The San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation hosted their first wildfire preparedness safety fair.
The organization was joined by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Falck, San Diego Gas & Electric and others to explain why fire safety is important.
“So far, the feedback we’ve gotten from the community is overwhelmingly great. It’s great to have all of these resources together in one place and a lot of people aren’t aware of the simple things like the home fire escape plans that we’re giving out. They’re not aware of I need to have two ways out. I need to have a family meeting spot,” said Wendy Moore who is the Executive Director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation.
The event included live safety demonstrations, a lithium-ion battery safety education station, e-bike and scooter safety station, ambulance display and more.
Local fire preparedness leaders explained why it was time to hold the event.
“Particularly for our Santa Ana season starts now. October, November, December and January as we saw in the Palisades Fire these were wind-driven fires,” San Diego Fire Rescue, Captain, Paul Shuttleworth said. “The unique danger with Santa Ana winds are certainly the high winds, low humidity as well as the low fuel moisture that comes with that.”
Shuttleworth explained that it is important for everyone to be on the same page regarding fire safety.
“There’s a saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and the same goes for our neighbor’s preparedness. Really our community is as strong as our most ill-prepared neighbor,” Shuttleworth said.
The San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation intends to host more educational events in the future.