Ready San Diego Blog

COUNTY ONE OF FIRST IN STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN DISASTER CORPS

New Program Will Provide Highly-Trained

Volunteers During Disasters

The County Office of Emergency Services has been selected by the state to participate in Disaster Corps, a program to standardize and coordinate highly-trained volunteers that will be able to respond to disasters across the state.

“The concept behind this program started after the 2007 wildfires that impacted our county and the rest of Southern California. The state recognized the invaluable role that volunteers played and created a formal program to incorporate volunteers into the state emergency plan,” said Ron Lane, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services.

The County of San Diego is among five founding members of Disaster Corps that will receive $1.15 million in federal homeland security funding through CaliforniaVolunteers, the state office that coordinates volunteer activities related to disaster response and recovery. The other recipients are Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Francisco counties.

Disaster Corps volunteers will be registered by their local government organization and will meet Disaster Corps training, typing, certification and security screening guidelines, allowing the volunteers to respond to any disaster in the state.

The funds will be used for the initial implementation of the program, which will support training and credentialing for 1,000 members as well as a volunteer coordinator in each of the five counties.

For more information about disaster preparedness in San Diego County, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org.

REGISTER FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS AND CHANCE TO WIN PIZZA

Be One of First 500 To Sign Up for AlertSanDiego in June

and Win Free Papa John’s Pizza

Registering your cell phone and your family member’s cell phones with AlertSanDiego is a quick and simple way to ensure that you’re informed in the event of an emergency. During June, Papa John’s Pizza is once again teaming up with the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services to provide a tasty incentive for new registrants who sign up for emergency alerts. 

In February and April, Papa John’s Pizza gave away free medium, one-topping pizzas to the first 500 San Diego County residents to sign up for AlertSanDiego, the County’s free emergency notification service. They also offered discount coupons to everyone else who registered.

“As we approach peak fire season, everyone can prepare. Sign up for alerts about emergencies impacting your community, even if you are away from home when the call comes to you,” said Ron Lane, director of the County Office of Emergency Services.

“Papa John’s wants to help raise awareness for preparedness in the communities where we live and serve. We want to encourage our employees, customers and everyone to take steps to be ready in the event of an emergency. Registering for the AlertSanDiego service could save lives,” said Mike Arnold, director of store operations for Papa John’s Pizza of San Diego.

In February and April, more than 5,800 people signed up for AlertSanDiego to receive emergency notifications on their cell phones, Voice over IP (VoIP) or e-mail.  AlertSanDiego sends telephone alerts directly to residents’ cell phones during an emergency, utilizing the Reverse 911 system. All listed and unlisted home and business telephone numbers in affected areas are automatically called, but cell phone registration is crucial for the growing number of families in the county who rely solely on cell phones for primary phone service.

Register for AlertSanDiego at www.ReadySanDiego.com.

 

TERRORISM DRILL TESTS REGION’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE

 
Local Agencies Respond to Mock Dirty Bomb Explosion for Golden Guardian 2010

The County of San Diego and various city and local agencies responded to simulated acts of terrorism across the County May 18 as part of the Golden Guardian 2010 statewide disaster preparedness exercise. 

“Since 9/11, our region has developed and refined terrorism response plans, conducted training, and purchased equipment to better prepare us in the event of an attack. Today’s exercise is the culmination of those efforts and validates the preparedness of every agency involved in the exercise. The exercise also provided agencies in our region with the opportunity to work together in coordination for a disaster. We will incorporate the lessons learned from this exercise into our future planning and training,” said Ron Lane, Director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services on Tuesday.

In the events on May 18, first responders and emergency managers coordinated a vast multi-agency response to a scenario in which terrorists detonated a dirty bomb in the city of San Marcos.  As part of the disaster exercise, hazardous material teams, law enforcement, fire services, and the region’s Metropolitan Medical Strike Team assisted with decontamination of a radiological incident and medical treatment of mock patients in the field. Area hospitals and clinics were also involved to test their ability to respond to a mass casualty incident involving trauma, burn and radiation exposure and detection.

