Public Safety

Pledge to Prepare, Win a Tent

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Peak fire season is just ahead, so don’t be caught unprepared. Being ready means being registered for mass notifications, having three days of emergency supplies on hand, and planning how you and your family will contact and help one another during an emergency.

To encourage San Diegans to prepare, County officials on Tuesday announced a free giveaway: The first 2,000 people that Pledge to Prepare by registering with AlertSanDiego, the County’s emergency notification calling system, and completing a Family Disaster Plan can get a free two-person tent donated by Target.

The 2003 and 2007 firestorms taught us to be prepared for emergencies. With peak fire season right around the corner we are recommending some very easy steps to help citizens be prepared,” said San Diego County Supervisor Dave Roberts. “The Office of Emergency Services’ tent giveaway is an incentive to get people to think about preparation now.”

Supervisor Ron Roberts also emphasized the importance of immediate action.

“If a disaster were to strike tonight or tomorrow, it wouldn’t help to just be aware that you should have emergency plans and supplies in place. Turn awareness into action this year, before the Santa Ana winds of October,” Roberts said.

Here’s how the tent giveaway works: If you are one of the first 2,000 people to register for AlertSanDiego, the County’s Office of Emergency Services is offering a free camping tent donated by Target. Residents will be asked to complete a Family Disaster Plan and bring it to the Office of Emergency Services to claim the tent.

For details of the promotion and to Pledge to Prepare, visit www.ReadySanDiego.org and click on the Pledge to Prepare banner.

The contest announcement came after Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor meeting, the first meeting in September, which happens to be National Preparedness Month. At the recommendation of Supervisors Dave and Ron Roberts, the Board of Supervisors asked County Office of Emergency Services for a briefing on opportunities to expand disaster preparedness and response for people with disabilities. The Board also officially proclaimed September National Preparedness Month in honor of 211, the local nonprofit that helps the County disseminate information and register spontaneous volunteers in a disaster.

As part of National Preparedness Month, residents are also encouraged to spend some time on the County’s ReadySanDiego website. Besides registering for AlertSanDiego and creating a Family Disaster Plan, you can also learn how to:

  • Build a kit of emergency supplies for your home, office and vehicle to include water, nonperishable food, special dietary items for infants, pet food, first aid items, a flashlight, a radio and batteries, prescribed medications, cash and copies of important documents you might need if asked to evacuate your home. A list of what to gather for your kit is included in the Family Disaster Plan. Some pre-packaged emergency kits can be purchased locally or online for one, two or more people but need to be supplemented for your family. Collecting these items can be made more affordable by gradually adding supplies to your kit until it is complete. 
  • Get involved in your community through local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and learn how to be a neighborhood hero.
Yvette Urrea Moe is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact