major disaster could damage infrastructure and stretch emergency services.

With limited personnel available to respond, students who understand how to help—and how to request help—could make a difference on campus and in their neighborhoods.