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Cerro Coso Prepares for Emergencies

October 12, 2010

Cerro Coso Community College is preparing to take part in the Great California ShakeOut at 10:21 a.m. on Oct. 21. The College recently completed a test of its emergency notification system CCAlert. The emergency notification system will deliver vital information to the students, staff, and administration as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency situation. The system was established to enhance the safety of all students and staff, as well as to provide direction in an emergency and to minimize misinformation.

In the event of a major emergency CCAlert will provide students and staff via voice, e-mail, and text messages pertinent information and instructions. "It is very important that students and staff keep their information up-to-date so they will receive CCAlert messages," stated John Daly, Director of Safety at the College. "Students and staff are encouraged to update their information regularly via MyBanWeb and select Personal Information," continued Daly.

"We take our role in the safety of our students, staff, and community very seriously. The Cerro Coso IWV facility is a designated American Red Cross shelter during a major catastrophe, so it is imperative that our team be prepared in such an event," said Daly.

For most people a disaster is something that always happens somewhere else, never in their own community. That's not the mindset at Cerro Coso Community College. "We are actively training to ensure the safety of our students and staff at all of our campuses," stated president, Jill Board.

In addition to their participation in the Great ShakeOut, Cerro Coso Administrators recently took part in table top exercises on emergency response and discussed the College Incident Command Structure. On October 15th management will receive Emergency Operations Center training on the role, design, and functions of EOC's and its component of a multi-agency coordination system. To date 93.2% of Cerro Coso staff members have completed mandatory Incident Command System (ICS) 100 training and 45.3% have completed National Incident Management System (NIMS) 700 training.

Cerro Coso is taking a pro-active approach with education and prevention to minimize hazards and behaviors that can lead to injuries or hamper the effectiveness of response efforts in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. The college has scheduled radio and fire extinguisher training over the next month, and tracks staff with First Aid and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training. New AED machines have been strategically placed around the various campuses, along with first aid trauma kits, and evacuation maps have been ordered for all rooms. "Our goal is to be prepared to respond when needed," said Board. "Lives could depend on it".

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260