When San Diego County Fire is called upon to help during emergencies, our mission is clear. We reach those in need, as quickly and safely as possible.

Sometimes, we must overcome barriers. Locked doors are among those barriers, when residents cannot reach them due to their conditions.

Our Residential KnoxBox Program is designed to give residents a back-up plan to be accessible during crisis.

Qualifying residents will receive a lock box at no cost. Inside, a spare house key can be stored for access by County Fire during emergencies. County Fire will install the box. 

County Fire's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is among our key Community Risk Reduction initiatives. The CERT program is composed of volunteers from across San Diego County Fire’s jurisdiction who are trained to assist their fellow citizens in basic disaster response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, County Fire CERT is offering free virtual emergency preparedness activities, training, and events.

According to FEMA, CERT programs are active in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. Each is unique to its community and all are essential to building a culture of preparedness in the United States. In all, there are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program in 1993.

County Fire CERT has deployed numerous times in recent years, providing critical assistance in numerous wildfires and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work has included conducting welfare checks, distributing supplies, working with the American Red Cross at shelter and temporary evacuation points, and disaster recovery operations. County Fire’s work and expertise have been recognized at the state and national levels.

County Fire CERT's mission statement: Promote disaster preparedness planning; provide emergency awareness training and during large-scale disasters or incidents, provide operational response support to the San Diego County Fire Authority/Fire Protection District for residents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

“We are neighbors helping neighbors” – San Diego County Fire Community Emergency Response Team

With funding from the Listos California For All Campaign, County Fire CERT - Southern Division offered the following classes & events in 2019 and 2020:

• 7 - CPR/AED Classes
• 14 - Fire Extinguisher trainings sessions
• 1 - Bleeding Control training (FEMA's You are the Help Until Help Arrives)
• 5 - Defensible Space & Drought Tolerant Landscaping (including Rattlesnake Behaviour taught by the SD Zoo)
• 1 - Active Shooter Survivial training
• 2 - Drive-thru Safety Fairs
• 18 - Activities (Bingo Games, Kids' Games and more)
• 3 - CERT Trainings and Drill

2,939 residents learned potentially life-saving skills, the equipment and/or certifications to support the training they received and important emergency preparedness information (Listos Disaster Ready Guids, Personal Disaster Plans).