The North Central Region Citizen Corps Council will be conducting a disaster simulation drill on March 29 at the Rocky Mountain VillageEaster Seals Camp2644, Alvarado Road Empire, Colorado.

The disaster simulation drill will be facilitated by a support team of first responders from the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, Clear Creek County Office of Emergency Management and Colorado North Central All-Hazards Emergency Management Region. Other supporting agencies include Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and the Salvation Army.

The focal point of the drill is to enhance the skill sets of local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer members. Over 50 community volunteers will take part in this drill.

The Community Emergency Response Team Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their community or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The following are the particulars:

Scenario:On March 29th, 2008 increased winter precipitation, along with the spring freeze and thaw cycle, weakened many canyon slopes along highways in Clear Creek County. Several major landslides closed mountain highways. The Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol, Clear Creek County Sheriff and other emergency agencies had their hands full. Local CERT was activated to assist.