Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have made the importance of emergency preparation front page news, just in time for National Preparedness Month, a national campaign to promote disaster response planning at all levels of the community.
“Carlsbad Fire has contributed to a regional effort to provide hurricane response and recovery support and has seen firsthand the value of emergency preparedness in the communities affected. Looking forward, we all should prepare for the start of our own wildland fire season here at home, which extends from September through the first big rains later this year,” said David Harrison, the city’s emergency preparedness manager.
“The city has taken steps to be prepared, but we need residents, schools, businesses and other organizations to prepare as well. When planning for emergencies, we encourage you to consider the specialized needs of seniors, those with medical conditions and kids.”
Two free resources are available to the community: an emergency preparedness guide and a handbook to help homeowners protect their properties from wildfires. Both are available on the website and at city libraries, community centers and fire stations.
What else can the community do to prepare?
Help with Prevention
Clear the area around your home or business so it is less prone to burn during wildfires
Don’t engage in any outdoor spark or flame producing activities during hot, high wind days or Santa Ana conditions
Plan Ahead
Make an emergency plan for your family or business
Create an emergency kit
Make a list of your “important stuff” and be ready to gather it up in a moment’s notice
Stay Connected
Register cell phones, home cable-phone systems and emails with Alert San Diego, the county’s free reverse 9-1-1 notification system
Download the free regional mobile app, “sdemergency,” available at your app store, to receive notifications from the County of San Diego during an emergency
Get Involved
Participate in Red Cross training: Trainings are offered every Tuesday evening in September from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Red Cross headquarters in San Diego; for more information, call 858-309-1200.
Become a CERT volunteer: Provide neighbor-helping-neighbor assistance before the arrival of Carlsbad firefighters, police or other first responders during emergencies
Attend the next Public Safety Open House: Attend the annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Safety Training Center for resources and tips to prepare for the next emergency and an opportunity to meet local first responders
How to stay informed during an emergency?
Check the City of Carlsbad website, www.carlsbadca.gov, for the most current information and any evacuation or shelter information during an emergency
Follow the City of Carlsbad on Facebook and Twitter to get information during an emergency affecting Carlsbad
Other information resources include:Local emergency radio stations: KOGO AM 600 or KLSD AM 1360
www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes
www.dot.ca.gov for road conditions and closures
Important phone numbers include:Emergency: 9-1-1
Electric or gas outages: 800-411-7343
Police (non-emergency): 760-931-2197
Fire Department (non-emergency): 760-931-2141
Regional information line: 2-1-1
For More Information
Visit the city’s website at www.carlsbadca.gov/fire, or call the City of Carlsbad Fire Department’s non-emergency line at 760-931-2141
City media contact
Susanne Bankhead, 760-434-2960, susanne.bankhead@carlsbadca.gov
