East County CERT

01/13/2025

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in the community. When emergencies happen, CERT members are trained to give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and much more. If you want to be better prepared to help your community, come and join our team!

01/09/2025

Be informed, be ready.

Santa Ana winds will restrengthen Thursday and last into Friday for inland areas. Slightly weaker than Wednesday for areas north of San Diego County. Slightly stronger than Wednesday for San Diego County. Critical fire weather conditions are expected!

01/08/2025

In case you missed this information before, Genasys Protect is a new piece of technology that allows first responder agencies to provide disaster notifications, evacuation information, shelter locations, road closures and much more to the public in a timely manner. Information from Genasys Protect can be viewed at the website (https://protect.genasys.com/) or by downloading the free Genasys Protect App.

Using the free app, you can subscribe to specific “zones”, such as areas where you live, work, or frequently visit. Subscribing allows you to receive push notifications and view real time updates on status changes for any incident within San Diego County.

For more information about Genasys Protect, the app, or additional preparedness resources, please visit www.AlertSD.org

01/06/2025

We are now taking applications for our 2025 training academy. For more information about CERT and how to apply, please go to https://www.heartlandfire.org/164/East-County-CERT---Disaster-Preparedness

01/01/2025

Wishing you and yours all the best in the coming year.

12/25/2024

No matter how you may choose to celebrate the season,

11/29/2024

This is the time of year when many people will be picking out this year’s Christmas tree. Remember these safety tips when you chose your tree and throughout the holiday season.

PICKING YOUR TREE - Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

PLACING YOUR TREE - Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

• Keep pets from drinking tree water and don’t add toxic tree preservatives to it.

LIGHTING THE TREE - Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are designed specifically for indoor or outdoor use only.

• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

• LED lights are run cooler and require less power than traditional incandescent lights.

• Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed

11/28/2024

11/18/2024

It's time again for the annual Heartland Fire & Rescue toy drive, this year in association with Toys for Tots. Please drop off your new, unwrapped toy to any Heartland Fire & Rescue station between now and December 6th. Not sure where your nearest fire station is? Just scan the QR code in the flyer for a complete list of locations. Your generous donation could help make a child's holiday season very special.

11/02/2024

Don't forget! Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, when we "fall back" and gain an extra hour of sleep. Be sure to set you clocks back one hour before going to bed tonight.

And remember, when you change your clocks, check your smoke alarms. It may be time to change the batteries, or if your alarms are 10 years old, replace them. Working smoke alarms save lives.

10/31/2024

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

10/17/2024

Halloween is quickly approaching! No matter how you plan to celebrate the holiday, here are some tips to help make your Halloween a safe and happy one.

• If you'll be going house to house, tell a family member or friend not going with you, what route you’ll be taking.

• Children should be accompanied by an adult. Take your mobile phone with you. Make sure it’s fully charged before you leave home.

• Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.

• When selecting a costume, make sure it’s the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit a child’s vision.

• Slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on your car’s headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away.

• Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.

• Inspect treats before indulging. Discard anything that's not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable.

• Open flames can be a safety hazard. Instead of using candles in your Jack O’ Lantern, light pumpkins with flashlights, battery-operated flameless candles or glow sticks instead.

09/10/2024

Here is a unique opportunity. This training will provide you with general awareness of what it takes to be a fire fighter. If you're interested, the registration timeline is short, you must register by Friday, Sept. 13th.

09/03/2024

It's going to be HOT this week. Make sure to keep these heat safety tips in mind and stay cool everyone!