An Important Public Safety Message from the City Manager and Fire Chief
The City would like to begin this week’s update by sending our heartfelt condolences and well wishes to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. While we all hope that the fires will be brought under control as soon as possible, we also need to continue to prepare ourselves for the potential of fires here in San Diego.
The fires in Los Angeles County are devastating and underscore the need for coastal communities like Solana Beach to be prepared for times when fire conditions are high. The City of Solana Beach takes fire prevention and response planning seriously and is committed to working alongside the community to minimize risk and ensure safety.
The City and the Solana Beach Fire Department remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of our residents through comprehensive preparedness, response planning, and collaboration with regional partners.
The Solana Beach Fire Department is fully staffed and, through mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions, is prepared to respond promptly and effectively to all emergencies within the City of Solana Beach. Considering the current red flag weather event, the County of San Diego has provided additional resources by pre-positioning two strike teams consisting of 10 fire engines and 40 firefighters to respond to potential wildland fires throughout the county, including within the City of Solana Beach.
To prepare for wildland fire events, the Solana Beach Fire Department participates in extensive county-wide training with regional fire departments and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the department engages in annual wildfire drills in vulnerable areas. These joint training exercises ensure uniformity in standard operating procedures, strengthening the department’s ability to manage emergencies effectively and efficiently.
The City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which was recently updated in June 2024, is a comprehensive document that provides for a coordinated response to all hazards by City staff and emergency partners.
The City also emphasizes wildfire prevention and mitigation. The Solana Beach Fire Department conducts annual and state-mandated inspections of schools, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and multifamily buildings to identify and reduce risks, ensuring the community remains as safe as possible.
How Residents Can Stay Safe:
- Visit the County's Emergency Preparedness webpage to learn more about how you can prepare for an emergency.
- Develop an emergency plan to help you, your neighbors, and your loved ones prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency or disaster.
- Register cell phones and email address with AlertSanDiego, the notification system used by first responders to alert you in the event of an emergency.
- Sign up for power outage alerts from SDG&E.
- Download the GENASYS PROTECT and SD Emergency apps for alerts.
- Remember it is important to plan before the emergency happens, to evacuate early and follow all fire and law enforcement emergency orders.
As we keep our neighbors to the north in our thoughts, we encourage anyone looking to help to do so through trusted organizations supporting those affected. There are many relief efforts underway accepting donations. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of disasters like this, so please take the time to verify the legitimacy of any organization before contributing.