SLV MERC - Motorcycle Emergency Response Corps

MERC is the Motorcycle Emergency Response Corps. When the next big
regional disaster comes to the San Lorenzo Valley, be it an earthquake,
forest fire, or both, much of the infrastructure such as roadways, and
communications lines will be damaged, and unusable. MERC is program of
the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). MERC riders will be there
to overcome the obstacles, and establish communications, and help
facilitate disaster services in regions inaccessible to emergency
services that rely on open roadways such as fire and EMS services. MERC
will be there to get in quickly, and take care of the people who most
need the help, and cannot wait for roads to be repaired, and trees to be
removed.

San Francisco has a similar program already in place, you can visit
their web site at http://mercurysf.org/ SLV's program will be similar,
but tailored to fit the needs of the mountain communities.

If you are interested, COntact me, or come to the Mountain Community
resources meeting this Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Felton
Community Hall,

Here is a rough overview. Ultimately, your input, and contribution will
determine what SLV MERC becomes!

MERC riders perform the following services:
- Establish communications inremote areas (usually via HAM radio)
- Provide first response first aid
- Search and Rescue
- Disaster services such as triage, assessments, situation reporting,
and coordination.

What will you get out of participation in MERC?
- Opportunities to ride on and off road in places most people will never
get to see, for training, and in the event of a disaster. (Most of them
quite scenic and beautiful)
- Specialized training in disaster services work
- Pride in giving to the comminity, while doing activities you love.

MERC requirements:
- Must have your own motorcycle, dual purpose preferred, but not a must.
- Valid CA driver's license with motorcycle endorsement
- Willingness to attend training for CERT, and MERC.
- Able to commit to a miniumum of 2 special MERC training drills per
year. (On a weekend for a full day)

MERC training goals, what you will learn: (example, still TBD)
- CERT's basic training requirements
PLUS
- On and off road safe motorcycle skills, perhaps MSF training.
- Wildland fire safety instruction, fire behavior, use of portable fire
shelters (S-190 level)
- Incident Command System (ICS-100 level or better)
- HAM radio basic technician class license
- Search and rescue techniques

MERC activities

MERC will work with local government, police, sheriff, fire, park
services, and land owners to pre-plan, and investigate alternate routes
over emergency and fire access roads, and trails. MERC riders will join
these other services for training when possible, to patrol wilderness
and "urban interface zone" areas to ensure that in the event of a
disaster, MERC riders can get access to key places, quickly.

One goal of MERC is to ensure that every neighborhood has an
alternative way in and out, even if it is just a narrow trail. Merc
will also participate in ARES (AMateur Radio Emergency Services) events
by establishing communications points along ridge tops, and conducting
simulated disaster communications drills.