EL PASO - People crying for help, blood everywhere, even a man trapped under a door: Today some of your neighbors showed us what they've learned to save lives.
The community emergency response team just put out a fire at a neighborhood disaster. Next, they have to go on to search for people hurt in the explosion.
"Are there any victims? If you can hear my voice walk to me," a team member said.
People are found bleeding, and lying lifeless on the floor. All of the injured are taken to an emergency triage setup outside. That's where a team of volunteer medical staff treat their injuries. Today it was just an exercise, practice for the volunteer community response teams. September is National Preparedness month, and El Paso is leading the state in the effort to make sure community members are ready to pick-up the job when city emergency crews are busy.
"The 1st response agencies are going to be overwhelmed, so we're trying to get the communities ready to respond to this type of thing and handle it, Calvin Shanks with the Office of Emergency Management said.
That means El Paso is calling on you, no matter what age, to volunteer for free training to become part of an emergency response team.
"It's a critical component to our community effort to save lives, save property and survive," Shanks said.
If you're interested in becoming a member of a community emergency response team click here. (You will be redirected to www.readyelpaso.org )
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