Preparedness

San Diego County residents know that it is not a question of if, but when the next disaster will hit our region. This is a compelling reason to prepare ourselves, families, homes, businesses and neighborhoods for the next big wildfire, earthquake, or other disaster.

Volunteer San Diego encourages you to review the information and links below to build up your knowledge and training as well as your disaster supplies, and to share what you learn with your friends and colleagues.

Be Prepared

Register for Alerts
 

Enter your cell phone, VoIP line, or email address in the AlertSanDiego database. Landlines are already set up to receive "reverse 911" calls in the case of evacuation orders or other important notifications during a disaster. If you rely primarily on a cell phone or VoIP line, register now. The information in the database will be used to call your phone only if the address you enter is affected by an emergency or disaster.

Make a Plan and Assemble a Kit

The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services has developed a Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide to get you started with the personal preparedness process. Designating places for family members to meet in case of an emergency, establishing an out of area contact for disaster, and knowing where and how to shut of utilities are just a few of the considerations in preparing your family for an incident. Remember to include detailed plans for family members with special needs. County of San Diego Animal Services provided recommendations for household pets.

Clear and Maintain Defensible Space

Significantly improve the chance of your home surviving a wildfire by clearing and maintaining appropriate defensible space. CAL FIRE has more information on defensible space as well as a homeowners checklist. The County of San Diego's website is a great resource for ordinances and information specific to our area.

Get Trained

American Red Cross

The San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross trains volunteers as public speakers on key topics in disaster preparedness. Learn about the types of disaster that might strike our area, interact with the public at community events, and gain knowledge on health and safety issues and steps for readying your own home and family for a disaster. Learn more.

Burn Institute

Volunteer perform critically important work in furthering the mission of The Burn Institute, San Diego's leading institution in the realm of both burn prevention and recovery. Volunteer for projects such as installing smoke detectors for seniors, coaching kids at fire safety festivals, and serving at San Diego's annual Fire Expo.

Volunteer San Diego's Disaster Cadre

Volunteers who come forward during a disaster range from highly trained and certified professionals to citizens who have never responded to an emergency before. As the County's Lead Agency for Spontaneous Volunteer Management, Volunteer San Diego matches these valuable resources with the organization that need them. Members of our Disaster Cadre train and plan year round to set up Emergency Volunteer Centers to serve this purpose during a disaster.