El Dorado Mobile Home Estates held its own Shake Out earthquake drill Thursday, November 13. The HOA and park management coordinated the disaster preparedness event. Two block captains were assigned to each of 6 sections and the entire park was covered by the captains in half-an-hour, which in a disaster translates to excellent time. Twelve captains participated; under normal circumstances there are four block captains assigned to each section. Pictured are, Park Manager Helen Rosette. HOA President Paul Schifanelli, and Relief Manager Karen Torres.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California resulting in extreme shaking and non-functioning electricity and phone lines throughout the Santa Clara Valley at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2008! Well, not really, it was just a statewide drill billed as the Great Southern California Shakeout. We all recognize that natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and fires will occur as they have throughout our valley’s history, along with the possibility of others too scary to mention. El Dorado Mobile Home Estates is in the midst of preparing for just such an emergency, thanks to Voice of El Dorado Homeowner’s Association’s president, Paul Schifanelli; Patrick Maynard, Disaster Coordinator for the City of Fillmore; on-site park manager Helen Rosette, and the participants of the HOA’s Emergency Block Captain Program. Many participants are graduates of invaluable CERT training, a seven-week course presented by Deputy Chief, Special Operations of the Fillmore Fire Department, Royce Davis.

During the drill, twelve members of the Emergency Block Captain Program, under the direction of Rosette and relief manager Karen Torres, assembled into teams of two. Each team searched one of six sectors for possible emergency scenarios, placed in envelopes in selected mail tubes by the Fillmore Fire Department. Team members immediately reported to home base with walkie-talkies, where and when a depicted situation was discovered, and if it needed critical or additional attention. At home base, a large map with the layout of the park, provided by Maynard served to pinpoint and mark problematic locations. In the event of a real disaster, this program could save time and lives. The entire operation took less than an hour and deemed very successful by all for a first run. Officer Tony Biter acted as liaison to the park, home to hundreds of seniors.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept, developed and implemented in 1985 by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), addresses the likelihood that citizens will be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. The Department recognized that basic emergency training of citizens, including disaster survival and rescue skills could help improve early survival statistics until responders or other assistance could arrive.

Two years later in 1987, confirming the need for civilian training to meet immediate needs, the Whittier Narrows earthquake struck, underscoring the strong possibility of area-wide threats of major proportions in California. Soon the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division to train citizens in the CERT program. During the past twelve years, more than 10,000 people and 393 teams have received training.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) took notice of the comprehensive program and its effectiveness, recommending the concept and the program be made available to communities nationwide. It is committed to supporting the training of local CERT teams across the nation. Along with input from the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), the CERT program now includes training materials applicable to all hazards. Oakland, San Francisco and Colorado Springs Fire Departments have assisted in preparing training materials along with technical review from experts associated with Las Vegas, and Fairfax County, VA Fire Departments.

CERT training is not new to El Dorado. The first CERT graduates received their certificates in 2004 and nearly 50 residents have completed CERT training since then. However, there will always be a need for additions and replacements, and new CERT classes are tentatively scheduled for the spring. Rosette says, “The program is very beneficial to the park, and I am very pleased with the outcome of this drill for simulated evacuation. Training is necessary for residents to help themselves and others, while coping with a disaster.”

There is no doubt that walkie-talkies made evaluation for assistance faster and easier. Many residences in the park sustained major damage during the Northridge earthquake on January 17, 1994, and such equipment would have been extremely beneficial. Fortunately, the flood in January 2005 caused no injury or damage, and evacuation went very smoothly. Nevertheless, preparedness is critical to surviving future disasters.

The Voice of El Dorado Homeowner’s Association considers the success of the Emergency Block Captain Program the centerpiece of its purpose. Funds are needed to purchase officially recommended supplies and equipment such as walkie-talkies, first aid kits, triage tarps, focusing lamps, flashlights, surgical gloves, etc. The HOA is holding a Holiday Gift, Crafts and Bake Fundraising Opportunity on Saturday, November 29 at the El Dorado clubhouse. Donuts, coffee, hotdogs and the fixings will be available for a nominal charge. Many businesses in town have contributed wonderful merchandise and services available to participants for a donation. El Dorado residents, family and friends are welcomed to do some early holiday shopping and at the same time, help the residents of El Dorado help themselves, if and when that day arrives.