Mission Statement:
The City of Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Services was established by the City Council in an effort to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of major emergencies that threaten lives, property, and the environment.
The Office of Emergency Services accomplishes this mission through comprehensive safety education programs for the public, training City employees regarding their Disaster Service Worker roles and responsibilities, and inter-agency coordination activities that assist in the City’s emergency management and preparedness efforts.
Current Events:
FOR UPDATE ON RAIN FORECAST: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=lox&pil=XXXSPSLOX&zone=caz035&productType=Special%20Weather%20Statement
v September is National Preparedness Month
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will sponsor the fourth annual National Preparedness Month this September and encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 625 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support.
"It is vital that Americans take steps to prepare for emergencies at home, work or school," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "Personal preparedness is paramount to effectively reacting to the effects of a disaster. By preparing yourself, your family, and your businesses, you allow first responders to prioritize efforts and aid."
v Tuesday September 11, 2007 On September 11, 2007, the Santa Barbara City Council will, by proclamation, proclaim September as National Preparedness Month in the City of Santa Barbar a. The focus of the proclamation will be on the City's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
v Thursday September 13, 2007 As part of the National Coalition the City of Santa Barbara is partnering with the County Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Homeland Security to sponsor a Business Continuity Breakfast on Thursday September 13, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. at Fess Parkers Doubletree Hotel, 633 East Cabrillo Blvd. This event is open for all business owner, but seating is limited. For questions regarding this event please contact Yolanda McGlinchey at 805-564-5711.
v Sunday October 28, 2007 Sunday October 28, 2007 from 11:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m. the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, in conjunction with various other emergency service providers in the community will be gathering on Sunday, October 28th for the 6th Annual Safety Fair at De La Guerra Plaza
Program Activities:
- Provide all mandatory State and Federal emergency management training to all city employees
- Maintain city readiness to deal with major disasters and any other major local emergencies
- Conduct seminars for citizens on disaster preparedness
- Educate the citizens on personal and neighborhood preparedness through the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
- Review and update all emergency plans and standard operating procedures for each city department
- Monitor level of disaster preparedness training for city employees
Objectives for Fiscal Year 2007
- Train new employees on their role as disaster service workers
- Hold one table top exercise a year; one functional exercise a year; and a full-scale exercise every three years
- Conduct three English and one Spanish CERT training annually
- Conduct three Emergency Operations Training annually
- Conduct bi-annual disaster preparedness seminars to the community
- Prepare to become a “Tsunami Ready City”, per Federal guidelines
Helpful Links
Are you prepared for an emergency or disaster?
The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family and then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone can see it -- on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information on how to develop an emergency plan for your area contact the City’s Office of Emergency Services or the American Red Cross.
Emergency Checklist
- Call your Office of Emergency Services or American Red Cross
- Find out which disasters could occur in your area
- Ask how to prepare for each disaster
- Learn the main evacuation routes for your area
- Ask about special assistance should you be elderly or disabled
- Ask if your workplace has an emergency plan
- Learn the emergency plan for your children's school or day care center
Create an Emergency Plan
- Meet with household members. Discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies
- Discuss on how to respond to these disasters
- Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injury
- Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two exits from each room
- Learn how to shut off Electricity, water and gas
- Post emergency phone numbers near telephones
- Teach children how and when to call " 911 ", police, and fire
- Instruct household members to turn on the radio to receive emergency information
- Pick one out of state and one local friend or relative to contact if separated by a disaster ( it is often easier to call out of state rather than in the affected area )
- Teach children to make long distance telephone calls
- Pick two meeting places A place close to home in case of a fire and a place outside Of your neighborhood in case you cannot return after a disaster
- Take a Basic First Aid and CPR Class
- Keep family records in a water and fire proof container
Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit
- Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry Container, such as a backpack or duffle bag. Include:
- A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable Containers. Identify the storage date and rotate every six months.
- A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener
- A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- A first aid kit and prescription medicines
- An extra pair of glasses
- A battery powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries
- Credit card and cash
- An extra set of car keys
- A list of family physicians
- A list of important family information
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disable.
Escape Plan
In A fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment, or mobile home on a moments notice. You should be ready to get out fast.
Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency supplies, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits, and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire. Be sure to include important points outside, such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways, and porches. Practice evacuation drills with all family members at least two times a year.
Home Hazard Hunt
In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
- Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections
- Fasten shelves securely
- Place large heavy objects on lower shelves
- Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds
- Brace overhead light fixture.
- Secure water heater
- Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations
- Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources
- Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents
- If You Need to Evacuate
- Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters
- Follow instructions of local officials
- Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoe.
- Take your Disaster Supply Kit
- Lock your home
- Use travel routes specified by local officials
If you are sure you have time:
- Shut off water, gas, and electricity, if instructed to do so
- Let others know when you left and where you are going
- Make arrangements for pets, they will not be allowed in public shelters
- Prepare an Emergency Car Kit
- Battery powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Blanket
- Booster cables
- Fire extinguisher ( 5lb ABC type )
- First aid kit and manual
- Bottled water and high energy food
- Shovel, tire repair kit, and flares
- Find additional tips for disaster preparedness by visiting www.ready.gov
For more information you can contact us at:
Yolanda McGlinchey, Emergency Services Manager
121 W. Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-564-5711
805-564-5730 (fax)
ymcglinchey@santabarbaraca.gov
Gracie Huerta, Public Education Coordinator
121 W. Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-564-5703
805-564-5730 (fax)
ghuerta@santabarbaraca.gov