Preparing for The Big One in Mission Viejo

The following comes courtesy of the City of Mission Viejo:

If a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck today would you know what to do? That’s the scenario 32 Community Emergency Response Academy students faced on August 8 during a mock disaster drill at the Mission Viejo Civic Center.

The drill tested the skills the academy graduates acquired over the nine-week course from classes on earthquake preparedness; terrorism awareness; CPR; crisis communication; search and rescue; and other vital skills.

"The free program teaches participants how to take those skills back to their neighborhoods so that they can be self sufficient during a disaster until help arrives maybe up to 72 hours or more later," said Public Services Administrative Manager Paul Catsimanes.

Responding to the scene after a mock major earthquake, students dealt with bruises, scrapes, burns, deep lacerations, broken bones and head and back injuries. They addressed victims with minor injuries; severe wounds; and even the deceased. The program put their newfound knowledge to the test focusing on leadership, scene assessment, triage (sorting of victims), medical attention and evacuation.

The award-winning academy, a component of Neighborhood Watch, is a 28-hour certified curriculum that follows FEMA guidelines for citizen emergency response teams. It includes law and fire disaster operations, fire safety, light search & rescue, CPR and First Aid/AED certifications, basic crisis intervention and neighborhood mobilization. The sessions include hands-on exercises where students extinguish real fires, extricate bodies from heavy debris and treat mock injuries in response to a simulated earthquake.

Graduate Pat Felbinger said the class taught her "so much" that she’s encouraging others to follow suit.

For more information, contact CEPA@cityofmissionviejo.org.