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2021 Fire Season Evacuation Community Drill
OCT. 8-9 CITYWIDE VIRTUAL DRILL: LEAVING FOR EXTREME FIRE WEATHER, EVACUATING FOR FIRESTORM Use tools, practice sessions to prepare and then test your plan using a real-time fire scenario Berkeley's Office of Emergency Services will be organizing a Community Drill in several parts: 10/7: Virtual practice drill 10/8: Practice on your own 10/9: Citywide drill […]
Find out more »Ongoing
Town Hall Meeting on public safety with Fire and Police
Council person Susan Wengraf: "Every year I hold a forum on fire safety and crime. This year I will be combining the two, with the first half dedicated to fire danger and fire safety issues, and the second half to crime and public safety matters. The meeting will be co-hosted by Council member Hahn who […]
Find out more »BDPNN: What We Do That CERT Doesn’t
How does BDPNN (Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network) go beyond CERT? BDPNN is a nonprofit organization in Berkeley aimed at supporting overall community preparedness. Together BDPNN and CERT volunteers create a broad network of training and support for disaster preparedness. BDPNN board members Lynn Zummo and Dave Peattie will share the history of BDPNN, its mentorship program, and its expanded outreach to […]
Find out more »Berkeley Disaster and Fire Safety Commission monthly meeting
Participates in the review of emergency, disaster and mutual aid plans and agreements and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding legislation and regulations needed to implement such plans and agreements. The Commission is also empowered to register disaster workers.
Find out more »BDPNN General Meeting
Topic: Evacuation Routes Speakers: Steven Glasier with Berkeley Pathwanders and Keith May, Assistant Chief for Special Operations/Berkeley Fire Department
Find out more »Disaster Prep Townhall
District 3 Council Rep Ben Bartlett and BDPNN and Church by the Side of the Road invite you to come learn what resources are available to help you, your family, and your neighbors get prepared for disasters. BFD firetruck on hand! Free food, drinks, and an emergency supply giveaway!
Find out more »Solano Stroll
Join us at our booth at the Solano Stroll, located on the NE corner of Colusa@Solano!
Find out more »Berkeley’s Changing Ground: Volcanoes, Landslides, and the Hayward Fault
Berkeley Path Wanderers present Berkeley's Changing Ground: The Hayward Fault, Landslides, and Volcanoes Andrew Alden Start: Codornices Park Playground The steep residential hills of North Berkeley owe their picturesque qualities to three great geological forces: tectonism (earthquake faulting), mass wasting (landslides), and volcanism (lava flows). Andrew, who has a blog that focuses on East Bay geology and is […]
Find out more »The Big One was Yesterday—What Do I Do Today?
City of Berkeley's OES resident disaster management specialist, Jennifer Lazo,will talk with us about what to do after you've all met at your neighborhood spot, the immediate injuries are attended to, fires are being handled as best as you can. Now what? How do you get through the next days, weeks or even months?
Find out more »BDPNN General Assembly | Red Cross Shelters
Richard Fateman of the Red Cross will discuss how the Red Cross plans and execute disaster response shelters, and what the specific needs and hurdles are for Berkeley. Come with your questions!
Find out more »“Lessons from the Sonoma Fires: What Can Berkeley Learn”
As tragic as the Napa/Sonoma/Santa Rosa wildfires were, many areas of the Sonoma Valley were spared due to the low fuel load presence of the vineyards, and they provide extremely valuable lessons for us. The communities of the East Bay are the closest urban areas to natural areas with the rating of "highest wildfire risk" […]
Find out more »Animal Disaster Preparedness and First Aid
Jenny Wenk has been a Registered Veterinary Technician who worked in both private veterinary clinics and with East Bay Humane Society. She is a volunteer for Berkeley Animal Care Services and is the current Chair of the City's Personnel Board. She has 3 totally adorable (most of the time) cats (as she describes them). She […]
Find out more »The Great Shakeout
The ShakeOut is a worldwide earthquake drill that provides everyone the opportunity to practice taking protective actions during an earthquake. The goal of the event is to create an interactive environment that will showcase important earthquake preparedness and safety resources for the Berkeley community and share earthquake readiness information with the media throughout the Bay […]
Find out more »Community-Based Disaster Prep Demo Fair
A public community-based event to demonstrate that a cohesive and resilient community is the best beginning to prepare for and respond to a disaster. This will be a family-friendly event, with a focus on seniors and people with disabilities. Giveaways! Raffles! Games! Food! Program: A grass-roots effort planned and executed by a coalition of community […]
Find out more »Disaster Mental Health
One of the most lasting and damaging effects of a disaster is the trauma to one's mental and emotional health, for those experiencing the disaster and to first responders. Post-disaster mental trauma can be substantial; one study estimates the prevalence of PTSD at 30–40% among direct victims, 10–20% among rescue workers, and 5–10% in the […]
Find out more »BeCERTAINN: Repeater Radio Communications in a Disaster
How do we communicate in a large-scale emergency when traditional systems have been disrupted? Geoff Lomax, one of the co-founders of BeCERTAINN, discusses an exciting new communication tool using "walkie talkies" for residents in the City of Berkeley. BeCERTAINN's goal is to connect CERT Teams (neighborhood groups) to each other to improve our collective disaster […]
Find out more »Berkeley Ready: Get Prepped for a Quake
Learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake with tips for everyone in your household. FREE giveaways for attendees: snacks, mini-disaster kits, and emergency prep brochures.
