El Cajon Fire Department

Our 2010 El Cajon Fire “Safety & Career Expo” Is October 9th!

mzech — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:17:12 +0000

El Cajon Fire “Safety & Career Expo!”

Title Sponsor – Mission Federal Credit Union

Community Sponsors:

Viejas – Providing water for our volunteers!

Barona Band of Mission Indians!

Essex Sound – Providing sound equipment for our event!

(Check back for weekly updates!)

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2010

Location: 100 E. Lexington Avenue, El Cajon, California 92020

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Our annual event provides valuable safety, health and career information. This year we’ll especially highlight “disaster preparedness” information with materials from the Office of Emergency Services and the American Red Cross! It’s the perfect family event with free admission at this ”smoke free” event!

Noon Ceremony – Fire Chief Mike Scott – official welcome!

Francis Florendo is back singing the National Anthem – he’s an amazing 14 year-old singer!

Meet Miss El Cajon, Miss El Cajon Teen and the Miss Mother Goose Queen!

Event Highlights Planned To Date:

*Firefighters from Heartland Fire & Rescue from the City of El Cajon will be here!

*Officers from the El Cajon Police Department, including their SWAT Team will be here!

*The Kiwanis of East San Diego County will again be providing “free” safety helmets for children – while supplies last.

*The California Highway Patrol is back with safety car seat information and other valuable safe driving information.

KID’s Safety Zone:

*K-C The Safety Robot from Operation Pride is back from the U.S. Border Patrol!

*Coasty – the “Talking” Coast Guard Boat from the Coast Guard Auxiliary!

*CORE Self Defense – teaching children about self defense!

*Home Depot’s Kids Workshop!

*Fire Safety Inflatable House – Learn the importance smoke alarms and of having a home escape plans.

*El Cajon Police 9-1-1 For Kids! – When & how to call 9-1-1

*Mission Federal Credit Union – red fire hats & fire stickers

*Rapid Tatts – Face painting

Exhibits:

*See fire & police emergency vehicles!

*Borrego Community Health Foundation

*City of El Cajon Police Department – SWAT Display

*City of El Cajon Stormwater Display

*City of El Cajon Recreation Department

*East County Family Juctice Center – Preventing family and domestic violence

*Burn Institute - Burn prevention information

*RACE Legal – Racelegal.com – Race Track, Not Street

See our Disaster Preparedness section:

*Office of Emergency Service – register for the reserve 9-1-1 system

*American Red Cross – Disaster Preparedness Information

*East County CERT – Community Emergency Response Team

*East County Gazette Newspaper

*El Cajon Amateur Radio Club

*El Cajon Branch of the San Diego County Library

*Emergency Animal Rescue

*Helix Water District – Water Conservation Tips

*San Diego Gas & Electric - Energy Saving Tips & Safety Information

For Seniors:

*Aging & Independent Services

*AARP – Senior Programs

*Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center – with Senior health education

Career Section:

*Learn what it takes to become a firefighter or police officer!

*Learn more about our Firefighter Reserve program!

*EMSTA College – Learn what it takes to become a paramedic

*Southwestern College – Law Enforcement Programs

*If you provide valuable safety or health information, or would like to be a contributing sponsor or food sponsor - and would like to be a part of our Fire Expo – please contact event coordinator Monica Zech at (619) 441-1737 or email mzech@ci.el-cajon.ca.us or monicazech@cox.net.

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Register For The Reverse 9-1-1 System

mzech — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:56:48 +0000

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION System: Register your cell phone, home phone number and email addresses!

This system was a life saver for many of those evacuated during the October 2007 fires. Residents who live in San Diego County, which includes all 18 cities and the unincorporated areas of the County, are encouraged to register their cell phones and e-mail addresses for emergency notifications by visiting Ready San Diego:

Alert San Diego – “Get Signed Up. Get notified” -

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/signup.html

Once email addresses and cell phone numbers are registered, it will take up to 24 hours for that information to be updated into AlertSanDiego, the County of San Diego mass notification system that is commonly referred to Reverse 911.

