By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 4, 2017 (San Diego) -- Wildfires are not the only hazard we have to concern ourselves with during high winds and Red Flag warnings which go into effect today and last through the week. These winds may be our strongest of the season!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 13, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - When most of us think about Thanksgiving, images of turkey, stuffing and time spent with loved ones typically come to mind, not fire hazards. However, an increased risk of fire is, in fact, a reality of Thanksgiving reminds Fire Chief Sam Digiovanna. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 12, 2017 (San Diego) -- Wildfires seem to be burning daily in almost every county. You may not live directly in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) however you will likely be impacted by the large amount of smoke generated by these fires.

Particulate matter generated from the smoke is the main public health threat during short-term exposure to wildfire smoke, so it’s crucial to protect yourself.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

September 3, 2017 (San Diego) -- Have you ever wondered how firefighters determine which homes to defend and which ones we don’t during a wildfire?

As firefighters, we lay out our plans for the tactical operations before a brush fire by pre-planning our districts. During a brush fire, it’s imperative that we make quick but well-thought-out decisions that reflect life safety issues for both responders and citizens first, followed by property conservation.

Grant Yourself Immunity

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 14, 2017 (San Diego) -- Every week it seems there’s some new virus, disease, airborne, food contamination in which we have to exercise caution around or get an immunization.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get an immunization against the 405 freeway and stop that spread of toxic traffic! How about from rude and obnoxious people? I guess we can never rid ourselves of those.  However, vaccine-preventable diseases can be prevented if we take the time and get our immunization shots.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 2, 2017 (San Diego) -- More people lose their LIVES in floods than in any other weather-related event. Eighty percent of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake - trying to navigate through floodwaters.

Watch for the following signs:

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 17, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - I've Got My Eye On You!

Our sight is something many of us take for granted. Imagine not having it?

Let’s look at some facts on eye injuries. More than 40 percent of eye injuries are caused by projects and activities such as home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. More than a third (34.2 percent) of injuries in the home occurred in living areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 5, 2017 (San Diego) -- June is the month that is declared as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council (NSC).

The NSC and thousands of organizations across the country work to raise awareness to keep each other safe. Observed annually in June, National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 18, 2017 (San Diego) -- Did you know that one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition? Did you know one in 25 adults in the country lives with a serious mental illness?

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!  It’s also along the freeways, in open fields and vacant lots in your neighborhood. That lush green vegetation and pretty wildflowers from recent winter storms is now turning golden in color and soon to become dark brown, brittle and extremely dry.  Fire season is already here and getting extremely dangerous quickly. We’ve already seen quite a few fast moving grass/brush fires throughout Southern California.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Snakes' eyes – they’re watching!

April 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- We know all about those snakes at work that slither around trying to work their way into promotions, office social circles and politics, or even belly up to the boss. They’ll do anything (even bite you in the back) as long as it benefits them.  But the snake I’m talking about is actually more fearful of you, however just as dangerous and you need to exercise caution around them: rattlesnakes!

 By Fire Cief Sam DiGiovanna

February 20, 2017 (San Diego) -- With the Academy Awards approaching, stars will walk down the red carpet and then, a lucky few will have the honor of taking home an Oscar. Each year we honor these actors for their impressive performances—their ability to move us, to bring characters to life on the screen, to communicate something profound.

What does this have to do with you? We have opportunities to put on our best performances every day – it’s a choice. But there’s one thing we routinely do in which our power to communicate is truly profound: being kind and considerate.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- With inaugurations, drought, protests, storms etc we seemed to have forgotten that about 23 years ago this month was the Northridge earthquake. The 6.7 quake killed 16 people and damage was reported up to 85 miles away!

We are “way” over-due for an earthquake and we ALL live near a fault line. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

By Sam DiGiovanna

January 2, 2017 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting the possibility of significant storm beginning next Saturday. The NWS is reporting that an Atmospheric River (a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere) may reach southern California Saturday.

This may produce more rain than we have seen in decades. Start thinking ahead to prepare.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 5, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The lights are likely up outside so, now is a good time to look at some safety tips for inside the home as Christmas nears, reminds Chief DiGiovanna.