Costa Mesa Captures National Award

City emergency preparedness program captures national award

The City of Costa Mesa has won a national award for an extensive earthquake preparedness drill it conducted last year in a local park.

Costa Mesa’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) received an Honorable Mention Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its Brentwood Neighborhood Exercise. The drill featured 55 trained CERT volunteers who practiced:

• Performing search-and-rescue operations;
• Providing medical aid;
• Accessing damage;
• Setting up areas for family reunification and pet rehabilitation.

Twenty-six households participated in the nearly six-hour drill.

“Our collective group of fire, police, and community CERT members is incredible,” said Fire Chief Dan Stefano. “Congratulations to all involved.”

According to recent FEMA research, nearly 70 percent of Americans have not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise, aside from a fire drill, at their workplace, school or home in the past two years.

“Strong emergency management requires teamwork, community engagement, innovation, and strong relationships at all levels before disasters occur,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in announcing his agency’s 2014 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. “This year, we recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify this approach, and I congratulate them on their dedication to make our nation stronger and safer.”