Emergency Workers Participate In Preparedness Drill

More than a hundred emergency preparedness volunteers received training Saturday at the Roy Wilson Fire Station in Thousand Palms.

The volunteers belong to community emergency response teams, otherwise know as CERT.

CERT volunteers role varies from setting up neighborhood action groups to helping emergency responders during a disaster.

“To have these people volunteering their time and being prepared to be prepared in their neighborhoods and prepared to respond with county firefighters is a terrific volunteer spirit,” said Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit.

Riverside County Fire, Palm Springs Fire Department, Cathedral City Fire Department as well as The Red Cross and the county’s ham radio operators all participated in the training.

Volunteers practiced such skills as fire extinguisher safety, search and rescue techniques, and triage.

Many CERT volunteers have practiced these skills in other training sessions throughout the year. But organizers say Saturday’s training gave them a chance to practice with firefighters.

“Firefighters and EMT are practicing constantly. They have drills that they do every week, maybe daily and we don’t do it that frequently we need to upgrade our skills and keep them honed,” said Phil Shaver, a CERT volunteer from Rancho Mirage.

The county will hold a similar training for CERT volunteers in the Coachella Valley next spring.