Tornado drill held for Coachella Valley High School students

Students at Coachella Valley High School got some hands on experience in responding to a simulated emergency on campus Wednesday. This is all part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training the students underwent through courses offered by the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department.

Twenty-five students participated in the drill which involved responding to a simulated major power outage caused by a tornado. This drill will include light search and rescue, as well as medical triage. The exercise simulation included drama students acting as victims with mock injuries. The scenario was chosen according to county emergency management officials as a tornado touched down in the Mecca and Thermal areas in 2015 causing some damage in the area.

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The CERT program involves 20 hours of course time during the regular school day. Key topics that are taught include: basic medical aid, how to build an emergency kit, how to organize a response during a disaster, as well as light search and rescue.

Students received their CERT certification at a graduation ceremony later in the afternoon, which allows them to become first responders for the school.

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