AlertSanDiego will provide emergency alerts to your cell phone and e-mail address including evacuation notices. This is in addition to the land line calls received by those who have land line phones.
Residents are able to register multiple cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses by reopening the Web page. Residents without computers may access this Web site from one of the County libraries.

If a City resident has registered a cell phone number with the City of San Diego Reverse 9-1-1 system that information is automatically shared with the County cell phone registry. To register an e-mail address computer users must register with the County system.
Please note that while the County Mass Notification System is considered effective and efficient, you should not wait or rely exclusively on a call for evacuation directives. If you think you are in danger, you should evacuate immediately. If you are directed to evacuate by emergency personnel, you should follow their direction.

Remember for disaster evacuation centers or help please call “2-1-1″, or on your cell phone call “858-300-1211″

By the way, from time to time they are looking for help in the answering of phones. Please call Megan, at (858) 300-1240 if you’d like to volunteer your time.
They also have a website www.211SanDiego.org
Additional helpful websites:
Click on the following for freeway & street closures in the fire areas:
California Highway Patrol freeway information
If you’d still like to help others through your monetary donations:
To donate to the American Red Cross as they help those who have been evacuated:
American Red Cross
You can donate to the Salvation Army:
Salvation Army Scroll to the donations link on their opening page.

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Earthquakes: What You Can Do To Prepare & What To Do During An Earthquake

mzech — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:10:40 +0000

With all the earthquake activity we’ve been having “NOW” is the time to prepare yourself and your family. The following information can help!

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

Click on the following links for life saving information…

What to do during an earthquake:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

What you can do to “prepare” for an earthquake:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

Tracking earthquake activity:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/quakes_big.php

Be safe!

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CPR Courses

lavonne — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:52:59 +0000

At this time we do not offer CPR courses through the El Cajon Fire Department. But for a course offered near you, please refer to the yellow pages under “First Aid Instruction.”

I’ve listed a few here you can call:

*CPR Pros – check their website at:

http://www.cprpros.com/

*Grafic Health – low cost expert instruction at your home or place of business. CPR – AED – First Aid
Ph: (760) 918-9303
email – grafichealth@sbcglobal.net

* San Diego Project Heartbeat at (619) 243-0909 or 243-0911. CPR – AED – First Aid

*American Heart Association
3640 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
619-291-7454

* American Red Cross
First aid and CPR classes 619-542-7679
Main office, downtown San Diego 619-542-7400
North Coastal-Oceanside 760-757-5403
Camp Pendleton 760-725-3303
North Inland-Escondido 760-745-3221
East County-El Cajon 619-440-7813
South Bay – Chula Vista 619-422-5226
Coronado 619-435-4285
Imperial Valley-El Centro 760-352-4541

*AMR – American Medical Response – (858) 492-8111, for their CPR and First Aid Classes.

* Save-A-Life Educators – for CPR, AED and First Aid Training
Your contact is: Vicki L. Igou
SAVE-A-LIFE EDUCATORS, INC.
Call (619) 669-9911
SAVE A LIFE Educators

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Check Here For The Latest Earthquake Activity

mzech — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:39:46 +0000

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/list.php?n=sc

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Quick Action Douses Bank of America Fire – (See Video)

Is Your Child’s Safety Car Seat Installed CORRECTLY?

lavonne — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:08:59 +0000

Note: Remember, when buying a safety car seat you’re investing in your child’s safety & future!

*But not all car seats fit all cars. You may have to try out different models to fit your vehicle. In San Diego County many of the California Highway Patrol Offices have a designated officer to help install your car seat. Check the list below for the nearest office.

For some immediate help visit: www.carseat.org – great for recall information. Check it regularly for any changes or alerts.

and/or:

Pacific Safety Council

Or for safety car seat installations:

The Resources For Safety Carseat Installations…

(The following list is subject to change – please call ahead to schedule an appointment)
Here in San Diego County – to check and see if your carseat is installed correctly, “several people” have been trained to help install safety car seats to better protect your children. There are several resources to turn to for help.

