By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
August 22, 2023 (San Diego) -- Lithium-ion battery fires are at an all-time high, according to the San Diego Fire Hazardous Materials Team.
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December 9, 2020 (Sacramento) – Home heating fires caused over 48,000 fires last year, killing 500 people and causing $1.1 billion in damages. Most of those tragedies resulted from chimney fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. With power outages in winter weather, many residents in East County’s mountain and rural areas are relying on fireplaces to stay warm. Many others enjoy fireside family time during the holiday season. But before you light the Yule log or hang stockings with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there, you should take some simple safety precautions.
The California Office of Emergency Services has provided these tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on how to prevent chimney fires.
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By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office
Source: County News Service
July 31, 2016 (San Diego) - Fire safety events are coming to San Diego County parks, with CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service and park ranger experts sure to kindle your interest in fire science, preparedness and nature in an outdoor classroom.
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February 24, 2013 (Descanso)--If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, Community Emergency Response Tea.m. (CERT) members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until professional help arrives.
The CERT training will be held in Descanso at the Town Hall on March 8-9 and March 14-16. The classes themselves are free.
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June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – CAL FIRE has sent a warning advising homeowners to use caution when clearing dead brush and grass. While creating defensible space is a critical step to prepare for wildfire season, as fire danger rises, unsafe use of power equipment can actually start a fire.
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January 5, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Who were the movers and shakers in East County and San Diego’s inland regions during the past year?
Below, we bring you our picks in the fields of agriculture, arts, business, community activism, education, fire safety, heroes, humanitarians, labor, notorious newsmakers, politics, sports, tribal leadership, and veterans’ issues.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
April 2, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Thom Rosenberger and Charlie Lewis, famous throughout the county for their traveling fire education program, racked up nearly 70 years as Lemon Grove firefighters and know from smoke-filled rooms, burning embers and screaming sirens.
On April 7 at 7 p.m., the Lemon Grove Historical Society will present “Putting out the fire with Thom and Charlie,” a fire safety program as part of the “History Alive” lecture series in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive in Lemon Grove.
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Leaders propose options to address serious public safety crisis in City and County
By Miriam Raftery
July 28, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego has the fewest firefighters per capita of any major city in the nation, a shocking new report by Center for Policy Initiatives revealed yesterday.
“Service quality has dropped below acceptable standards, most tragically in the fire-rescue department,” a CPI press release warned. “Without increased revenue, the city could face the closure of almost half of our fire stations and the firing of several hundred police officers, as the chief operating officer described to the Council yesterday.”
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Tips to keep your clothes--and your home--from going up in smoke
East County News Service
July 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually, causing an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage. A lack of maintenance, buildup of lint, placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
June 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Concerned about potentially deeper cuts to fire safety, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald is pushing for a new Council policy. She will introduce the new safety plan at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Wednesday, June 30th, at 2 p.m.
“Fire engines are already browned out affecting response times. The last thing we want to do is water down our Fire and Rescue Services even more,” says Emerald.
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Fire official warns against use of metal blades to cut brush
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.
“Metal blades are not a good idea for cutting weeds,” he said, adding that plastic strips or blades are safer. Ironically, clearing brush, while important to create defensible space, can actually cause a fire if caution is not taken. Villareal also warned against spilling flammable gasoline while refilling gas-powered weed cutters.
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October 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Fire safety expos were among the hottest attractions in East County recently, drawing thousands of visitors—all as part of National Fire Prevention Month. In our region, which was devastasted by two of our state's worst wildfires in 2003 and 2007, it's clear that people take fire protection seriously--while also enjoying some free family fun at these extensive events.
“How fast can it go?” one child asked Barry Links, rescue medic with San Diego Fire Rescue, while clambering into a rescue helicopter at the Viejas Commumity Center. (Answer: 140 knotts, or 165 mph.) Links also demonstrated a hoist used in canyon rescues and showed how the vehicle can also suck up water from lakes “like a straw” to help dowse fires.
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October 9, 2009 (El Cajon ) --The annual El Cajon Fire Safety & Career Expo takes place Saturday, October 10th, at 100 E. Lexington Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free family event offers valuable safety, health and career information--plus plenty of fun! Meet Captain Jack Sparrow, an amazing tribute artist of the popular Johnny Depp character from Pirates of the Caribbean, K-C the Safety Robot, Coasty the talking Coast Guard Boat, Sparky the fire dog, Callahan the Firefighter and Mother Goose. You’ll also have a chance to meet Miss El Cajon and Miss Teen El Cajon--plus teen stars from TV and Disney movies.
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September 13, 2009 (El Cajon) – Learn about becoming a firefighter, police officer or 9-1-1 dispatcher at the El Cajon Fire Safety & Career Expo on Saturday, October 10th. The event will also feature a new Kids’ Fun & Safety Zone with a variety of family-friendly activities.
