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.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Now You’re Cooking – With Safety!

November 14, 2016 (San Diego)--Thanks giving is quickly approaching and did you know Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving as any other day of the year? “Thanksgiving is a fun, festive holiday, but it’s also very hectic says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. “All the entertaining and distractions make it easy to forget about what’s cooking on the stovetop.”

Dedicated to the Men of Engine Company 57

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was home in Orange County leaving for work in Los Angeles. I could see the large plume of smoke to the east. In a matter of moments it intensified. The plumb expanded and rose quickly into the atmosphere. I knew something went bad. I didn’t think it was this bad… Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna”

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 17, 2016 (San Diego) -- October 26^th 2006, 1:11 a.m. Santa Ana winds stirred across the southland.

A Red Flag warning had been identified and was in effect. A high probability for large fire growth was in effect as conditions were high temperatures, low humidity, and Santa Ana winds.

Wine Awareness Month

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 1,  2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- To date, some of this year’s most destructive fires were dangerously close to the Napa, Paso and Santa Barbara Wine Regions. Our hearts go out to the victims of these dangerous wildfires. Ask any Firefighter - they take any loss personally. Sometimes were just outnumbered, many times mother nature and the fires fury is too much. Especially with these drought conditions.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- There’s nothing wrong with being defensive, and providing some space!  Firefighting resources can get stretched thin this time of year as multiple brush fires break out. It’s important that homeowners do their part to mitigate the threat of wildfire by creating defensible space around their homes. .

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s that time of year when we notice large cumulous clouds forming around southern California. And I love a good thunderstorm!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 8, 2016 (San Diego) -- Brush fires chewed through hillsides from San Diego to Ventura Counties and every county in between, challenging firefighters and making hillside homeowners very nervous this past weekend as a very hot and long brush fire season is now underway.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Prom and graduation season is here again. You want to make sure you graduate ‘with’ your class! Unfortunately, these happy occasions sometimes involve underage drinking which can result in tragedy.. It is therefore critical that parents keep the lines of communication open when it comes to talking to their kids about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) -- We’ve all encountered them at one time or another, and never a pleasant experience “snakes!” (and I’m not referring to some of those ‘special’ people in your life or at work). “Snake season usually picks up steam between April and May," says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- I don’t think I’ve sported a better tan during what has been predicted to be the wettest year in decades. I know I’ve been preaching El Nino Preparedness and catching grief about it. Please El Nino - raise your head and rain upon us…I can look foolish on my own!