SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Office of Emergency Services (OES) is urging San Diegans to fill out a personal disaster plan to prepare for emergencies, especially wildfires.
"We did a survey a couple years ago and found that 50 percent of residents in San Diego County said they are prepared to evacuate their home in less than 15 minutes," said Holly Porter, OES director. "We think we can do better than that."
The Personal Disaster Plan template will be mailed out to approximately 200,000 homes and 5,000 businesses in high-fire risk areas next week.
The template has been redesigned and updated to cover all emergency hazards. It also includes a page for emergency contacts to be filled out and information about where utilities are located and how to shut them off if needed.
Throughout the booklet, there are several helpful tips about what you and your family should do during different emergencies and the terminology commonly used by different departments during disasters.
Wildfires are the biggest disaster risk in San Diego County, and with next week being the anniversary of two of the most destructive fires the county has been through, officials feel the timing is right to remind everyone to have a plan in place.
"Preparing for any disaster includes creating a disaster plan," said Nick Schuler, CFO Deputy Chief at Cal Fire El Cajon. "The plan will help address all the individual steps to take before during and after a wildfire."
Click here if you do not live in a high fire risk area but would still like a disaster plan template.
