Sand Canyon CERT Emergency Evacuation Training Drill – June 20

On Saturday June 20, 2015 the Sand Canyon CERT team hosted an Emergency Evacuation Training Drill from 9 until noon with the assistance of the Wildland Fire Camp 8 personnel. The CERT team handed out information packets to Sand Canyon residents containing ReadyKern, Fire Safe Defensible Space, and FOR-CERT brochures and invited those interested to join a caravan from Umtali Rd. and Sand Canyon Rd. to the LEHIGH (Williamson Rd.) exit to Tehachapi Blvd. The route traverses private property and the gates are normally locked. LEHIGH Cement Co. granted special access for this one day event. In the event that Sand Canyon Road becomes inaccessible due to a disaster or emergency this route could be used to evacuate the canyon. The goal of the training drill was to promote awareness and educate local residents about the existence of the emergency route and to actually test drive the route.

The event was very successful as shown by the great turnout and lessons learned by the CERT team. A total of 33 vehicles with 53 persons (and one dog) participated in the drill. The 15 CERT members handed out literature, manned gates, and led caravans through the evacuation route. A bonus free lunch coupon was provided to participants by the local Love's McDonalds.

The LEHIGH escape route was established by Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall with the assistance of the Wildland Fire Camp 8 personnel and County Supervisor Zack Scrivner at the request of Sand Canyon residents since Sand Canyon has only one road in and out.