Volunteers sought for disaster drill

Wahkiakum County's Department of Emergency Management is looking for volunteers willing to play victims and other roles in a day long drill next month.

Department Director Beau Renfro said the event would be a mass casualty incident emergency responder training.

"I am in the need of victims/role players," Renfro said. "Our victims are the most important part of this event!"

Here's what role players can expect:

Prior to this event they will be moulaged.

"This is the craft of making you look realistically injured," Renfro said. "We have several talented moulage artists that will make you look like you have any or all of the following: Broken bones, burns and gunshot wounds.

"We will also need some victims that are not moulaged or injured to play other important roles. You will need to wear a bathing suit under a set of clothing you are willing to donate to the event as they may/will be cut and or damaged from the moulage and treatment you may receive from the emergency responders.

"After you have received your wound you will be given a role player script with instructions on how you will need to behave once the event has begun. You will be expected to follow your script as the emergency responders respond to the event. This will include law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire, mental health professionals, and school district emergency response staff.

"There will be loud noises, yelling and a simulated fire\collapse situation. We are striving to have this event be as close to the real thing as possible.

"We will be providing lunch and dinner for volunteers as well as refreshments through the event.

"Several victims may get the opportunity to take a ride in a Life Flight helicopter."

All role players must be at least age 18.

The training is set for August 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be held at the Wahkiakum School District campus, 500 South 3rd Street, Cathlamet.

Participants should register online at https://wahkiakummci.eventbrite.com.