We are pleased with all of the CVAN Volunteers who participated in the January 31, 2004 Disaster Drill. CVAN obtained many dedicated Volunteers -- CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team), TARA (Torrance Amateur Radio Association), HAM Operators and Neighborhood Volunteers, We are confident the number of CVAN Volunteers will grow, because of the energy our folks have created.

CVAN organizers wish to thank all the dedicated Volunteers who participated in the January drill. Without their efforts we would not be discussing any future Disaster Drills. As volunteers, you really do make the world go around!

The following is a brief description of the anatomy of our drill. In a drill exercise, we would simulate a true event of a national or local disaster, with loss of power and phones. The Neighborhood Volunteers would check their families and then proceed to check their neighbors. In a true disaster, the Neighborhood Volunteers will be equipped with “Incident Report Cards” that would be filled out for each neighbor who is need of help on some level. The volunteers continue to follow this procedure for each of their neighbors, then proceed to the HAM Operator located in their neighborhood. The HAM Operators then check in with CVAN Net Control. CVAN Net Control would report via radio communication to TARA Net Control, which is located in the Torrance Police Department. Using this method help can be dispersed sooner and more accurately to those in need. We were honored to have TARA Members open the Area Disaster Centers (specific parks and libraries) in and around the city of Torrance. Disaster Centers would be open to anyone who needs information or help, in the event of a disaster. During a drill, these centers are used as a location to report to, if a HAM Operator is not available in the neighborhood.

Help us out. We need more Neighborhood Volunteers, CERT Members, TARA and HAM Operators. Please tell your friends and neighbors to call us at

(310) 320-0311 or Email us at CVAN1339@sbcglobal.net

Be part of the Homeland Security Solution!

Ghislaine(Ges)Davis
CVAN Coordinator

Back to CVAN archive list.