El Cajon Fire Department » Disaster Preparedness

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

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 – #2 – FULL – updated information for June 5th

May 22 – Disaster preparedness/CERT Organization

June 5 – Disaster Medical/ Triage – *Class at HTF, Classroom B

June 19 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue classroom – (two week break)

July 10 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue hands on – *At HTF

July 24 – Disaster Psychology/ Hazardous Materials/ Terrorism

August 7 – All inclusive manipulative review & graduation – *At HTF

Academy – #3 - Class – A few spaces available. 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 30 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.

*Since our next CERT academy is not until February of 2011 – 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
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.
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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.
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CERT Hazard Plans – How to handle: “Tsunamis”
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Additional Disaster Information: From Fed Health – FED HEALTH
Disaster Supplies: American Red Cross – American Red Cross – San Diego
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•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
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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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Fire Safe Your Home – Inside & Out

mzech — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:09:27 +0000

The vegetation surrounding a building or structure is fuel for a fire. Even the building or structure itself is considered fuel. Research and experience have shown that fuel reduction around a building or structure increases the probability of it surviving a wildfire.

Good defensible space allows firefighters to protect and save buildings or structures safely without facing unacceptable risk to their lives. Fuel reduction through vegetation management is the key to creating good defensible space.

The following link will connect you with some great information provide by the California Fire Safe Council:

http://www.firesafecouncil.org/education/attachments/getready.pdf

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

mzech — Sun, 23 May 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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Disaster Preparedness For Children

mzech — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:32:14 +0000

The following are list of disaster preparedness websites with information for children:

http://www.ready.gov/

http://www.fema.gov/kids/

http://www.ready.gov/kids/index.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=disaster+preparedness+for+kids&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=disaster+preparedness+for+&gs_rfai=

http://www.americanfamilysafety.com/emergency-preparedness/index.php?pagename=disaster-preparedness-children

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Check Here For The Latest Earthquake Activity

mzech — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:39:46 +0000

California/Nevada Earthquake Activity

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“Prepare San Diego” – Another Disaster Preparedness Web Site

mzech — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:45:32 +0000

Take a valuable moment to visit the new American Red Cross disaster preparedness web site. Just click on the following link to prepare you and your family for a disaster, such as an earthquake or fire: Prepare San Diego Take the quiz to see if you are truly prepared.

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Be Prepared – Become A Member of CERT!

Homeowners – U.C.Berkeley Website To Reduce Fire Hazards Around Your Home

mzech — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:32:23 +0000

Please check out the following website provided by U.C. Berkeley on educating the public about reducing their risk of fire.
Visit this website – it’s a Fire Information Engine Toolkit!
Wildfires affect communities around the world. This online toolkit provides interactive, science-based tools to help homeowners, decision-makers, and researchers better understand where wildfires occur and how to protect homes and neighborhoods, as well as get up-to-the-minute wildfire news.
Fire Toolkit for homewoners
The links below can be used by a variety of decision-makers — government agencies, planners, firefighters — to better understand community-level wildfire issues. Search interactive maps to learn more about wildfire risk in your community, and explore a science-based, parcel-level wildfire hazard assessment and ranking approach.
More Research Sites on Fire Safety
From the California Department of Forestry, now CA LFire another great website discussing defensible Space:
CAl Fire website

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Earthquake Activity – Are You Prepared? Disaster Preparedness Websites

mzech — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:51:23 +0000

The County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services has a family disaster plan booklet called a “Personal Survival Guide” available here online - click here to download their guide: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/docs/FamilyDisasterPlan.pdf - if you would like several copies for your group or community event please call the Office of Emergency Services (OES) at (858) 565-3490.

Disaster Preparedness websites at your fingertips…

From the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services – Ready San Diego – Earthquake Preparedness: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/family/

Available In Spanish:

http://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/cc_pubs.shtm

For Seniors: Disaster Preparedness – Get Ready Seniors!
And for Kids visit – Ready Kids
FEMA – For Kids Website – FEMA For Kids – click here

Avoiding Earthquake Damage – Homeowners Checklist
(6/20/08) – A disaster preparedness handbook from the Home Safety Council: Home Safety Council “new” Disaster Preparedness Handbook
From the American Red Cross visit – Red Cross Disaster Preparedness guide.
For more disaster preparedness for Seniors from the American Red Cross click here: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors.
It’s all about being prepared! Visit this great informative website covering numerous areas of safety & preparedness. www.prepare4.org
From Ready America!
Parents – Ready America For overall disaster preparedness for you and your family.

*You can alsDisaster Preparedness Information from Fireman’s Fund:
Fireman’s Fund

*Visit our Fire Station Open House on October 9th, 2010 – 10:00am to 2:00pm, at 100 E. Lexington to pick up valuable safety and disaster preparedness information.

If you’d like printed information, or would like to request a lecture on disaster preparedness please call Safety Educator Monica Zech at (619) 441-1737.

Be safe!

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Living With WILDFIRE – Homeowners Guide

mzech — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:51:58 +0000

The Burn Institute of San Diego County has created a guide for homeowners called “Living With WILDFIRE” – download a free copy of this guide by clicking here: Living With WILDFIRE

Learn about what creates wildfires, what fuels them, how to prepare for them, as well as tips on protecting your property, home and family against wildfires.

A joint project with the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association and the McCormick Foundation.

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Register For The Reverse 9-1-1 System

mzech — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:56:48 +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.