Archived OES News
Printer-friendly versionMay 2010 4th Annual Wildland Fire Evacuation Drill
North County Fire Authority (NCFA) and Brisbane Office of Emergency Services will simulate an ordered evacuation of Sierra Point Road residents (between Humboldt Road and San Benito Road) on Saturday May 22nd, 2010 starting at 9am. Evacuation of Sierra Point Residents is completely voluntary, but your participation will help improve Brisbane's safety preparations. Although we are only evacuating residents on Sierra Point Road, all Brisbane residents are welcome to participate. Starting at approximately 9am, Police will start the evacuation of Sierra Point Residents using loud speakers. Listen for the evacuation order and head to either the Sierra Point Yacht club (if you choose to evacuate by car) or to the Community Park (if you choose to evacuate on foot) to be checked in at the Residential Assembly Point.
October 2009 Flu Season Starts Oct 1st
October 1st starts the beginning of flu season and this year flu season is much more complex than other years with the arrival of the H1N1 (swine) flu. It is more important than ever to stay informed and take steps to help lessen the effects of the flu in our community. There are three steps you can take to help prevent yourself and others from getting the regular (seasonal) flu or H1N1 (swine) flu.
- Get a flu shot
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid contact with sick people
There are things you can do to protect yourself and others from the flu by reading the “What’s New with the Flu” brochure from the San Mateo County Health Department.
September 2009 6th Annual National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month and this year the 5th Annual San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day, Visiting the Public Safety Pavilion at the Brisbane Day in the Park on October 3rd, visiting our Disaster Preparedness Section, and/or simply purchasing an Emergency Preparedness Kit from City Hall. Remember, each month OES will publish a tip of the month to help you with Emergency Preparedness tips.
May 2009 3rd Annual Wildland Fire Evacuation Drill
North County Fire Authority (NCFA) and the City's Office of Emergency Services (OES) will simulate an ordered evacuation of Humboldt Road Residents (between Solano Road and Glen Park Way) starting at 9AM on Saturday May 16, 2009. Participation is completely voluntary and if you choose to participate, please follow the directions of the public safety personnel and drive to the Residential Assembly Point located near the Sierra Point Yacht Club at the Sierra Point Marina. Should you need to evacuate on foot, there will be an assembly point at the Community Park, along with transportation to the Residential Assembly Point at the Marina.
April 2009 Swine Flu Information
The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of April 28 there have been 64 laboratory confirmed cases in the United States; 11 of which, San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services (SMC OES) reports, are in California. There have been no reported cases in the Bay Area or San Mateo County. SMC OES is working closely with the State and CDC, along with neighboring counties to slow the spread of the swine flu. The presentation of the swine flu is very similar to regular seasonal flu (fever, sore throat, cough, congestion, and muscle aches). We must all continue to take the same preventative measures we took during this past seasonal flu
- Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Cough or sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid contact with sick people. Influenza in spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Stay home when you are sick or wear a mask when out in public.
For more up-to-date information on the swine flu you can check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website and/or by visiting San Mateo County Health Department's website.
April is Earthquake Preparedness Month
This month's devastating earthquake in Italy, along with the earthquake we encountered here in the Bay Area in March, reminds us of the importance of being prepared for an earthquake here in Brisbane. Are you prepared if we had an earthquake tomorrow? Visit our news section and learn about getting a kit and making a plan. You can also visit our specific disaster section and learn about earthquake safety. Here are 10 simple things to think about when preparing for an earthquake:
- Have an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your home, car, and at work.
- Decide where your family will reunite if separated.
- Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers.
- Choose an out of area contact person for your family to report their whereabouts and conditions to. It may be easier to contact an out of area person than it would be to contact a local person if phone lines are busy or down.
- Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity in case lines are damaged.
- Keep breakable heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Secure your water heater and appliances that could move.
- Learn the safe spots in your home; under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls.
- Learn the danger spots in your home; windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fire places, and tall furniture.
- Conduct practice drills. Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" and physically place your and your family in safe locations. Put your family plan to the test and make sure it works for your family. If not, make necessary adjustments.
March 2009 Earthquake shakes Bay Area
A moderate earthquake shook Northern California today, March 30, at 10:40am. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured a magnitude of 4.3 and centered 11 miles north of the City of Morgan Hill and 16 miles east-southeast of San Jose City Hall. Please read the News Release from San Mateo County OES on Practical Emergency Survival Tips.
October 2008
October 1st marks the beginning of another flu season. The best prevention of spreading the flu is frequent hand washing. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and avoid contact with people who are sick. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and place your tissue in the trash. View the checklist from the San Mateo County Health Department on things you can do to protect yourself and others from the flu.
Office of Emergency Services will be at "Day in the Park"
Brisbane Office of Emergency Services will be participating at this years Day in the Park. We will be teaming with Brisbane Police Department, North County Fire Authority, Brisbane Community Emergency Volunteers, Red Cross, and San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services to provide information about Emergency Preparedness. Come to the Community Park in Brisbane October 4th 10am-5pm.