Here are some of the Law Enforcement sources trained in Safety Car Seat installations – these are by appointment only: Not all car seats are used correctly. Did you know that you can have a trained technician check and show you how to install your child’s car seat?

By appointment:
By appointment:
CHP Offices -
El Cajon CHP – 619-401-2000 – Officer Brian Pennings
Pacific Highway CHP 619-220-5492
Oceanside CHP 760-757-1675
Temecula CHP 951-506-2000
Lemon Grove Sheriff 619-337-2000
Escondido Police 760-839-4707
Encinitas Sheriff 760-966-3587
Bonita Fire Department 619-479-2346
Solana Beach Fire Department 858-720-4411
Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department 858-756-5971
Saturday Events:
Safe Kids San Diego 858-576-1700 x 5096
www.rchsd.org
Services for a fee:
Pacific Safety Council 858-621-2313 x116
www.safetycouncilonline.com
La Mesa Police 619-667-1400
Car Seat Safe 619-379-7980
carseatsafe@cox.net
Absolute Safety 619-925-1628
Services for a fee:

***************************************************************************
Additional Information:
Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Sub Station
3240 Main Street
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 337-2000

Escondido Police Department
700 West Grand Avenue
Escondido, Ca. 92025
For A Child Car Seat Inspection Call – 760-839-4707

*Additional resources that can help:

San Diego Safe Kids Coalition will check car seats and the number to reach a tech is 858-576-1700 x5096.
Please visit www.safetycouncilonline.com for once a month car seat check up events at local retail stores throughout the community.
Or, if you still have questions? Please contact:
The EXPERT In Safety Car Seats In San Diego!
Louise Nichols
Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor
Ride Safer Now!
858-673-1216 – home office voice
858-673-4473 – home office fax
louisersn@aol.com
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Are you and your family riding safely? Are you buying a new vehicle? Please check this Web Site first: www.safercar.gov it’s from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This site includes crash tests and roll-over ratings, defects and recalls, and FAQs about air bags (including side air bags). Check this site regularly!
My question – “Are you and your family buckled up safely???”

Call the Safety Car Seat information from Rady’s Children’s Hospital – the San Diego Safe Kids Coalition hotline at 858-576-1700, ext-5096, this is a recorded message with all of the locations that one can go to have their seats checked for proper installation. It lists all the locations that are current and active.
Or write:
Safety Belt Safe U.S.A
PO BOx 552
Altadena, CA 91003
Or call: 310-222-6860
Call the Pacific Safety Council at (858) 621-2313 ext. 15, or ex. 16 or call 858-573-5089. Otherwise NHTSA’s website www.nhtsa.dot.gov has an option to search by city or zip code to locate the closest fitting station.

Check this next site often for recalls or possible problems with safety car seats:
Recalls On Products? As your family begins to use items received as holiday gifts, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign encourages you to visit www.recalls.gov to keep up with all the latest product recalls.
First – know the Law!!!
Children 6 years old or 60 pounds must be in a child passenger safety seat.
Infants should ride in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, until they are 12 months old and weigh 20 pounds. Children, who are at least 1 year old, weigh 20 to 40 pounds, and can no longer ride rear-facing should ride in forward-facing child safety seats.
Children over 40 pounds should be correctly secured in belt-positioning boosters or other appropriate child restraints or safety car seat until the adult lap and shoulder belts fit correctly (usually around age 8). Once the vehicle safety belts fit children, both lap and shoulder belts should be correctly used.
All children ages 12 and under should always be properly restrained in the back seat every time, no matter how short the trip.
All safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. READ YOUR MANUALS! You will be surprised at the information that is available to you.

Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (800) 638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov, to inquire about any recalls or safety notices on child safety seats. When you purchase a new safety seat, return the product registration form provided to the manufacturer to ensure that you will be notified of any recalls.

Fines? Legislation (AB 1625), authored by Assemblyman John Benoit, allows penalty assessments and court costs to be added on top of a base fine. In essence, what previously cost $22.50 on a first offense will now run more than three times that amount. Drivers will also face penalties if passengers are not safely buckled.
There are several exemptions, including cases where:
*There are other children in the back seat
*A restraint system cannot properly be installed
*There is no rear seat
*The rear seat is rear-facing or side-facing
Infants less than one year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds must ride in the back, no exceptions, if there is an active passenger air bag in the front seat. A first offense is punishable by a fine of $100; second offenses will cost $250 (Vehicle Code: section 27360.5). Remember – the life of your child is priceless!

