PORT LUDLOW — A corps of people are being trained to keep their wits about them in an emergency.
Tuesday, the Port Ludlow Community Emergency Response Team tried out its response to a large-scale emergency when Fire Department or Sheriff’s Office personnel are unable to arrive quickly.
“This program is important because much of the time we as a community will have to take care of ourselves,” said Tim Manly, a Port Ludlow firefighter and paramedic, who is the Community Emergency Response Team instructor.
To cap a four-week course in which about 20 Port Ludlow residents were taught emergency response techniques, an earthquake simulation took place in a meeting room of the Port Ludlow Fire Hall on Oak Bay Road.
Chimacum High School drama students were enlisted to act as injured victims.
Manly said the simulation was important so the team could know what it’s like to be in a real emergency situation and what the conditions will be like.
It’s also important to establish team leaders and roles for each of the team members so that they will be efficient if a fire, earthquake or tsunami hits the area, he said.
“If a neighborhood is going to come together, you definitely need a point person,” said Manly.
