San Diego County Fire Disaster Management Plan

Scenario: San Diego County Fire Disaster Management Plan
You are applying for an internship within the Emergency Preparedness and Response department at your local county health department. The application process requires that you submit a public health disaster management plan for a natural or man-made event in the community.

 What are the gaps?
 What was the impact of the event on the school and community?
 Who was involved?
 Who collaborated?
 What were the challenges in responding to or managing the event?
 What was the plan in case it happened and was it followed?
 After the event, what was the outcome?
 What can you do to improve or answer your initial question?
 Who, what, and how will you develop a plan, execute, and evaluate so that what happened in the past is prevented from affecting your organization and community?
 Who are your community resources? Closest law enforcement, fire department, NGO, CERT response, FEMA, Red Cross, and hospital that you can work with for your plan?
 How will you measure your goals and objectives? (examples of action items are)
 I want to train 70% or 70 out of 100 staff within 3 months
 In 6 months, I will have trained 150 out of 200 staff
 I will develop an online training video for the instructors on the basics of responding to an active shooter event that will be a mandatory assignment completed every year
 I will conduct a drill every 3 months for an active shooter in collaboration with the Kearny Mesa Sheriff and Fire Department. Kaiser Kearny Mesa and Red Cross will participate in managing triage patients within the NU parking lot.
 Develop a pre and post-survey measuring perception of knowledge and readiness.
 Provide an action item report to all stakeholders of what went well and opportunities for improvement 1 week after the drill.

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Identifying the Gap: The 2007 Witch Creek Fire

The 2007 Witch Creek Fire, one of the largest wildfires in San Diego County history, highlighted several critical gaps in the region’s disaster management plan:

  • Insufficient Early Warning Systems: Delayed notifications hindered timely evacuations.
  • Limited Resource Allocation: Inadequate resources, particularly firefighting personnel and equipment, hampered containment efforts.
  • Poor Coordination: Lack of effective communication and coordination between agencies hindered response efforts.

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  • Impact on Vulnerable Populations: The fire disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, including the elderly, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities.

Impact on the Community and Schools

The fire caused widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement of residents. Schools in affected areas were closed, disrupting education and causing significant emotional distress for students and staff.

Key Stakeholders

  • Local Government: San Diego County, City of San Diego, and other municipalities.
  • State Agencies: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), Office of Emergency Services (OES).
  • Federal Agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Forest Service.
  • Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel.
  • Non-Profit Organizations: Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other humanitarian organizations.
  • Community Members: Residents, businesses, and community groups.

Developing and Implementing the Plan

Key Strategies:

  1. Enhanced Early Warning Systems:
    • Invest in advanced technology for early detection and warning systems.
    • Develop clear and concise evacuation plans for residents and businesses.
  2. Improved Resource Allocation:
    • Pre-position resources, such as fire engines and water tankers, in strategic locations.
    • Establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions.
  3. Strengthened Coordination and Communication:
    • Conduct regular drills and exercises to improve interagency coordination.
    • Utilize advanced communication technologies to facilitate real-time information sharing.
  4. Protecting Vulnerable Populations:
    • Prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations during evacuations and recovery efforts.
    • Provide culturally competent support services.

Measuring Success:

  • Reduced Property Loss: Monitor the number of structures damaged or destroyed during wildfires.
  • Improved Evacuation Times: Track evacuation times and identify areas for improvement.
  • Enhanced Community Resilience: Assess the community’s ability to recover from disasters.
  • Positive Feedback from Stakeholders: Gather feedback from community members, first responders, and other stakeholders.

By implementing these strategies, San Diego County can significantly improve its preparedness and response to wildfires, protecting lives and property.

 

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