It’s simple – “Buckle-UP – it’s a snap!!!” Research shows if you buckle-up your children will buckle-up! As emergency agencies, almost daily we see how wearing a seat restraint increases your chances of survival in a car collision. It’s being prepared for the “un-expected”! And it’s the LAW! A law that’s saving lives! Possibly your life or that of a love one.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would like to take this opportunity to remind pediatricians and parents of the AAP recommendations for safe transportation of children.
Infants should ride in rear-facing child safety seats until they have reached both 20 pounds AND one year of age. The AAP recommends keeping children rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. Never place a rear-facing car safety seat in front of an air bag.
Children who have outgrown their rear-facing seats should ride in forward-facing car safety seats for as long as the child fits well (eg, ears below the top of the back of the seat and shoulders below the seat strap slots).
Children who have outgrown their child safety seats but are too small to wear seat belts properly should ride in booster seats. For more information about safe transportation of children who have outgrown their car safety seats, please see the February 5, 1999 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Seat belts fit properly when they can be worn with the lap portion of the belt low and tight across the hips, and the shoulder portion across the shoulders without cutting across the face and neck.
Remember that all children are safest in the back seat.
Additional Contact Information:
The Pacific Safety Council
9880 Via Pasar #F
San Diego, CA 92126
Or call directly: (888) 846-4200- toll-free
(858) 689-0040 Fax

For immediate information to help on safety carseat installations, scroll down to “The Resources”… following this are the laws and general information regarding safety carseats.

Note: As a parent – are you always buckled up correctly? If you wear your seat belt – so will your child! But, is your child’s safety car seat installed correctly?
Unfortunately studies show over 90% of the safety car seats in use are not installed correctly! So the fatality rate is very high for children involved in car collisions.

When buying a new safety car seat “always” send in the warranty cards in case of recalls. Don’t scrimp on your child’s safety – never buy a car seat from a garage sale or thrift store, or as a hand me down from a friend.
-0-
Facts about Safety Seats:
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injuries and death for children. When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce fatal injuries in cars by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for children from age 1-4.
More than 97 percent of child safety seats are NOT used correctly.
Safety Seat Guide
Infants must ride in rear-facing (facing toward the back of the car) safety seats until they are at least 1 year AND weigh 20 pounds.
Toddlers that are over 1 year and over 20 pounds should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat.
Young children that are over 40-60 pounds should ride in a forward-facing, belt positioning booster seat.
The best place to put your child is in the back seat of your car. All children age 12 and under should ALWAYS ride in the back seat.
From Buckle Up San Diego – When going to a Child Safety Seat Checkup:
Your child is precious cargo! Custom safety seat checks are very thorough and require time. Trained checkers teams require a minimum of 30-45 minutes per seat. We suggest that you come early and be prepared for a wait. We distribute numbers when you check in due to the time required. Plan to let us know how many seats and children you want checked. Many children arrive in seat belts that should be in belt positioning boosters. We will provide guidance on correct fit criteria for children who have outgrown child safety seats.
When you come to a checkup, please bring your safety seat instruction booklet and the vehicle owners’ manual if possible.
*Not every child safety seat is appropriate for every child, works correctly in every vehicle or seating position or with the many types of seat belts and retractors.
Basic information about correct installation and use of child safety seats including boosters, seat belts, air bags and more can be sent to you, if you provide some important information. Every situation, child, vehicle, belt system are different so we need to know the following:
Your name (spell it please if calling)
Mailing address
Age and weight of all children involved
Due date if pregnant
From each car seat/booster: Manufacturer name, model name, mftr model number, mftr date. The mftr model number and mftr date are found on a stamped sticker on the back, bottom, or side of each car seat.
Vehicle make, model, year, 2 or 4 door, air bags…driver/passenger/side-impact.

