Caring neighbors train to help in times of turmoil

By MARTIN FISHER
Altavista Journal Staff Writer

 LYNCH STATION — Citizen Emergency Response Team volunteers gathered at Mount Hermon United Methodist Church Saturday for a final test.

They have been learning about how neighbors can organize to help neighbors during extraordinary disaster situations.

Altavista CERT is just one of thousands of teams organizing in more than 1,100 communities nationwide to equip civilians as helpers for the sake of basic, or "light" rescue when other resources are exhausted.

It could be weather related, a storm with widespread damage, or it could be in the event of a coordinated series of terrorist attacks that tap out the usual responders.

CERT volunteers are equipped, each member has a pack of supplies, and they are instructed in what to do if called upon – all on the belief that a pound of cure now is worth tons when really needed.

CERT Instructor and American Red Cross Emergency Services Director for Lynchburg the area, Doug Eggleston said that Saturday’s mock-disaster exercise was meant to be an eye-opener for team members.

"We’re not doing this to make you feel bad," he told volunteers after some setbacks in their execution of one exercise.

"We are doing this to help you with the rescue process and to protect your team members," he added. "Do not be discouraged — this will prepare you. This is why we do the walk-through test."

A mock explosion presented rescuers with a puzzle:

dealing with several wounded including one man down under roofing debris in a side room.

Rescuers during the first test followed their steps correctly, but they missed a less obvious detail — a power cord that could have been lethal in a real emergency.

"Four rescuers were ‘electrocuted’ in this exercise because of that, they did not assess the situation before trying to move the victim — they did not see the dangers involved," CERT Instructor Gerald Mays said.

Eggleston said that the test’s result was excellent because it clearly presented by way of experience what the team volunteers needed most to take away with them.

"The more often you’re involved with it, the more it becomes your instinct as the responder," he said. "It will come back to you when you need it."

CERT Instructor and Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Bolling gave a few lessons on what to expect if a serious terrorist event occurs.

"I can pass on some information on what to look for in terrorist activity, what possible terrorist targets there are and how to respond with available resources if a terrorist incident happens," he said.

CERT volunteers divide into task groups upon arrival to a disaster scene, they are instructed to be suited up and prepared with the proper supplies.

They choose a leader from themselves, then they designate someone to take notes of what the crews find.

They check out the perimeter to secure dangers as much as possible while quickly entering the scene and announcing themselves.

"Can anyone hear me, come to the sound of my voice,"

volunteer Haywood Belvin said at the drill instruction on Saturday.

Soon, the team had neutralized the power to the building, lifted the debris using special lifting equipment, and had removed their first serious-case ‘victim.’

It was another step in disaster preparedness that now can rally dozens of volunteers in Campbell County.

The teams are also available for when disaster strikes on a particularly heavy magnitude somewhere else – teams may be utilized in surrounding states or further on, wherever the need arises.

"All total, we are at about 50 team members in Campbell County. We are about half way to our goal of 100 by the end of the year," Eggleston said.

Altavista CERT has a dozen members; it takes at least 10 people to get a starter-class going. Other teams are organized in Concord, Rustburg and Timberlake areas.

The next class is scheduled to begin on June 18 at Timberlake United Methodist Church pending enough volunteers to sign on as committed to the cause.

Those interested in that or other possible classes starting in the fall can contact Christin Anthony at 283-9843.

CERT is a program led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through local public safety departments.