EARTHQUAKE DRILL HELPS COMMUNITIES BRACE FOR DISASTER.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

A simulated earthquake hit the city of Moorpark earlier this week, testing the disaster preparedness skills of local residents and action teams from all over Ventura County.

``We always have to keep training and drilling, getting people ready for larger and larger incidents,'' said Richard Rink, director of disaster services for the American Red Cross of Ventura County. ``This helps everyone be better prepared when a disaster actually happens.''

The American Red Cross of Ventura County, in conjunction with the city of Moorpark and the Moorpark Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART, staged the earthquake drill Tuesday night to test their emergency response, Rink said.

The American Red Cross offers the simulated drills at least once a year in Ventura, Moorpark, Simi Valley and Conejo Valley, Rink said. At the end of each year, the agency coordinates a countywide drill as part of its overall preparedness program.

During Tuesday's drill, disaster action teams from Moorpark, Simi Valley, Conejo Valley, Camarillo and Oxnard participated. Moorpark's DART simulated search and rescue efforts, while the city of Moorpark simulated an emergency operation center. A Conejo Valley Boy Scout troop also participated, playing the part of 25 victims with different injuries.

During the drill, Red Cross volunteers opened a disaster shelter at Flory School in Moorpark, providing shelter and comfort to simulated victims of the quake. The shelter provided a place to sleep, food and drinks, disaster first aid, and nursing and mental health services.

Red Cross volunteers also opened a family service center next door to Flory School, with caseworkers providing services to simulated victims.

In a real-life disaster, a Red Cross family service center would provide shelter, food, clothing, medical needs, mental health counseling and referral, Rink said. Other services would include first month's rent, deposit, basic household furnishings, cooking utensils and other emergency needs.

Local volunteers tested their ability to open these facilities quickly, provide consistent relief services and deal with difficult and unusual situations, Rink said.

Diana Grace, manager of the Red Cross' East Valley office, said disaster drills give communities a chance to see how many services the American Red Cross provides.

``Most people do not realize the tremendous amount of service provided to the families as it happens quietly behind the visual and graphic scenes on television and on the front page of your paper,'' Grace said. ``The families affected and Red Cross volunteers, however, see the tragic loss and long-term needs suffered by the families and their children.''

HOW TO JOIN People wishing to take part in disaster training or join a local Disaster Action Team can call the Red Cross Ventura County Chapter, [phone] or the East Valley District Office in Simi Valley, [phone].

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