County agencies including the Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Environmental Health, Health and Human Services, and the Office of Emergency Services participated in the exercise.  The exercise also included participation from all 18 cities, six state agencies, six federal agencies, 27 hospitals and clinics, and several non-government and private sector organizations such as the American Red Cross, San Diego Gas & Electric, California State University San Marcos and 2-1-1.

For video of the events at Cal State San Marcos, see County Television New's coverage here http://bit.ly/awdxDQ.

Learn What To Do For A Tsunami

As part of Tsunami Awareness Week, residents are encouraged to learn how to respond in the event of a tsunami off any coast including San Diego.

While historically, San Diego has not experienced a devastating tsunami after a strong earthquake such as Chile and America Samoa, it is still important for residents to learn how to recognize the signs of a tsunami and know what to do.

A tsunami is a series of fast-moving, powerful ocean waves that can cause a rapid innundation of low-lying coastal areas. The waves can result in damage or, in severe cases, sweep people away, and destroy buildings and cars. The tsunami is usually the result of a strong far-source or offshore earthquake, but it could also be caused by an offshore landslide.

You do not need to wait for an official warning to react, if you are on or near the coast and feel a strong earthquake that shakes for 20 seconds or longer, or if you're at the beach and see water start to recede from the shore suddenly. If this happens, you should immediately move inland at least a mile, and head for higher ground. If you are warned or advised to stay out of the water and off the beaches for safety purposes, please listen to authorities.  

For more information on tsunamis, visit www.readysandiego.org, or review these brochures at http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/docs/Tsunami_Risk_San_Diego_2005.pdf or http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/tsunamiready/resources/Tsmi_Brochure10.pdf.

Free Pizza for New AlertSanDiego Registrants

Papa John’s Pizza and County OES Offer Special Incentive For First 500 To Sign Up

The County Office of Emergency Services in partnership with Papa John’s Pizza encourages residents to sign up to receive emergency notifications on their cell phone with the County’s AlertSanDiego system. As an incentive for residents to register their cell phones for emergency updates, Papa John’s Pizza will offer the first 500 new registrants a free medium, one-topping pizza.

“Collectively our goal is to motivate residents to prepare for an emergency before one occurs. By being informed, residents can make the right decisions for the safety of their family in an emergency. We greatly appreciate Papa John’s Pizza commitment in assisting us to reach more families in our communities by offering special incentives to those that register for AlertSanDiego,” said Ron Lane, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

AlertSanDiego, the County’s emergency notification system sends telephone alerts to residents and businesses being impacted by an emergency in San Diego County. The system utilizes the Reverse 911 system which automatically includes all listed and unlisted home and business telephone numbers, but does not include cell phones. By registering your cell phone, residents will be able to receive critical information about their community, even if they are away.

“Helping to keep San Diego residents safe is important to us because that’s who our customers and employees are, and we believe in being a community partner, “ said Mike Arnold, director of store operations for Papa John’s Pizza.

In addition to the free-pizza card for the first 500 people who sign up, all registrants will be able to print out an exclusive Papa John’s AlertSanDiego special offer coupon through the month of February.

Special thanks to Twenty First Century Communications, our vendor for AlertSanDiego, for facilitating this online promotion.

Are you Ready? Register for AlertSanDiego at www.ReadySanDiego.com.

Winter Storm Preparation & Safety Tips

As another storm moves into San Diego County, the Office of Emergency Services is reminding residents to prepare before the next storm by assembling an emergency supply kit for your home, workplace and vehicle in the event of an evacuation or power outage. Remember to store at least a 3-day supply of water, at least one gallon of water per person, per day. Store sandbags, plastic sheeting, lumber or plywood to protect your home if needed. Fill up your vehicle's gas tank because a power outage could make gas pumps inopearable. Identify safe routes from your home or work place to high, safe ground.

If approaching a flooded area, intersection, creek or riverbed, do NOT drive or walk through moving water. Over the past several days, San Diego Swiftwater Rescue teams have had to rescue many residents and motorists who have not heeded the warnings. A car can float in three inches of water and six inches of water can knock down and sweep an adult away. Floodwater is dangerous, fast-moving, often toxic and can carry debris such as glass or sharp items.