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October 5, 2009 (Alpine) – On Thursday, over 250 school children will join firefighters, tribal representatives, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the firedog from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for hands-on learning about the importance of fire safety. The event, held at Viejas Recreation Center in Alpine, is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week.
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State Fire Experts Urge Adoption of Emergency Response Initiative (ERI)
By Miriam Raftery
September 23, 2009 (San Diego) - With major wildfires burning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and red flag warnings locally due to high fire danger, State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) chaired a joint legislative committee hearing on emergency management in San Diego today. Fire chiefs and legislators presented grim warnings that California’s fire and emergency preparedness has been stretched too thin by budget cuts, placing area residents in jeopardy. Here are a few samples of the dire concerns raised:
”It’s October. The winds are kicking up, and we are really challenged…There are blackouts, brownouts, and reduced strike teams.“ – San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarmon
“Our members, they’ve all said that constraints of the budgets at state and county levels are wearing our firefighters out.” – Lou Paulson, President, California Professional Firefighers
“The system is stressed…There is zero margin for error…50 engines have dropped off the grid since the Cedar Fire…San Francisco ran out of engines. There are brownouts and blackouts at fire districts around the state…We handled the Station Fire in Los Angeles because it was the only fire…Heaven forbid if we had had three or four fires in Southern California and they were wind-driven.” – Chief Sheldon Gilbert, Co-Chair, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force and Fire Chief, Alameda County
“Our fire prevention budget is shamefully low..Firefighting costs have increased 100% in the last five years…I want to see more put in at the front end.” – Senator Christine Kehoe
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The Burn Institute Senior Smoke Alarm Program is for people 55 and over who own their own homes. All smoke alarms, batteries and maintenance direction are provided by The Burn Institute for the program – free of charge.
If a senior is a renter, The Burns Institute will, at the renter’s request, call the owner on behalf of the renter to advocate and let the landlord know that it is his or her legal responsibility to maintain all smoke alarm equipment.
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On September 12, 2009, the San Miguel Fire District will host our 4th Annual “Safe and Sound” Fire Expo. The event will be held at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center/YMCA, 2891 Jamacha Rd. El Cajon 92019, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
By 
East County News Service
June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – CAL FIRE has sent a warning advising homeowners to use caution when clearing dead brush and grass. While creating defensible space is a critical step to prepare for wildfire season, as fire danger rises, unsafe use of power equipment can actually start a fire. 
April 2, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Thom Rosenberger and Charlie Lewis, famous throughout the county for their traveling fire education program, racked up nearly 70 years as Lemon Grove firefighters and know from smoke-filled rooms, burning embers and screaming sirens.
June 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Concerned about potentially deeper cuts to fire safety, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald is pushing for a new Council policy. She will introduce the new safety plan at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Wednesday, June 30th, at 2 p.m.
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District. 
October 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Fire safety expos were among the hottest attractions in East County recently, drawing thousands of visitors—all as part of National Fire Prevention Month. In our region, which was devastasted by two of our state's worst wildfires in 2003 and 2007, it's clear that people take fire protection seriously--while also enjoying some free family fun at these extensive events.
October 9, 2009 (El Cajon ) --The annual El Cajon Fire Safety & Career Expo takes place Saturday, October 10th, at 100 E. Lexington Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free family event offers valuable safety, health and career information--plus plenty of fun! Meet Captain Jack Sparrow, an amazing tribute artist of the popular Johnny Depp character from Pirates of the Caribbean, K-C the Safety Robot, Coasty the talking Coast Guard Boat, Sparky the fire dog, Callahan the Firefighter and Mother Goose. You’ll also have a chance to meet Miss El Cajon and Miss Teen El Cajon--plus teen stars from TV and Disney movies. 
September 13, 2009 (El Cajon) – Learn about becoming a firefighter, police officer or 9-1-1 dispatcher at the El Cajon Fire Safety & Career Expo on Saturday, October 10th. The event will also feature a new Kids’ Fun & Safety Zone with a variety of family-friendly activities.
October 5, 2009 (Alpine) – On Thursday, over 250 school children will join firefighters, tribal representatives, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the firedog from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for hands-on learning about the importance of fire safety. The event, held at Viejas Recreation Center in Alpine, is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week.
By Miriam Raftery
The Burn Institute Senior Smoke Alarm Program is for people 55 and over who own their own homes. All smoke alarms, batteries and maintenance direction are provided by The Burn Institute for the program – free of charge.
On September 12, 2009, the San Miguel Fire District will host our 4th Annual “Safe and Sound” Fire Expo. The event will be held at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center/YMCA, 2891 Jamacha Rd. El Cajon 92019, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
By Tracy Emblem
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