News from the Office of Emergency Services

        ARE YOU PREPARED?

On Monday, May 12, 2008, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit China. The aftermath of this major earthquake has underscored the importance of personal preparedness. We want to remind you to update your emergency kits and make sure that all of your supplies are up-to-date. If you don't have a disaster kit for your home, car or work we have provided links below to assist you in being prepared. A pro-active rather than re-active approach towards dealing with disasters is the best means we have of mitigating damage or harm from natural disasters or other forms of destruction. Assist yourself, your family and your first responders by being prepared for any type of disaster.  www.ready.gov or www.redcross.org

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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.

Disaster Preparedness Training

Provided by the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department invites you to join them in a series of CERT Training Classes to learn basic skills that may be needed in the event of an emergency.

For more information on CERT Classes click here.

Who is in Charge?

The Office of Emergency is managed by the City Administrator who acts as the Emergency Services Director. The Director works closely with the Emergency Services Manager and the City’s Emergency Services Council, which includes all City department heads.

The Emergency Services Manager has the responsibility of the day-to-day operations of disaster preparedness and readiness.

What is a Disaster?

A disaster can take many forms. The City Office of Emergency Services plans for and responds to all kinds of emergencies/disasters, such as:

Download or View
Tsunami Potential Map | Earthquake Faults Map

What Happens when there is a Disaster in Santa Barbara?

When a disaster occurs, the Emergency Services Director will meet with the City’s Emergency Services Council and the Emergency Services Manager to make a determination as to the level of the incident. The Director then begins to prioritize and develop strategies to handle the disaster incident. The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is then activated. The EOC becomes the center of communication and coordination of resources. The Emergency Services Manager coordinates all of the functions within the EOC.

If you have questions about the City’s Office of Emergency Services,
E-mail us:YMcGlinchey@SantaBarbaraCA.gov