Emergency training classes offered

Sue Doyle

NEWPORT BEACH -- Whether it’s a roaring fire or a small earthquake

tremor, these people rush to emergency scenes on a moment’s notice.

No, they’re not firefighters, but ordinary citizens who receive special

training through a community program designed to save themselves and

others during catastrophic events.

The Community Emergency Response Team program, offered by the Newport

Beach Fire and Marine Department, begins today. People can still sign up

for the nine-week course, which will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The program intends to change the role of citizens, who become part of

the solution instead of victims during disasters. Residents will learn to

stabilize situations until professional help arrives in cases ranging

from small fires to catastrophes, said Donna Boston, emergency services

coordinator for the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department.

“People react to the way they are trained,” Boston said. “So if they’re

psychologically ready for the situation, they can deal with it

professionally.”

Students will learn how to use fire extinguishers and put out live fires.

Professionals teach students how to search rooms for victims and then

medically treat multiple people.

“The training helps people with any kind of disaster,” Boston said. “It

focuses on an all-hazard approach and many skills can be used in

different emergencies.”

Residents will be put to the test on the ninth session, when officials

set up a disaster simulation. Students will rotate through a series of

stations -- there will even be volunteers pretending to be accident

victims who need immediate assistance.

The training helps to fill the gap when major emergencies strike and

emergency workers are overloaded.

FYI

For more information on the Community Emergency Response Team program,

call (949) 644-3109. Weekly training sessions will be held at Fire

Station 3, 868 Santa Barbara Drive, Newport Beach.