Residents train for a local disaster

NEWPORT BEACH — On Saturday, resident Janet Probst put out a fire, helped triage patients with ghastly-looking wounds, guided her group through a dark room and helped lift large floors off the ground — all to help prepare herself in case of a major disaster in the area.

The wounds and all other scenarios were simulated at the Newport Beach Fire Station in Fashion Island, but she did get to put out a fire caused by diesel fuel.

The drill Probst and more than 50 other people who live or work in the city participated in doubled as their graduation from Newport Beach’s Community Emergency Response Team program.

Over the course of the program’s nine weeks, the group learned about disaster preparedness, and on Saturday they put their newfound knowledge to the test during the simulated after-effects of a big earthquake hitting the area.

“I decided to do this because I really like to be prepared and trained…. I have a feeling an earthquake is going to come, and I want to be organized,” Probst said.

But it can also help in everyday situations. Newport Beach resident Kathie McClelland said she’s been able to call police when she has seen a car accident and was able to assess how much response was needed better than she would have before.

Four stations were set up for five groups: fire suppression, light search and rescue inside and outside, and medical operations.

Before the class, Probst didn’t realize that putting out a fire with an extinguisher was harder than it looked.

“You can tell you need to have practiced at this; it’s definitely a technique,” she said after she put out a fire set by firefighters outside the fire station.

Laguna Niguel resident Brian Pierson works in Newport Beach helps him to be more prepared.

“If people aren’t totally prepared after this, at least it opens their eyes to the possibilities; it gives a pretty good idea of how to get yourself prepared,” Pierson said.

“The whole premise is to be able to secure your own home and family first, then get out to help people. If there was a disaster large enough, these guys won’t be able to get to everyone.”

It can also be a way to bond with family.

Father and son, Richard and Matt Eimers, decided to take the course together.

“I did it with my dad as a way to bond, but in a disaster we want to be prepared,” Costa Mesa resident Matt Eimers said after putting out a fire. Richard Eimers lives in Newport Beach.

Many people take the course multiple times to brush up on their skills and make sure they’re continually ready. Matt Eimers said he’d like to take the course with his wife. Corona del Mar resident Rochelle Liss said she comes back every six months.

The course is free to anyone who lives or works in Newport Beach. The city of Costa Mesa also does a Community Emergency Response Team certification.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the federal government pushed for local fire and police departments to have such training so that more people will be prepared to help when it’s needed.

For more information, visit www.nbcert.org or call (949) 644-3112.