BY: EMILY FOXHALL

JUNE 5, 2014

The Newport Beach Fire Department conducted an urban search-and-rescue drill Thursday morning at a building on the future site of the Uptown Newport Village development.

The drill involved actions that would be taken if a building had collapsed during an earthquake.

Firefighters practiced breaking a hole through the concrete roof, descending using a rope system and retrieving a victim, Capt. Ron Gutierrez said.

The group also tested a search camera to refresh their skills.

“We want to take advantage of it as best we can,” Gutierrez said of the opportunity to use the building, where semiconductors used to be manufactured, before it is torn down.

Shopoff Realty Investments offered temporary use of the vacant industrial building, at 4311 Jamboree Road, in appreciation for “the dedication and sacrifices of our local firefighters and police,” Chief Executive William Shopoff said in a news release.

Construction of Upper Newport Village is already underway.

Link to the original article is here.