Fortuna Press Release:

The Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department will be conducting a complex earthquake drill on today from 6:45 PM to 9:30 PM. Residents in Fortuna, Alton, Hydesville and Palmer Creek can expect to see fire engines in both residential and commercial areas as they respond to simulated emergencies. Firefighters and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) teams will respond to a wide range of simulated emergencies including collapsed buildings, natural gas leaks, structural fires, downed power lines, and medical emergencies. The Fortuna Police Department, Fortuna Public Works and several schools will be assisting during the exercise.

Fortuna Fire Chief Lon Winburn stated “This exercise will help us improve our command and control skills at every level as well as test our ability to utilize and track a variety of resources which will be needed during a major disaster in which we will likely face multiple emergencies occurring at the same time.”

For additional information or questions please contact Steve Underwood, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator at 601-6753 or Lon Winburn at Fortuna Fire Headquarters – 725-5021.