Community Risk Reduction
The Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Division's goal is to build, enhance, and maintain resilient communities across San Diego County.
Multiple programs make up the CRR Division: Pre-Fire/Resource Management, the Defensible Space Program, Law Enforcement, Community Engagement and Grants programs, and the County Fire Marshal program.
Our Programs
Residential KnoxBox Program
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.
Residents who live in Deer Springs Fire Protection District, Ramona Municipal Water District, or San Diego County Fire's service area and identify with at least one of the following:
- 62 years of age or older
- Have a disability
- Needs assistance with one or more Major Life Activity
Fill out an Online Application
or
Fill out an Application Form (pdf) and return to the Community Risk Reduction Division by email or sending it by US mail to:
San Diego County Fire Community Risk Reduction 5510 Overland Ave, Suite 250 San Diego, CA 92123
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What is a qualifying disability?
Disability is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Title 42, Chapter 126, Section 12102 (1).
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What is a Major Life Activity?
Major Life Activities are activities like caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, or lifting. For more, see the Americans with Disabilities Act Title 42, Chapter 126, Section 12102 (2) (A).
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Can I get assistance filling out an application?
Yes! Please contact by email or phone. We will gladly assist you. Please have all of the information needed to complete the Application Form ready when you contact us.
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What should I have prepared when you come to install the KnoxBox on my home?
Please have the following ready for us on the day of installation:
- A spare house key that will go into the box
- The Fire Prevention Specialist who will work with you to install the box will let you know which of the following agreements you will need to sign based on the method of installation. If you have a landlord, they must also sign this agreement.
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I have a KnoxBox installed but I no longer need and/or want to be a part
of this program. What do I do?
Please contact us at FireCRR@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 974-5744. We will remove the KnoxBox and return your home key.
County Fire Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
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
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Communities Served: Barrett Junction, Boulevard, Bratton Valley, Campo, Carveacre, De Luz, Deerhorn Valley, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, East Otay Mesa, Guatay, Harbison Canyon, Jacumba, Jamul, Japatul Valley, Julian, Lake Morena, Lawson Valley, Lee Valley, Lyons Valley, Mount Laguna, Ocotillo Wells, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Pine Valley, Potrero, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley, Sunshine Summit, Tecate and Warner Springs.
- Form #1 - Damage Assessment Form
- Form #2 - Personnel Resources Check-In
- Form #2 - Personnel Resources Check-In (CERT Mutual Aid)
- Form #3 - Assignment Tracking Log
- Form #4.a - Briefing Assignment
- Form #4.b - Team Action Log
- Form #4.b - Team Action Log with Lines Insert
- Form #5 - Survivor Treatment Area
- Form #6 - Communication Log (ICS 309)
- Form #7 - Equipment Inventory (ICS 303)
- Form #8 - General Message (ICS 213)
- Form Usage Descriptions
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Are you apart of a local community group that would like to host a CERT outreach activity, training, or Listos Aware & Prepare course? If so, please contact the San Diego County Fire CERT Coordinator:
Teresa Greenhalgh
Phone: (619) 857-8050
Email: Teresa.Greenhalgh@sdcounty.ca.gov
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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).
California Wildfire Mitigation Program - Home Hardening Initiative
Currently accepting applications (from Dulzura Residents only at this time).
The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is a pilot program put together by CAL OES and CAL FIRE, and is funded in part by FEMA to support California homeowners with protecting their property from wildfire damage through defensible space and home retrofitting.
Dulzura applicants please apply here: wildfiremitigation.caloes.ca.gov
The communities that have been selected in San Diego County to pilot the California Wildfire Mitigation Program over the next three years are Dulzura (2023), Potrero (TBD), and Campo (TBD). Currently the California Wildfire Mitigation grant program is only accepting applications from the community of Dulzura.
The California Wildfire Mitigation Program is a partnership between California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and local communities that focuses on developing community home hardening programs to retrofit, harden, and create defensible space for homes at high risk to wildfires.
San Diego County was prioritized as a potential demonstration county after conducting a state-wide analysis of areas with high wildfire risk and high social vulnerability at the parcel and census-tract level. Fire risk, climate change, and census data were included in the analysis.
