Our Fall 2017 city-Wide CERT Exercise was held on Saturday, October 21st in perfect weather. Because it had been so successful in 2016, this year's exercise was planned for Fire Station Engines to again visit Neighborhood CERT Command Posts. Ten neighborhood CERTs signed up to participate. That was all before the catastrophic Northern California wildfires broke out, killing 42 people and destroying over 7,000 homes and buildings. Twelve of Mountain View's fire crew, and some engines, were among the thousands of fire, police, and military deployed to fight the blaze. Our department was stretched to the limit, and we thought of dropping the requests for visits. Fire Management discussed the situation, and decided to stay the course. We were honored and humbled as Engines made their way to eight of the ten Neighborhood CERTs. A hearty thanks and much appreciation for the wonderful crews of the Mountain View Fire Department.
Thanks also to our Ham Radio Emergency Coordinator (EC) Phil Henderson and all of the Hams for providing 24 Hams to staff 10 Neighborhood CERT Command Posts and Net control at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 1000 Villa. They maintained a communications net with all of the CERTs, and transmitted ICS 213 Damage Assessment Summaries to the EOC using both voice and packet radio. Packet messages were automatically displayed on the large screen in the EOC showing the count of fires, hazards, building damage, people injuries and road problems in each Neighborhood CERT.
A big thanks also to about 70 CERT trained and volunteer individuals participating in the ten neighborhoods. We all learned, and hopefully get better, with each exercise. So enjoy the pictures of a very good Mountain view CERT day!
Engine | CERT Neighborhood | Location | Time | Contact |
51 | St. Francis Acres | 1019 Mountain View Ave. | 1315 | Leslie Dean |
51 | Gemello Park | Gemello Park, Marich and Solano court | 1350 | Sophia Volkel |
51 | Old Mountain View | Mercy street – at Frances behind Landels School | 1430 | Sherril Brennan |
52 | Cuesta | Barbara Ave at Leona Lane. Follow the asphalt path toward Bubb School to a green trailer on the right. | 1315 | Hugo Penafiel |
52 | Cooper Neighborhood | Cooper Park, old Snack Shack & Tennis court | 1350 | Kathy Suri |
52 | South Mountain View | Christian Science Church 221 Bryant Ave., back parking lot | 1430 | Pat Noyes |
Rescue | Sylvan Park/New Frontier | 325 Sylvan – near Clubhouse | 1315 | Tom Wilkins |
53 | Monta Loma | 460 Thompson, North parking lot of Monta Loma Elementary School | 1330 | Tim Slattery |
54 | Ada Park | 217 Ada Avenue, by the swimming pool | 1315 | Robin Banks |
54 | Wagon Wheel | cul-de-sac at the end at 248 Walker Drive (accessed from N. Whisman) | 1350 | Susan Goodis |