Parks / Coast / Environment

Mt. Soledad Fire Preparedness Plan

On September 8, 2004, Councilmen Scott Peters and Michael Zucchet stood with fire chief Jeff Bowman to unveil the results of an in-depth fire study of Mt. Soledad and a plan to make sure Soledad residents and property are kept safe.

The Councilmen also unveiled a fire preparedness and emergency plan that will be implemented over the next several months to reduce the risk of fire, raise community awareness, and prepare Soledad residents for emergency situations.

“We’ve made emergency preparedness a top priority,” said Councilman Peters. “This plan will protect lives, property, and our quality of life.”

The Plan is a follows:

Step One: Create Comprehensive Defensible Spaces on Public Land

Today, Alpha project crews began clearing brush on public land near homes on Soledad Mountain. Alpha crews will work over the next several weeks to create defensible space near homes.

Step Two: Create Comprehensive Defensible Spaces on Private Land

In conjunction with brush management on public land, the public must help by clearing brush on their own property. The City of San Diego has clear instructions that will guide residents and landscapers as they proceed with this work. This information can be accessed at http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/inspections/brush.shtml.

People will receive notices asking them to appropriately clear brush on their private land. Each person must do their part to protect their beautiful neighborhoods and community.

Step Three: Establish Volunteer Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

This step will include community outreach to form a core volunteer emergency response team who will identify safety concerns and work with first responders to improve emergency preparedness. Some communities in the County already have volunteer response teams including Scripps Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe. The first community volunteer meeting will be held on Friday, October 1, 2004 at 10am at the La Jolla library.

Step Four: Identify and Evaluate Potential Safety Concerns
Step Five: Solve Identified Safety Concerns

At the first community volunteer meeting on October 1, volunteers will break into teams to discuss safety hazards that need to be identified throughout the community. Infrastructure like faded fire lanes, brush covering fire hydrants, and illegible street signs will be identified by volunteers. Once a comprehensive list is generated, the volunteers will participate in fixing those identified issues.

After being trained, CERT Team volunteers will also act as an information resource for the rest of the community on emergency response plans, evacuation routes and brush management.

“The brush clearing by Alpha Project, the education of residents nearby about the importance of brush clearing on their properties, and the protection and prevention efforts of the San Diego-Fire Rescue Department and California Department of Forestry will give Mount Soledad the best chance of escaping fire danger,” said Councilmember Zucchet.

Information:

Mt. Soledad Structure Protection Plan (PDF: 936K)
Mt. Soledad Evacuation Plan Map (PDF: 1012K)