The five social vulnerability factors prioritized in the State enabling legislation for this program include: residents over age 65, residents in poverty, residents with a disability, residents with limited English, and residents without a car. Percentages were obtained from Center for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (2018) and only include census tracts in the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Project areas within San Diego County were selected with input of local representatives but were required to be areas that are Wildland Interface Areas, High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and contained census tracts with high social vulnerability populations. Other factors include those inputs required for the Benefit Costs Analysis required of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant program, such as home values, replacement costs, and burn recurrence intervals for the areas.
It is important to note that during the pilot phase of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program development, demonstration communities will aim to harden a small number of homes. In time, the program could be expanded to include other areas.
For more information, please visit the links below.
You may also call 858-974-5929 or send an email to HomeHardening.SanDiego@sdcounty.ca.gov.
San Diego County Fire Protection District Safe Swimming Program
Why: To help raise awareness and prevent drownings, the San Diego County Fire Protection District is giving out free pool alarms to interested residents that have an above or in ground pool/spa at their residence. For more information, watch the Pool Alarm Video
When: The alarm will be delivered to the applicant’s residence and valuable education will be offered by County Fire personnel.
Who: Eligible residents (insert address in map below) are those who live in the San Diego County Fire Protection District or Deer Springs Fire Protection District and who have an above or below ground pool or spa. This is a first come first service program, limited quantities are available.
How to apply: Fill out an Application Form (pdf). Included in the
Application Form is a Pool Alarm Use Agreement that requires signature
by the property owner or the property occupant, whichever is
applicable to you. Once the Application Form is complete and the Pool
Alarm Use Agreement is signed, return the documents to the Community
Risk Reduction Division either:
Email to: FireCRR@sdcounty.ca.gov
Mail to: San Diego County Fire Protection District
Attn: Pool Alarm Program
5560 Overland Avenue, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92123
A County Fire team member will contact you within five business days of receiving your application.
Eligible Residents are located in San Diego County Fire Protection and Deer Springs Fire Protection District
(blue area of map)
Click the Image for interactive map (PDF).
Contact Information
Frequently asked questions
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Who qualifies for this program?
Eligible residents are those who live in the San Diego County Fire Protection District or Deer Springs Fire Protection District (see map above) and who have an above or below ground pool or spa.
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What can you expect when the item is delivered to your home?
This is an opportunity for a County Fire specialist to discuss best practices to prevent drowning with the household, which can include learning the basics of swimming and water safety, supervising closely, installing fences that fully enclose pools, knowing CPR, and for added measure, installing a pool alarm.
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What product is being offered through this program?
The device is the Pool Patrol Model PA-30. It is an alarm with a battery-operated remote receiver designed to sound an alarm should a child or pet fall into a pool. This model sounds the alarm at the site of the alarm and where the remote receiver is placed (up to 200 feet). The Pool Patrol has wave detecting technology designed to protect loved ones and keep your pool safe and enjoyable. The Pool Patrol floats on the pool surface and will activate when children or pets (15 lbs. or more) fall into the pool, creating a wave. The PA-30 will sound a clear warning alarm at the pool (PA-30 location) and sound an alarm remotely where the remote receiver(s) are placed. A more detailed product description can be found in the application form.
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How do I determine if I am eligible for this program?
Is there an above or in-ground pool or spa at your residence? If the answer is YES, then please proceed to review the map above to verify that your home is in the eligibility area. If you live in the area shaded in blue, you are eligible!
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What should I have prepared when you come to deliver and install the
swimming pool alarm in my pool/spa?
Just be prepared to learn! A County Fire specialist will teach you how to use the device as well as best practices to prevent drowning. An individual that is 18 or older will need to be present, but we’d encourage any members of the household to be there to benefit from the education. County Fire will supply a 9-volt alkaline battery that is needed to operate the alarm. The remote wireless receiver is powered by a 120-volt A.C. wall transformer.
Additional Resources
· Download County Fire’s Pool Alarm Program Flyer (English)
· Descargue el volante del programa de alarma para albercas del Condado de San Diego (Spanish)
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County Fire’s Pool Alarm Program Video
The CRR Division supports the communities we serve by our involvement with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Grants Program, various community outreach opportunities, and by promoting local events aimed at creating safe and livable communities.
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