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Politics & Government

First Responders Offer Public Safety Course for LCF Residents

County public safety personnel teach residents emergency response skills.

With the inherent, natural risks that accompany living in a hillside city, police and fire personnel offer disaster preparedness courses to residents in La Cañada Flintridge, the Crescenta Valley area and throughout Los Angeles County.

The city's website promotes a program called the Volunteer Emergency Response Team, or VERT, which offers residents the chance to learn skills and survival techniques that are critically important during large-scale natural disasters or in the event of more individualized threats to health and safety.

Founded in 1996, "[VERT's] purpose is to increase the general level of disaster preparedness of citizens of the city and surrounding areas, to promote a spirit of team work and good will between membership and the community, and to respond as needed to local emergencies and disasters," the city's website states. "VERT membership is open to any member of the community who is over the age of 18, has completed the basic training, and who wishes to serve the community in this manner."

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La Crescenta resident Lisa Kelly recently completed an emergency preparedness training course akin to VERT taught by the .

"You normally think, 'I'll call 911, and they'll be here before I even have to remember how to do first aid,'" she said. "It's not enough to think about emergency preparedness—you need to actually do it."

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Relying on Each Other

If an earthquake or other type of natural disaster occurs, residents can expect to be without emergency medical care for up to 72 hours, according to members of the Fire Department.

"In a major disaster, first responders ... may not be available to assist everyone—people will need to rely on each other for immediate needs," said Peter Castro, La Cañada Flintridge public safety coordinator.

"We're just trying to get the people prepared in the event of a major disaster or some kind of incident that surprises you," said Steve Harper, a firefighter who teaches VERT courses.

Stephanie English, a Fire Department community services representative who helped establish VERT echoed Harper's sentiment.

"The Fire Department has invested a lot of money and resources and feels it's important because in the event of a major catastrophe like an earthquake, terror attack or fire, but mainly an earthquake, residents find themselves on their own."

Even though the focus is on preparing for a potential major natural disaster or terrorist incident, Harper said emergency response training can apply to smaller scale but still potentially deadly incidents such an auto accident or medical emergency at home.

"[VERT] gives a person a good foundation," he said. "Many times people saw an incident and wanted to stop but weren't sure what to do. It's the kind of class that helps people help their neighbors."

The Class

The city's website describes VERT as a free, 18-hour course that covers the following areas of emergency response training:

  • Earthquake awareness
  • Fire suppression
  • Medical operations
  • Search and rescue
  • Disaster psychology and team organization

"Just as important as the training itself is getting to know the people in your neighborhood ... so that you can help one another in a time of crisis," Kelly added.

The last VERT activity took place last spring. Those interested in registering for an upcoming training session, which is not scheduled yet, can contact the city's public safety coordinator at 818-790-8880 or vert@lacanadaflintridge.com.

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