As we all know, earthquakes and other natural disasters may occur at any time in Southern California. In an effort to be prepared for such an event, the ORPS Safety & Security Committee conducted their annual Emergency Response Team (ERT) drill a few weeks ago. The ERT consists of volunteer ORPS owners who are willing to provide assistance when the city/county fire departments & paramedic personnel are unavailable. The ERT boasts over 25 volunteers and is divided into two primary groups – Rescue Team and First Aid/ Medical Team. Volunteers include retired firefighters, law enforcement personnel, EMTs, medics, doctors and nurses, as well as those with experience in the business world & farming. This year ’ s drill participants included 21 of our ERT members, 5 Safety & Security Committee members, 3 ORPS Security Staff and 17 ORPS volunteer patients. The drill focused on skills that are most likely to be used in the event of an emergency. For example:
1. Hand Held Radios –
effective usage &
communication 2. Backboards – safely securing and transporting injured patients 3. Triage – quick & effective assessment of injuries/ treatment in a mass casualty scenario 4. Generators & Scene Lights – quickly setting up power & lighting where needed 5. Patient Carry Tarps – safely securing & transporting injured patients
The feedback from this year ’ s drill was very positive. Best practices were shared, feedback to improve future drills was discussed, and additional equipment acquisitions were recommended. A special “ thank you ” goes out to all ERT members and the volunteers who did an amazing job with their role playing as injured patients. The Safety & Security Committee and Emergency Response Team are always seeking additional owner volunteers. If you would like to learn more about either of these groups and/or become a member, then please reach out to the Safety & Security Committee. Thank you!
Steve Stockman – Safety & Security Chair
ORACLE
3
MARCH 2025
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