Grant helps firefighters train Calif. volunteers

By Gail Wesson
The Press Enterprise

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — San Jacinto is organizing a first-ever city community emergency response training class in December, using a Department of Homeland Security grant.

Priority will be given to San Jacinto residents, said Barry Mulcock, San Jacinto streets supervisor who is organizing the training. CalFire/Riverside County Fire Department is co-sponsoring the training.

"We're trying to initiate a once-a-year program," said Mulcock, at no cost to the city through grants. There is room for 30 participants in this class. Training is free.

Volunteers will augment emergency services personnel in helping at a neighborhood level. The idea is that volunteers could go door-to-door to assist their neighbors until safety personnel arrive, Mulcock said.

The 20-hour program educates individuals on fire suppression, first aid and triage, family and home preparedness, and search and rescue techniques focusing on teamwork and small groups. It includes classroom and field training.

The class will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 3, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4-5.

There are similar teams elsewhere in the San Jacinto Valley, including Country Lake Senior Mobile Home Community north of San Jacinto and in Hemet in places such as Casa del Rey, a manufactured home community.

Last year, San Jacinto was awarded $4,700 through a Riverside County homeland security grant program. The funds will be used for student manuals and training supplies associated with the course. The city also will borrow some equipment from the county for training, Mulcock said.

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