Manteca Trains 45 Volunteers to Lead Disaster Response

Ray Collado knows disasters aren't a matter of if, but when. That's why he leads Manteca's Community Emergency Response Team, a group of everyday citizens trained to help their city when crisis hits.

The volunteer team, organized under FEMA, provides crucial backup to emergency responders during major disasters. Manteca has faced two big ones in recent decades: 80 square miles flooded in 1997 when multiple levees failed, and a 58-car freight train carrying explosives derailed downtown in 1989.

Between 30 and 45 trains roll through Manteca daily on two rail lines. With over 1,100 train derailments happening across America each year, Collado told the Manteca Rotary that preparedness isn't paranoia. It's practical.

CERT volunteers complete 20 hours of initial training, then continue practicing with the Manteca Fire Department. They learn lifesaving skills, basic disaster medicine, light search and rescue, and firefighting. The training costs nothing.

The program brings residents together with city staff and firefighters to help themselves, their neighbors, and the community. Volunteers are educated about local hazards and equipped to respond when professional resources are stretched thin.

Manteca sits near four active earthquake faults mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey. The city also experienced an eight-hour blackout in 1996 that affected 4 million people during triple-digit heat. Without power for well pumps, water pressure became critical as residents tried to cool off.

The Ripple Effect

CERT's impact extends beyond emergency response. Collado encourages all residents to prepare their families for going days without water or electricity, whether they join the team or not. His message spreads awareness that transforms individual households into resilient community anchors.

The volunteers represent something bigger than disaster response. They're neighbors choosing to be ready, trained, and present when their community needs them most. While many assume catastrophe won't strike close to home, CERT members know preparation is the best form of hope.

The team continues seeking new volunteers who want to make a difference when it matters most.

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