At Wednesday's CERT training, the final one before the team demonstrates what they have learned in a simulated disaster, members were instructed on how to perform an event Sizeup that involved assessing the situation and determining a safe action plan using a nine-step model:

1.) Gather facts 2.) Assess damage 3.) Consider probabilities 4.) Assess your situation 5.) Establish priorities 6.) Make decisions 7.) Develop a plan of action 8.) Take action 9.) Evaluate progress

The goals of a Search and Rescue are to rescue the greatest amount of people in the shortest amount of time, get the walking wounded and ambulatory victims out first, rescue lightly trapped victims next and always be sure to keep the rescuer safe.

The class also learned how to identify types of damage (light, moderate or heavy) and how to consider what probably will or could happen after the initial disaster.

Central Coventry Fire Captain Bill Hall had the class break into three groups to perform an exercise that provided an opportunity to practice some of the thinking processes involved in planning a Search and Rescue sizeup using scenarios involving different Coventry locations.

Next week, the class will finish up the Search and Rescue unit with training on how to properly lift items and extricate victims. They will then participate in a disaster simulation.