If local authorities order an evacuation for your community, residents are advised to be prepared to move to a safe area before flood waters cut off access. If asked to evacuate, relocate valuables from lower to upper floors or attempt to elevate them as much as possible.  Residents should also disconnect all electrical appliances or turn off electric circuits at the fuse panel or circuit breaker panel before leaving.

Listen to the radio or watch television for information or instructions. For more information on winter storm and flooding preparation, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org and click on the Flooding icon. County road closures can be found at on the County Department of Public Works Twitter page.

Emergency Preparedness for Theatergoers

The American Red Cross of San Diego-Imperial Counties, the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services and 2-1-1 San Diego, the region's primary sources for community, health and disaster information, have joined together for a special emergency preparedness information session at the theater. The session will begin at 6 p.m., an hour prior to the 7 p.m. Jan. 13 performance the San Diego Repertory Theatre's "boom" in the Lyceum Space in downtown Horton Plaza. In the comedy, the main character is certain that the earth is about to be destroyed by a comet. So, if a comet hit the Earth tomorrow would you be prepared enough to survive? Hear from the experts about disaster risks in San Diego County, how to develop an emergency plan, what to include in an emergency kit, and how to stay informed in a disaster.

Resolve To Be Ready in 2010

Start New Year Off Right by Updating Family/Individual Disaster Plans

    “Resolve to be Ready” in 2010 for any emergency by having an emergency supply kit and a plan prepared in advance for your household. “Resolve to be Ready” is a Department of Homeland Security campaign to encourage communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the New Year.

“Personal preparedness is the public’s best protection if a disaster occurs. In order to ensure resiliency in our community, we have to encourage every resident to take steps in their own households to minimize negative impacts,” said Ron Lane, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services.

    Residents can take three simple steps to be better prepared in the New Year: 1) Make an emergency supply kit; 2) Make a family disaster plan; and 3) Become informed about the hazards that could affect your community and learn the appropriate responses.

    By storing an emergency supply kit at home, your vehicles and in your workplace, you will be starting the year off prepared. Emergency supply kits should include basic necessities such as water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies and flashlights. Vehicle kits should also include blankets, road flares and tools that could assist you if you became stranded.     

    For a complete list of emergency supplies and to download a free Family Disaster Plan and Survival Guide, please visit www.ReadySanDiego.org,  www.ready.gov, or the Spanish language Web site www.listo.gov.

ReadySanDiego Spotlights Business Alliance Connection

The ReadySanDiego team would like to share its first edition of the Business Alliance Connection newsletter in this link. The purpose of the newsletter is connect San Diego businesses to help our communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

The quarterly newsletter will help keep current and future Business Alliance members up to date on the latest news such as the formation of our Business Alliance Advisory Council, events and resources from ReadySanDiego and the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services.  

To learn more about the Business Alliance or become a member, contact the Ready San Diego team at readysd.business@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 565-3490.

Heads Up For Disaster Readiness Billboard Campaign

 Allstate Foundation-Sponsored Signs Urge Residents to Prepare by Visiting County Website

The billboard features the words, "You can’t predict, but you can prepare" against a dramatic image of a firefighter emerging from a smoky wildland area. Many San Diego County residents learned this lesson firsthand in 2003 and 2007. The outdoor public service campaign was made possible through an $80,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation and employed by the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services to prepare residents against wildfires and other emergencies.

    "Allstate and the Allstate Foundation have been strong partners in supporting the County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Day and producing public service announcements that are currently broadcast on local television," said Ron Lane, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.

Eleven billboards have been placed along local freeways in the County with the goal of reaching more residents with the public service announcement.

    "Allstate cares about our communities, and the information provided in all this public outreach will serve as an important reminder that emergencies do happen. Each of us can prepare in order to protect ourselves and our families," said Phil Telgenhoff, Allstate Assistant Field Vice President for California.

Don’t let a wildfire or other emergency catch you unprepared. Learn what you can do to lessen your risks for various hazards, including having a disaster plan for your family and signing up to receive emergency notifications on your cell phone by visiting  www.ReadySanDiego.org.