Many of the CERT volunteers are emergency medical technicians. Montrose Search and Rescue members, also EMTs, were at the drill as observers. All responded to the accident.
Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Silversparre, who was on hand to observe the drill, commented on the organization and quick response of both deputies and CERT members.
Within seconds the woman was being treated and deputies and volunteers were directing traffic around the accident.
The woman was later transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The team then went back to the drill. Many of the volunteer victims were students from local schools and organizations.
Trent Welker, a member of the CV Sheriff Explorer unit, portrayed a victim that had to be rescued from the park’s community house.
Crescenta Valley High School JROTC member James Lewis was helped out of the building by CERT members.
“I have a badly sprained ankle,” Lewis said.
Glendale’s Boy Scout Troop 118 sent several of their members as volunteer victims.
“We have some that are dead and others that are injured,” said Constantine Boukidis, Scout master, of the actors/victims.
The troop is based out of the Verdugo Woodlands area. Boukidis said that he received an e-mail from Binkley requesting volunteers.
“Six of our members are here,” he said. “This is what Scouting is all about, contributing to the community.”
As the drill progressed, another component was added. CERT volunteer leader Paul Dutton portrayed having an apparent heart attack.
“This gives us an idea of how the team members function without the leader,” Binkley explained.
