CEPA graduates deal with mock earthquake scenario

Imagine an 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck - trapping, injuring and killing people within a blink of an eye. Would you know what to do? That's the scenario 32 people had to contend with Tuesday as part of the final drill for the Community Emergency Preparedness Academy (CEPA).

The Civic Center parking lot was transformed into the disaster site, testing the skills CEPA participants learned over the 27-hour course about earthquake preparedness; terrorism awareness; fire suppression; disaster psychology; search and rescue; and other vital skills.

The drill marked the end of the 13th annual CEPA that teaches folks how to take those skills back to their neighborhoods so they can be self-sufficient during a disaster until help arrives - maybe 72 hours or more. Responding to the scene after the mock earthquake, CEPA 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. 

This award-winning academy, a component of Neighborhood Watch, follows FEMA guidelines for citizen emergency response teams. The sessions include hands-on exercises where students also extinguish real fires and extricate bodies from heavy debris.

"Citizens who've completed the CEPA training are valuable assets within our community," said resident Jay Center, who took the academy twice.

For more information, contact CEPA@cityofmissionviejo.org.