COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The members of the Solana Beach Fire Department are proud to be a part of a wide range of programs and services that serve our community. We will be updating this list soon. 

Car Seat Safety

Did you know that nearly 60% of child car seats are not installed or used correctly? 

AMR’s team of certified car seat inspectors will install your child’s car seat free of charge. Just stop by the upper parking lot of the Encinitas Community Center on the first Monday of the month between 9:30AM and noon. They can also conduct safety checks to ensure car seats are installed correctly. Call 858-492-3514 for more information. 

This service is also available by appointment at the following locations:

El Cajon CHP (Tuesday mornings): 619-401-2000  

Escondido Police (once a month): 760-839-4722

La Mesa Police (1st Tuesday every month, first come first serve): 619-667-1400 (fee for non-residents)

Oceanside CHP (1 day per month - call for details): 760-643-3400 

Pacific Safety Center: 858-621-2313

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department: 858-756-5971

Safely Surrendered Baby

The County of San Diego has designated by law that all Hospital Emergency Rooms and designated Fire Stations as the location where newborns can safely be surrendered to care without prosecution of the parent. This law is intended to prevent the abandonment of unwanted babies, which can result in harm to the child or even death. The County Board of Supervisors approved designating fire stations that are staffed 24/7.  

The Solana Beach Fire Station has been designated as a Safely Surrender site. The Fire Station displays the Safe Haven Site sign and a smaller sign with instructions in case the firefighters are not in quarters.

To learn more about the safe surrendered baby program in San Diego County, visit www.safe4baby.org

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program that educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. 

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Solana Beach CERT Program Manager

Firefighter Michael Monken

CERT schedule for 2023 – Quarterly Training and CERT Academies:

• 2023 CERT academy: May 20th and May 27th
• 2023 Quarterly Training;  September 16th, December 9th ( location and event TBD)

Solana Beach CERT Message

CERT is part of a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities.  CERT trains them in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue.

Trained CERT members are sworn in as volunteer Disaster Service Workers for the City of Encinitas (Solana, Del Mar). They receive basic training to safely respond to the needs of their neighborhoods following disaster, and to serve as the eyes and ears of the City’s Emergency Operations Center and first responders.

When a disaster strikes, CERT members begin by ensuring that their family and neighbors are safe. They then await to be deployed by their fire department to serve within their community and put their training to work.

Anyone in good health and with a sense of community can become a part of CERT. If you become a CERT member, you will learn about important life-safety support techniques. You will, however, not be expected to place yourself in dangerous situations, either in the training or when a disaster strikes.

CERT training includes:

• Disaster readiness
• Extinguishing small fires
• Basic first aid
• Search and rescue tactics
• Use of radios
• Mass Casualty Incidents

Volunteers Needed

Solana Beach and Del Mar residents are being asked to participate in a CERT training to become disaster workers. The classes are free and open to all residents or employees of Solana Beach and/or Del Mar who are 18 years or older. 

For more information please contact the Solana Beach Fire Department at 858-720-4412