From left, Liz Phillips, a member of the Community Emergency Response Team, helps mock disaster victim Stephanie Nelson, holding a stuffed dog, along with fellow team member Alex Norman during a training drill Tuesday.

Members of the Douglas County Community Emergency Response Team responded to a mock disaster in southeast Lawrence on Tuesday. The exercise was the culmination of their eight-week volunteer training program.

The group is made up of volunteers who are trained to assist emergency medical units during any disaster that requires a large-scale response.

“If we were to have some sort of major catastrophe here, we would have people in the community who could help out before the first responders come,” said Kate Dinneen, duty officer for Douglas County Emergency Management.

To kick off the exercise Tuesday evening, Dinneen ran out of the Fire Medical Station training building at 1941 Haskell Ave., screaming, “Help! We have an emergency in here.”

CERT volunteers immediately ran into the building to locate any survivors, move them to a safer area and treat minor medical injuries.

Their volunteer victims, with makeup applied to simulate burns, lacerations and gunshot wounds, were instructed to act traumatized by the mock disaster.

“When we do the moulage on it, it makes it look real,” Dinneen said of the makeup. “If they’re going to have an issue with dealing with blood, they find out in an easy way.”

Whether responding to a natural or man-made disaster, the CERT volunteers are trained to step in and help organize medical supplies, administer first aid and set up triage areas.

“This kind of group helps you know what to expect, how to prepare for it and how to best be able to assist neighbors and the rest of the community,” said CERT volunteer Paul Gottesburen, who had volunteered in Johnson County before moving to Lawrence. “What better way to help than be there when the community needs you in an emergency?”

Volunteer victim Stacy Simmons said CERT is a much needed support group for the county’s emergency management teams. “I think that law enforcement and Douglas County Fire and Medical aren’t going to be able to handle every situation that comes our way,” she said.

The volunteers hope they never have to put their skills into action, but they know preparation is essential for handling any major disaster.

“Everybody wants to help in an emergency,” Dinneen said, “but if you don’t know what to do … you can cause more harm.”