Hornby Island Earthquake Search and Rescue Training
Become a Hornby H.E.R.O. participate in free training offered by the
Hornby Emergency Preparedness Committee
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Emergency Preparedness and Response Training for Neighbourhoods
The Hornby Island Emergency Preparedness Committee would like to invite residents to participate in an intensive simulation Earthquake Search and Rescue training session that will be held between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM at the Hornby Island Elementary School Saturday February 22, 2020. The course is offered free of charge to all Hornby Island residents.
Learn the basics of post earthquake Rapid Damage Assessment of buildings and earthquake disaster response through lecture presentation and hands-on, intensive simulation exercise. Gain critical knowledge and practical experience to guide citizen responders post earthquake. Simulation details include theatrical make-up for realistic looking injuries, simulation of down power lines, hands-on fire extinguisher training, 100+ dB indoor and outdoor earthquake sounds, smoke development, simulated power outage and gas leak. Course workbook and informational handouts provided.
The ultimate goal of the Committee is to establish neighbourhood teams with equipment in each of the eight Hornby Island zones of operation. Teams include volunteers in various rolls including: Incident Command (Neighbourhood Captain), Communications, First Aid, Safety and Security and Rapid Damage Assessment.
The course of instruction includes a 4 hour lecture presentation then a 45 minute practical “hands-on” exercise after lunch and then a scenario debrief. Participant must bring a bag lunch, dress for the weather and wear outdoor type work clothes and sturdy footwear. The simulated blood used in the exercise may stain clothing. The course involves the use of smoke bombs (outdoors) and the rescue of scenario victims (lifting, carrying and transport). Participants with physical limitations or respiratory sensitivity ailments must inform the instructor during the morning lecture portion. About ½ of the participants will be playing the role of scenario victims and the rest will be the rescuers.
REGISTRATION
Click HERE to send an email to Amy LeBaron. Amy is the Hornby Island Emergency Preparedness Zone Coordinator. Those who, after participating in this course, volunteer for formal team positions will be registered as emergency program designates and, in their zones, will be provided with further training which may include Communications, Rapid Damage Assessment and First Aid.
The Comox Valley Emergency Program and School District 71 (Comox Valley) supports the work of the Hornby Island Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Participant Information:
- Wear loose fitting, cotton long sleeve shirt, cotton long pants, and substantial footwear (hiking boots/ work boots or similar)
- Expect that theatrical make-up will cause permanent stains on clothing (having said that it is usually washes out) dress appropriately
- Donations of light colored long sleeve shirts and/or long pants for injury simulation purposes always greatly appreciated
- Inform the instructor in advance if there is any health condition which will limit your participation in the afternoon practical session (asthma, bad back, etc)
- Lifting of stretchers always requires four people for this scenario
- Bring pen and clipboard
- All though participant personal protective (PPE) gear is provided, consider bringing your own PPE (hard hat, gloves, eye protection, hepa filtered dust mask, coveralls, high visibility vest, flash light)
The instructor, Russel Roy, is the Safety Manager of the Comox Valley School District and has 25 years of emergency preparedness expertise, his background includes a Graduate Diploma in Emergency and Disaster Response and a Diploma in Occupation Health and Safety. Russel has 10 years of volunteer firefighting experience including 5 years with Hornby Island Fire Department.
Click here for a video on Earthquake Search and Rescue Training
Thank you from the membership of the Hornby Island Emergency Preparedness Committee of HIRRA:
- David Wiseman (Chairperson)
- Russel Roy (Secretary)
- Amy LeBaron (Zone Coordinator)
- Gary Burtinsky (Communications Coordinator)
- Helen Grond (Personal Preparedness Coordinator)
- Mike Berman (Emergency Social Services Coordinator)
- Albini Lapierre (Fire Department Liaison)