"Mass Care and Shelter" Drill Taking Place Thursday

More than 100 San Ramon Valley residents of all ages are taking part in a disaster drill today to help prepare for future emergencies in their own backyards.

The "mass care and shelter" drill, which is taking place at the  on San Ramon Valley Boulevard from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., is organized by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the towns of Danville and San Ramon and the American Red Cross.

Participants will experience a mock disaster facilitated by about 60 trained volunteers, and will learn how to open and operate a shelter for people and pets who have lost their homes or have been temporarily displaced.

"There's an opportunity to learn more as a resident of what a shelter looks like and feels like," said Raymond Riordan, the San Ramon Police Department's emergency preparedness program manager.

"A lot of people have misperceptions about what a shelter is like, because we don't have evacuations that often," he said.

Riordan said the drill is also meant to help local residents understand the roles of government agencies and nonprofits in the event of a disaster.

The types of large-scale emergencies most likely to occur in the San Ramon Valley include earthquakes, fires and hazardous materials incidents, Riordan said.

Participants in today's drill have been told to wear comfortable clothes and to bring friends. Lunch is being provided.

More information about the drill and San Ramon Valley emergency preparedness resources can be found online at www.bereadysrv.org.

-- Bay City News

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