CERT trainees come to the aid of earthquake victims

Ashland Fire & Rescue’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training culminated Saturday afternoon with a mock disaster simulation involving area elementary, middle and high school students role-playing victims of an earthquake. The CERT trainees have received free intensive training to rescue the injured, treat injuries, transport the injured safely and assist patients with coping and with extended care.

The “victims” in the event added to the realism through the use of make-up, fake blood and other injuries … and lots of screaming.

Created in 1999 after the New Year’s Day flood of 1997, Ashland’s CERT program has trained more than 785 volunteers to be better prepared during disaster, making Ashland’s CERT program one of the largest in the nation, according to CERT officials.