Citizens play a role during times of emergency
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO/Acorn Newspapers CRISIS COUNSELING--Carol Tubelis, emergency operations coordinator for Agoura Hills, gets a lesson in light search and rescue from a Los Angeles County Fire Department representative at the Del Valle training facility in Castaic.

In a life-threatening emergency, it fast becomes apparent that there's a world of difference between a good Samaritan and a trained, authorized first responder.

Well-meaning but untrained rescuers may complicate a dangerous situation and become victims themselves. Police and firefighters are trained to get to the scene fast when people are in jeopardy, and are qualified to provide basic first aid and other vital relief.

Members of the Agoura Hills Community Emergency Response Team, known as CERT, are expanding the group's capabilities to include light search and rescue. The goal is to achieve a trained network of residents who can assist firefighters, sheriff's deputies and other first responders during fires, earthquakes and other disasters.

CERT members from Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Calabasas took a field trip June 23 to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Del Valle Training Facility in Castaic to get a sampling of the do's and don'ts of search and rescue assistance.

Search and rescue procedures are used to save lives. During heavy rains, teenagers have been fatally whisked away in the coursing waters of reservoirs and flood-control channels. Adults are often hurt while climbing or hiking.

Rescuers must save people trapped in burning buildings, injured in earthquakes--even victims in unusual situations such as a Texas toddler's 1987 fall into an 8-inch well pipe. Rescuers worked for 58 hours straight to save the 18-month-old girl.

"It's important because we want to develop a light search and rescue unit," said Carol Tubelis, city emergency operations coordinator. She called CERT "the eyes and ears of the city during an emergency."

Fire Capt. Don Roy talked to the Del Valley visitors, presenting an overview of department search and rescue training. Firefighters learn swift water rescue dive techniques, and how to save people trapped in trenches or mine shafts.

Rescue workers are also taught to respond to terrorist attacks. Special gear is necessary, and bio warfare masks and impenetrable suits are worn.

Volunteers can mark buildings to help professionals recognize potential rescue sites. Roy said such trained first responders should identify areas where people are trapped; lines can then be set up to help firefighters find the victims. "Get the walking wounded out," Roy said. He recommended maintaining voice contact with people who are trapped, but warned against entering buildings.

Fire Capt. Bob Lee, a Del Valle trainer, said the elderly often become confused when a disaster occurs. "Get them out, get them to safety," he said.

Volunteers viewed an array of emergency equipment, including saws to cut cars open and tools to dismantle buildings and break heavy panes of glass. Unique vests are outfitted to carry tools, voltage detectors, radios, food, water, pads and pens.

CERT members peered into simulated disaster sites including a wrecked car, water silos and oil derricks. The site has 600 feet of vaults and 70-foot shafts for rescue practice. Workers are trained to rescue victims trapped on a tower in 180-mph winds.

Response teams are taught to proceed with extreme caution. Neighborhood first response volunteers learn to shut off gas and electricity to homes.

"Your hardest problem will be keeping people away (from disaster sites)," said Agoura Hills Assistant Fire Chief Reggie Lee. "People try to save their property and endanger themselves."

"You never, ever want to become a victim," Roy added.

Reggie Lee said that when a house collapses, dust and darkness cause disorientation and restrict visibility. "The issue is how to get out."

Advice from Del Valle trainers addressed various emergency situations: