Lakeside CERT Rises to New Heights

Lakeside, CA -

The Lakeside Fire District’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) continues to improve with each passing month. With nearly 80 active members, this invaluable program adds greatly to the disaster response capabilities of the community. Citizens trained as CERT volunteers learn and practice skills to help their families and neighborhoods to not only be better prepared for emergencies, but also how to organize a response to local and widespread disasters.

Lakeside Fire Captain Chuck Palmore briefs CERT members before the exercise.

The team recently conducted refresher training and an exercise at the fire district’s River Park Fire Station and administrative complex on Lakeside Avenue. Rescue, medical triage, and emergency communications were practiced with assistance from the district’s other active community service groups, the Logistics Volunteer (LVG) and Communications Volunteer (CVG) Groups.

CERT members practice rescue skills.

 

Lakeside Fire Captain Chuck Palmore and Engineer-Paramedic Lance Buford organized a full day of activities which kept the teams busy. Multiple scenarios were presented to challenge the CERT members’ skills and abilities which emphasized teamwork and helped all the participants become better prepared for the “real thing.”

Citizen responders are faced with multiple "victims" requiring triage.

The next CERT academy is anticipated to occur next spring. For more information on the program or to submit your interest in attending the next academy, please visit the district’s web site at http://www.lakesidefire.net.

Engineer-Paramedic Lance Buford conducts an "After-Action Review" to discuss lessons learned.

Post by: Lakeside Division Chief Jim Kirkpatrick

Photos by: Lakeside LVG