Remember to provide all the necessary information. These details can make a difference in your child’s life!!! Don’t forget to always wear your seat belt and be a good safety role model for your children…in everything you do.

Sadly – An example of what can happen if you or your child is not buckled up or buckled up correctly:
Holiday Highway Crash -

From – 7/5/2004 7:27:02 PM
An unrestrained baby boy who was thrown from an SUV in a crash in Chula Vista died Monday, and his aunt, also ejected from the vehicle, was hospitalized, along with the boy’s sister and mother, who were also injured in the accident.
The crash on northbound Interstate 805, south of state Route 54, happened just before 8 last night, California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Gregg said.
The family members, from Inglewood, were headed home from the Tijuana Airport, where they picked up a family member, Gregg said. The driver drifted off the road, over-corrected and lost control of the 2003 Ford Expedition, he said.
“All I remember was the car zig-zagging,” said Esmeralda Ramos, 26, who suffered a broken arm in the crash.
Her baby, four-month-old Wilbert Ramos died at Children’s Hospital about 1:25 a.m., medical examiner Investigator Michael Ellano said.
He and his mother were sitting in the middle row of the SUV, he said.
Ramos said the child was restrained in a car seat, which she said was tied down.
Ramos said she had to be extricated from the SUV.
“My head hurts and my hands and I feel very tired and sleepy,” Ramos said in a telephone interview.
Ramos’ daughter — five-year-old Valerie — broke both her legs in the crash and was taken to Children’s Hospital, Ramos said.
“They told me she’s being released today,” Ramos said from her hospital bed.
“She’s coming to see me before she goes home,” Ramos added.
Ramos’ sister, Maritza Felix, 27, was thrown out the back window, said Ramos.
Felix suffered a broken shoulder and had internal bleeding, according to Ramos.
Felix was listed in fair condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
The other passengers in the vehicle suffered minor to moderate injuries, Gregg said. Alcohol was not suspected in the crash, he said.
The family was headed to pick up Felix’s mother-in-law, Ramos said

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Your Deputy Fire Chiefs For Heartland Fire & Rescue

lavonne — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:54:06 +0000

From left to right – For the City of El Cajon, Rick Sitta; for the City of Lemon Grove, Tim Smith; and for the City of La Mesa, Greg McAlpine. Overseeing the three cities is Fire Chief Mike Scott.

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Cool Zone & Heat Safety Tips!

mzech — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:58:43 +0000

It’s summer and hot! Stay cool! Stay hydrated & safe. To help you stay cool and keep your energy costs down, the County is offering “Cool Zones” – click on the following link:

http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/hhsa/programs/ais/documents/coolzones.pdf

For tips on heat safety, here’s some great information from the American Red Cross:
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=a69ff6c5fd47b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

When driving, running errands - NEVER leave your baby/child, the elderly, or your dog in your vehicle – not even for a moment - that could easily turn into a FATAL mistake. Temperatures in a vehicle can rise in a matter of seconds. If you see that someone has left a baby/child, an elderly person or a pet alone in a vehicle – call 9-1-1!

Stay hydrated – drink plenty of WATER – stay away from caffeine like tea and coffee drinks, and most of all alcohol, these drinks “dehyrate” the body and can be dangerous. Take cool showers if you are at home to cool down. Make sure your pets have cool shade areas and plenty of water as well. Be safe!

Thank you!

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Single Story Home Destroyed By Early Morning Fire

lavonne — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:37:27 +0000

Shortly after 7:00 a.m. Monday morning, Heartland Fire Dispatch received numerous calls of a
structure fire in the 1000 block of Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. As Heartland Fire and Rescue
crews from the City of El Cajon arrived on scene they found the attached garage of the home
fully involved in flames and spreading into the home. A 1st Alarm call was issued. With four
engines, one truck and about fifteen firefighters on scene, including a crew from the San Miguel Fire
Protection District, the fire was out in less than 10 minutes. Quick action by responders kept the
fire from spreading to nearby apartments.

