Disaster Response Drill Across San Ramon Valley Saturday

Residents throughout the San Ramon Valley will be seeing a lot of activity this
weekend, as members of the San Ramon Valley Community Emergency Response
Team take on a simulated large-scale emergency scenario.

The Simulated Emergency Test, on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., is designed to give members of the CERT program an opportunity to hone their skills and test their preparedness in an emergency situation. The drill will involve a simulated earthquake event along the Hayward Fault.

Crews will be instructed to respond as though the event caused major damage throughout the area.

Dozens of CERT personnel from Danville, San Ramon, Alamo and other unincorporated areas of the valley will roam through neighborhoods wearing
green vests and helmets.

The teams will conduct damage assessments and relay information to a local Emergency Operations Center using amateur radio operators. The purpose of the exercise is to teach CERT members to communicate with the radio operators during an emergency.

Studies show effective communication is the most crucial element to managing any emergency.

For further information about the drill or the San Ramon Valley CERT program, go to www.firedepartment.org/cert.