September 2008
September is National Preparedness Month
This September marks the 5th annual San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day Fair, City of Brisbane's Office of Emergency Services National Preparedness Month Presentation on September 24th at Mission Blue, purchasing Emergency Preparedness Kits from City Hall, and visiting the City of Brisbane's Office of Emergency Services webpage to learn how to prepare yourself for possible disasters. You can also view the following four 5 minute instructional video's on emergency preparedness:
Ready America's Instructional Video
Ready American's with Disabilities
August 2008
Learning to be your Own Best Defense in a Disaster
How prepared are you for an emergency? Whether it's taking part in a fire drill, listening to the flight attendant's safety talk, or putting together an emergency preparedness kit, there are several simple steps we can all take to improve our odds in an emergency.
June 2008
Due to the recent Quarry Road fire on San Bruno Mountain, City Staff and Public Safety Personnel will hold a Community Incident Debrief at 9am on Saturday June 28, 2008 at the Sierra Point Marina; 500 Sierra Point Parkway (west of Sierra Point Yacht Club). All members of the community are requested to participate. Lowes Home Improvement will be present to educate residents on California Native Drought Tolerant Fire Safe Plants and their use in creating defensible space.
April 2008
California Earthquake Preparedness Month
During the month of April, which is Earthquake Preparedness Month, The Office of Emergency Services, would like to encourage organizations, individuals, and families to have a disaster plan in place. Visit our Disaster Preparedness Section to learn more about creating a disaster plan and our Specific Disaster Section to learn about preparing for an Earthquake. Along with The Red Cross, we recommend that everyone have an Emergency Preparedness Kit at home, in your car, and at your work and office.
January 2008
Resolve to be Ready in 2008
To assist with its theme of preparedness in 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security now has four 3-5 minute instructional videos available for viewing on its website: Older Americans, Ready Pets, Americans with Disabilities, and Ready America.
October 2007
October 1st is the start of flu season and lasts until Spring Time. The best prevention is frequent hand-washing. Take a few minutes to learn how to properly wash your hands to help prevent the spread of the flu at home and work. Click here to view the San Mateo County Public Health Department's influenza preparedness guide.
September 2007
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. Throughout September, The Office of Emergency Services is encouraging organizations, individuals, and families to prepare themselves by attending events such as the San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day Fair, purchasing Emergency Preparedness Kits from City Hall, and visiting the City of Brisbane's Office of Emergency Services webpage to learn how to prepare yourself for possible threats.
3rd Annual San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day is September 29, 2007, 10am - 2 pm, at the SMC Event Center. Survival Do's and Don'ts, First-Aid, Police, Fire, School-Site Emergency Plans & Emergency Equipment Demonstrations. Fire, Earthquake, Flood, Terrorism - Is Your Family Ready? Free gifts for the first 1,200 families!!
July 2007
Wildland Fire Evacuation Drill
The City of Brisbane's Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services will be simulating an ordered evacuation of Kings Road residents on July 28th, 2007 from 9am - noon. Participation is completely voluntary but we do encourage you to participate. Look for your "Operation Wildfire" brochure in the mail.
June 2007
Disturbing News
A recent article in Government Technology's publication, Emergency Management, reported that only 7% of the population has taken the three steps the Red Cross considers necessary to be prepared for an emergency:
get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.
Some more surprising results from this poll of 2,500 respondents:
- 90% of Americans who have a disaster kit feel prepared. Yet only 28% actually have a kit.
- 60% of American households have a pet, yet only 37% have a plan for their pets during a disaster.
So, knowing all this, what can you do?
Please take the time to prepare your family for the disaster we can only hope never arrives. Remember, Red Cross 3-Day Emergency Preparedness Kits are available for purchase at a discounted rate to Brisbane citizens and employees of Brisbane businesses. Just stop on by City Hall!
April 2007
For more information on how to prepare yourself and your family in the event of an earthquake, please visit any or all of the first 6 sites listed under
"Useful Links."
January 2007
Cold Weather News Release from the State OES
Take action to protect yourself and your family against severe cold and freezing temperatures, set to drop into the 20s and 30s Weds. & Thurs., 1/10-1/11.
See the Emergency Supplies Checklist below for more tips:
Emergency Supplies Checklist (State OES)
Community Emergency Volunteers (CEV) Brochure
Wondering how you can better serve your community in the New Year? Well, if you would like to participate in raising community awareness of emergency responses, update your training in areas of emergency operations and management, or become certified in CPR and Standard First Aid, amongst many other value-adding activities, then you might just want to contact the Brisbane Fire Department about becoming a CEV! (415) 468-7190.
December 2006
If you would like more information about what you can do to stop the flu this season, visit the San Mateo County Health Department's website.
November 2006
Winter Storm Preparedness Tips
For more information about winter storm preparedness, visit FEMA's website.
Give a hand and help to maintain one of the 400+ inlets in Brisbane!
** City residents may pick up sandbags free of charge at the City Hall parking lot, 50 Park Place.**