September is National Preparedness Month, serving as a critical reminder that we must be ready year-round to protect our homes, communities, businesses, and loved ones from the devastation caused by disasters of all types. We are sharing important tips and regional resources throughout the month, so check back for updates.
Be Informed. Stay Informed.
Having access to current information is critical during an emergency. Here are three things you can do now to ensure you have what you need, when you need it:
- Register your email and mobile number with Alert San Diego with your current address. Land lines are automatically included in the county’s reverse 911 system, but this allows you to get the information relevant to your current place of residence no matter where you are at the time the alert goes out.
- Download the SD Emergency app on your mobile phone and/or tablet. Designed for San Diego County residents, the app has a section for emergency planning, a section with information and maps during the emergency, and a section with recovery resources for after.
- Download the Poway CityApp. The free app debuted in 2020 primarily for residents to report and track incidents around the city. However, it also provides quick access to connect residents with information during an emergency event.
Make a Plan. Have a Plan.
Be prepared to care of yourself and family for the first 72 hours following a major disaster or emergency.
The first step is getting your supplies together. This includes your “go bag” to grab and go in the event of an evacuation and a “stay box” to shelter at home. Have you heard of the “6 P’s of Evacuation”? Some of these items you won't be able to pre-pack, so have this list taped to the outside of your “go bag” and know where they are located in your home:
- People/Pets
- Papers/Phone Numbers
- Prescriptions/Vitamins/Eyeglasses
- Pictures/Irreplaceable Memorabilia
- Personal Computer
- Plastics/Cash
The second step is planning and sharing the best evacuation routes away from danger, and where your family will meet up. Make special arrangements for small children or anyone in your household with limited mobility, disabilities, or other access and functional needs. And include an out-of-state emergency contact that everyone in your family checks in case you are separated.
Get more details in our Emergency Preparedness for Individuals and Families section our website.
Know When to Go
We’re fortunate in San Diego County to have one of the best Reverse 911 alert systems in the state. But emergencies don’t always wait for an introduction. During Santa Ana winds, for instance, wildfires can be unpredictable. The best advice from our emergency management leaders is that when you see smoke, be alert. Review your emergency plan. Think through your evacuation routes. Station your emergency supplies/kit. Stay up to date with emergency information via the SD Emergency App or Poway CityApp. And when it comes to wildfires, keep your eye on the sky.
You know your neighborhood. You know your exit routes. Even if you haven’t received a call, evacuate before it becomes unsafe for you and your family. Use our planning tools in the Emergency Preparedness for Individuals and Families section our website.
Ready, Set, Go
Poway’s climate, vegetation, topography, and vast open space puts our community at risk for wildfires. Do your part to get ready for wildfires by taking steps to harden your home and create defensible space to minimize opportunities for embers to ignite your home. The Ready, Set, Go action plan has illustrations and checklists that are tailored to wildfire preparedness, but will help your family be ready for any situation. View the action plan and wildfire preparedness tips.
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