A man and his two dogs were home at the time of the blaze and were able to escape unharmed.
The single story home is considered a total loss. Damage to the home, its contents, and a
vehicle parked in front of the garage, is estimated at $350,000. There were no injuries, and the
Red Cross will be assisting the two residents of the home. The cause of the fire is now under
investigation.

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Be Prepared – Become A Member of CERT!

mzech — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:34:49 +0000

Are you prepared for a disaster? Earthquake or firestorm? Consider attending a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) academy.

Note: Due to a tremendous response, our two East County CERT academies for 2010 are now full – thank you!

Or, click here for more on the CERT program:

https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

Check with the San Diego Office of Emergency services for more CERT programs around the county. Click on the following link:

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/community/oes_jl_CERT.html

A new Teen CERT program is being offered:

If you are interested in this training, the City of Julian will be providing this class as an ongoing program. This is an excellent opportunity to provide your community with trainers for the CERT/TEEN CERT program. We are excited to assist in any way we can. Contact Johhny and Diane Hake, CERT/TEEN CERT Julian/Cuyamaca at (760) 310-0976 or at (760) 310-0206.

The American Red Cross also offer free training. Click on the following link:

http://www.sdarc.org

Here is the schedule for those who are officially registered for the following 2010 East County CERT classes:

2010 East County CERT Schedule

Academy – #1 & #2 - Completed

Academy – #3 - Class – A few spaces left. Call (619) 441-1737 to register.

September 11 – Disaster preparedness/CERT Organization

September 25 – Disaster Medical/ Triage

October 9 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue – classroom

October 23 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue hands on – *At HTF

November 6 – Disaster Psychology/Hazardous Materials/Terrorism

November 20 – All inclusive manipulative review & graduation – *At HTF

These classes are held on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Class location for “registered” CERT students is at the Fire Administration offices at 8054 Allison Avenue, in La Mesa. *The HTF location is 1301 N. Marshal in El Cajon for the hands-on training.

If you would like to place your name on a waiting list please call (619) 441-1737. Please leave your name and best contact phone number. Check this website for disaster preparedness information to prepare now!

*Classes are limited to 35 participants per academy, ages 16 and up. Please, for safety concerns, we ask you do not bring babies or children to these classes. Any classes missed may be made up during the following academy. Classes are taught by members of Heartland Fire & Rescue, and Santee Fire Departments.

Read on for more information on what to bring to these “free” disaster preparedness training classes.

East County CERT Academies are six (6) classes, every other week for twelve (12) weeks.
For the first class please bring your own 1-1/2″ binder to the class for your CERT manual.
Dress casually – certain classes may get you a little dirty – we’ll let you know which. Please, always wear sturdy shoes or wear tennis shoes – NO opened toed shoes, flip-flops or sandals please. Please bring a pair for good work gloves and please bring your own snacks/food & beverages. (like coffee, juice or water)
We’d like to limit our classes to about 35 per academy, it’s for ages 16 and up – non residents are welcome. Please, for safety concerns, we ask you do not bring babies or children to our classes. Any classes missed may be made up during the following academy.
Our classes are taught by members of the El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee Fire Departments.
Please Note – our classes have been in big demand and are open to those serious about being prepared for a disaster, so if you register – please show up. If you have registered for a class and find you cannot make it please call so someone else can take your place – thank you.

*When academies are full, please check with the local American Red Cross, they also offer “free” disaster preparedness classes.

Learn how to better protect yourself and your family. These classes are free - but what you’ll learn is priceless!

There are several other CERT programs available in the county! Click here – CERT Council for a complete list of other CERT programs.
A Teen CERT program is being offered. For information please call (760) 310-0976 or 0206.

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, a disaster preparedness class. Until you can take one of our academies please take a look at the disaster preparedness section of this website for valuable links on disaster preparedness.

