Community participates in drill
By Vickie Wagstaff
In October of each year, the state of California asks us to join them in the world’s largest earthquake drill. Businesses, schools, churches and citizens are encouraged to participate on a specific date and time.
Most groups take the opportunity to review emergency plans and run through evacuation procedures.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southern California takes the opportunity to review emergency communications between their wards (congregations), stakes (similar to a Catholic Parrish) and the local Bishop’s Storehouses. The Cypress Stake, which encompasses the cities of Buena Park, Garden Grove, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton and portions of West Anaheim, participated in the drill Saturday, Oct. 20.
Members of the Cypress Stake Emergency Response Communications Network (ERC net) practice HAM radio protocols during a weekly network. The shakeout drill allowed the people an opportunity to practice handling their HAM radios in an emergency situation. The church has set standards for each of its units to provide basic information in case of an emergency. This allows for the general headquarters of the church located in Salt Lake City, to allocate emergency supplies based on the needs of the area.
In the event of a real emergency, the supplies would be used not only for Latter-day Saints but for people in the local surrounding communities.
The drill was facilitated by the Cypress Stake Emergency Preparedness Specialist Kory Mikesell. ERC members were in positions around the communities of Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, and parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Stanton. At 10 a.m., using the frequency utilized by the group, Mikesell announced, “This is only a drill,” and then proceeded to call roll.
Those ERC members participating responded back with their call sign, and general information about the area in which they were located for the drill. To make the drill lifelike, respondents embellished the stories of what they were witnessing. It also helped to make the drill more entertaining.
Mikesell gathered the reports, as well as reports from the local bishops regarding the status of their congregants and assigned missionaries. The information was relayed to the Fountain Valley Bishop’s Storehouse, which was then relayed on to the Bishop’s Storehouse in Colton.
Colton then relayed the information to Salt Lake City. Fountain Valley can also provide information directly to Salt Lake City when needed. For this drill, communications were done all through the use of HAM radios.
Most people think that in the case of a major disaster, they will be able to communicate using their cell phones—this may not be the case if cell towers are damaged or have fallen. Since HAM radios use the airwaves, the only thing that keeps one radio operator from reaching another is if the airwaves are obstructed by something, such as a mountain.
A HAM operator also does not need to have a huge antenna on a rooftop, although that does help to reach a farther distance.
Many of the local ERC members use handheld radios with mobile antennas.
Whatever the individual situation, it is always best to be prepared. That is the purpose of the statewide Great California Shakeout.
It’s never too late to start. For information regarding emergency preparedness topics in general, visit youtube.com/user/kmikesell.
