El Cajon Fire Department » Resources

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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Safe Driving Lectures

mzech — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:21:39 +0000

What does it take to be a safe driver?
Safe driving lectures are available upon request. Safety Educator Monica Zech provides safe driving lectures for company conferences and safety briefings, for civic groups, military bases, schools, driver education classes and traffic schools. Once you’ve seen Monica’s lecture you’ll be a more alert – safer driver. You’ll never view traffic the same way again!

Some quick tips to increase your chance of survival on our roadways:
When driving:

Follow traffic laws made for our safety!
Always make sure you and your passengers are always buckled-up for the ride!
Drive carefully, not aggressively – you’ll save lives and fuel.
Never drink alcoholic beverages and drive – please designate a sober driver before you celebrate.
No hand held cell phones and NO TEXTING behind the wheel – you’ll see why!
Be Informed – see the new traffic laws for 2010: http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/09-44.pdf
New laws in 2009: New Laws From CHP

There are other ways to reduce the risk factors of being involved in a collision – whether you’re driving or walking. If your group, classroom, company conference, company or military safety stand-down would like a life saving – eye opening lecture on “driving safety” please contact our Safety Educator “Monica Zech” at (619) 441-1737.

Visit Ms. Zech’s website at www.monicazech.com. She offers the emergency agency point of view of what they see responding to traffic collisions.

Some of the areas covered:

Driver alertness – reducing driver distractions – such as texting
Curbing stress & road rage behind the wheel
Aggressive Driving – the dangers of speed, red light running, rolling through stop signs etc.
Driving impaired - alcohol & other drugs, even being sleepy behind the wheel
Motorcycles – are they safe
Pedestrian safety

Her talks will change the way you drive and view traffic! Contact her at (619) 441-1737 or via email: monicazech@cox.net.

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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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Is Your Child’s Safety Car Seat Installed CORRECTLY?

lavonne — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:08:59 +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.
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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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Wildfire Awareness Brochure from OES

WEED/BRUSH Clearance Information & Report A Concern

lavonne — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:22:58 +0000

If you need help clearing brush or litter from your property give Fire Prevention Services a call. FPSI is a service that clears such fire hazards as “weeds, brush, litter, trash, rubbish etc.” Please call (619) 562-1058. Call this number if you’d like report fire hazards near your home! Or, check their web site at Fire Prevention Services Inc.
You can also report a weed abatement problem on line – go to: FPSI – Report On Line
Check out a new web site that helps homeowners reduce the fire hazards around their home: FIREWISE
If you have a large property, or have a large communty that needs brush clearing – contact “Environmental Land Management.” One of several methods they use to clear brush are “goats.” For more information visit their website: www.ElmGoats.com. It’s a service that provides hand crews, mastication machinery and goats to clear your brush, weeds and even trees. To speak with them directly, call (619) 234-4555 or email them at contact@elmgoats.com.
Also consider joining our new EAST COUNTY CERT Program! Click here to learn how you can better protect yourself, your family and your neighborhood!

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Safely Surrendered Baby Program

CPR Courses

lavonne — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 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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Information On Swine Flu & Prevention

mzech — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:14:36 +0000

For information on the Swine Flu and prevention measures, please check the the following links.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Swine Flu page

Current CDC figures about swine flu in the U.S.

Swine Influenza and You [PDF] – comprehensive information from the CDC on the disease and recommended precautions.

World Health organization: (Updates on outbreaks)

Or, feel free to contact 1-800-82-SHARP or go online to Sharp Health Care.

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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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MADD San Diego Chapter

mzech — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:12:19 +0000

MADD San Diego
MADD website
They have new offices – they are located at:
10731 Treena Street, Suite 100
San Diego, California 92131
Phone number is (858) 564-0780
Contact them for important information on the dangers of drinking and driving! Please designate before you celebrate!
Information regarding MADD’s VIP (Victim’s Impact Panel) please click on the following:
Victim’s Impact Panel

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Fire Extinguisher Training & Services

mzech — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:57:53 +0000

Do you need to train your staff on the use of fire extinguishers? For fire extinguisher service check the yellow pages – or click on one of the following links:
Fire Extinguisher Services:
El Cajon: Fire Extinguisher service in El Cajon
La Mesa: Fire Extiguisher service in La Mesa.
Santee: Fire Extinguisher service in Santee