For other CERT Program locations in San Diego County visit San Diego County CERT Programs

If you would like disaster preparedness information now – please visit 72hours.org or www.alertsandiego.org
Most recent earthquake activity? Click here: http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/quakes0.htm

What is CERT? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and the hazards that may impact the area they live. These FREE CERT lessons will train you in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training taught in the classroom and during drill exercises, CERT members will be better prepared to also assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following a disaster or other unexpected event when professional responders are not immediately available.
*************************************************************************************************
Additional CERT Academies:
• Other CERT programs in the East County: The San Miguel Fire Department now have a CERT program in the Rancho San Diego area recently – you can call them at (619) 670-0500 for more information. There is another CERT program in Lakeside at (619) 390-2350.
****************************************************************
CERT Hazard Plans – How to handle: “Tsunamis”
*****************************************************************
Additional Disaster Information: From Fed Health – FED HEALTH
Disaster Supplies: American Red Cross – American Red Cross – San Diego
*****************************************************************
•Congratulations CERT Team Members for a great Earthquake Drill held June 19th at New Frontier Mobile Home Community – See the article in the Union Tribune: East County CERT Holds Earthquake Drill June 19th, 2004
*****************************************************************
CERT is an excellent opportunity to learn many important life saving skills to better protect yourself, your family and your neighbors in the event of most disasters. This translates into saved lives and less panic.
CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, during a disaster, the number and scope of incidents can overwhelm conventional emergency services. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. This valuable course is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and your neighborhood in an emergency situation.

Check the CERT Homepage from FEMA:
CERT Homepage
Take a look at the Los Angeles CERT Program:
www.cert-la.com

Other CERT Programs:

CERT San Diego Program Manager
(619) 533-3075
(program)CERT@sandiego.gov
Fax:(619) 544-9351
Lakeside Fire now has a CERT program, for more information call 619-390-2350, ext. 304. Leave a message and they’ll call you back.
For Coronado Fire’s CERT program please call them at 619-522-7374.Frequently Asked Questions About CERT

What Is CERT?
(CERT) The Community Emergency Response Team program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. When emergencies happen, CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.
The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT Train-the-Trainer course conducted by their state training office for emergency management, or FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI), located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, and light search and rescue operations.
Over the next two years, the CERT program aims to double the number of participants, with over 400,000 individuals completing the 20 plus hours of training. Train-the-Trainer sessions will be held in all 56 states and territories over the next year to expand the program throughout the United States.

Q: Why take the CERT training?
A: Local government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there are emergencies and disaster that can overwhelm the community immediate response capability. While adjacent jurisdictions, State and Federal resources can activate to help, there may be a delay for them getting to those who need help. The primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making and physical skills to offer immediate assistance to family members, neighbors, and associates. While people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the CERT program is to help them do so effectively and efficiently without placing themselves in unnecessary danger.

A success story about CERTs comes during the wildfires in Florida. The Edgewater CERT helped emergency management and the fire department by assisting with evacuations, handling donations, preparing food for firefighters, and answering the phone while the professionals were fighting the fire. It is a great example of CERT members and response personnel working together for the benefit of the community.

Q: How do CERT members maintain their skills?
A: CERT members and the sponsor work together to maintain team skills. It is suggested that the sponsor conduct refresher classes and an annual exercise where all CERT members are invited to participate. Some response agencies have conducted joint exercises with CERT team and operate as they would during an actual disaster. The last point does bring up a lesson learned. Besides training CERT members, it is also important to train members of response agencies about CERTs, the skills that teams have and the role that they will have during a major disaster. One way to develop this trust is by encouraging agency personnel to participate in classes as instructors and coaches and activities involving CERTs.

Understanding that CERTs may operate independently following a disaster. CERTs can practice this independence by taking some responsibility for their training. Teams can design activities and exercises for themselves and with other teams. Some members can be rescuers, some victims, and some evaluators. After the event, there can be a social so that teams get to know each other
Q: What if I want to do more than just the basic training?
A: CERT members may attend classes provided by the community agencies on animal care, special needs concerns, debris removal, utilities control, advanced first aid, Automatic External Defibrillator use, CPR skills, and others.

CERT members are a potential volunteer pool for the community. They can help with special projects like distributing preparedness material, staffing medical booths during special events, and assisting with installation of smoke alarms for seniors or special needs households. Some CERT members have sought additional training opportunities in shelter management, community relations, and donations management.

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