Find out more »City-wide Activation Drill (with BeCERTAINN)
On May 4 (9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.) you can participate in a citywide (and beyond!) disaster drill! Local disaster preparedness and emergency response teams will be conducting an “activation exercise.” Participants will include individuals, neighborhood CERT teams, and city-wide organizations involved in disaster response and preparedness. Participating individuals, groups, and organizations will have the […]
Find out more »Surviving Wildfires!
We have put together a panel of speakers to talk about steps you can take to prepare for and respond to a wildfire, including an update on home fire insurance, tailoring your evacuation checklist to your specific needs, and tips on evacuation. After a brief presentation from each of the following presenters, there'll be a […]
Find out more »6:30 pm
Creating a Citywide Network of Community HUBS for Disaster Response
After a disaster, our traditional communication tools go down — but our need to connect with one another only rises. How can we make sure Berkeley communities can communicate and organize efficiently after a disaster? At this BDPNN quarterly meeting, you’ll hear about one simple and powerful idea that cities like Portland and Seattle are […]
Find out more »11:00 am
Community Day! (7th annual)
Event sponsored by Covenant Church’s Social Worker Ministry, City Help Community Services, the Berkeley Unified School District’s Office of Family Engagement and Equity, and Supply.org. There will be non-profit organizations offering community resource information, vendors, activities for children, games, free blood pressure checks, free mammograms, free haircuts, raffles, and free community lunch.
Find out more »10:00 am
East Bay Community Emergency Prep Fair
A public community-based event to demonstrate that a cohesive and resilient community is the best beginning to prepare for and respond to a disaster. This will be a family-friendly event, with a focus on seniors and people with disabilities. A grass-roots effort planned and executed by a coalition of community groups and individuals, featuring demonstrations of disaster […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Are you prepared for flooding in Berkeley?
At the January CERT Volunteer Meeting Bill Springer will discuss FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, climate change impacts for more high intensity rain storms resulting in the potential for more floods over more areas, how to protect your home, and flood insurance. Bill Springer is a Berkeley resident, P.E., Certified Floodplain Manager, and CERT Instructor. […]
Find out more »6:30 pm
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE?
Albany CERT member and CERT trainer Sam Freeman will present a seminar on alternatives to utility powered appliances and alternative power sources such as generators, batteries, and solar energy. Some of the topics that will be covered are: Planned vs unplanned power outages Determining your emergency power needs. What alternative cooking, lighting, communications, and other […]
Find out more »POSTPONED! FREE Go-Kit Giveaway for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Postponed. If you signed up, you'll still be eligible. Details to come. Sign up ONLINE!
Find out more »7:00 pm
COVID-19 Zoom community meeting
Here's a link to the Zoom video recording for those who missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZBv_JNxonA Here's a link to the agenda and notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UUSk7YJsoYsRRFbRuwgydh4J_9Ae3scdAdJDjqGRz3g/edit?usp=sharing We hope that you are surviving the realities of sheltering-in-place, and that you and yours are staying healthy ... physically, mentally, and emotionally! We are planning a virtual gathering via to discuss […]
Find out more »Improvising Leadership in Disaster Response
In disaster response, leaders need to think fast, integrate new information, formulate unique solutions, and act in the face of uncertainty. In other words - improvise! Bringing together research on the reality of improvisation in disaster response with experiential activities, this online (Zoom) workshop supports individuals and groups taking steps to become stronger improvising leaders. […]
Find out more »8:00 am
September is National Preparedness Month!
Berkeley Ready has put together a great PDF of what we can do each day of September as a small but important step in better preparing for a large-scale disaster. In addition, there are two (on 9/15 and 9/29) 1-hour presentations you can attend (unfortunately each is during a weekday at 10:30 a.m.) ... you […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Vax Facts! Get your vaccine questions answered
A conversation between Dr. James Marks and Barbara Morita Vexxed by vaccinations? Join us for a Zoom conversation with Dr. James Marks (UCSF and S.F. Covid Command Center) and Barbara Morita, PA (and disaster first responder) to discuss the current state of vaccines, what’s on the horizon, and what vaccines mean for our recovery from this […]
Find out more »Community Planning Meeting for April 17 Emergency Exercise
On April 17, BeCERTAINN will host a GMRS repeater radio communications exercise. BDPNN is working to expand the exercise to the entire community to better prepare for and respond to an earthquake scenario, especially within a pandemic context! We will meet as a community to offer suggestions and to hear ideas from the community as […]
Find out more »9:00 am
BeCERTAINN Spring 2021 Emergency Radio Exercise
BeCERTAINN will be running a repeater radio exercise to practice different disaster communication operating procedures. The aim of the exercise is to have participants from the greater Berkeley area simulate the types of operational procedures that may be required after a major earthquake. For the most up-to-date information on this radio exercise, and to register, […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Measure FF: Update from the BFD
VIDEO LINK The Berkeley Fire Department will give an update on the allocation of Measure FF's funds to improve disaster preparedness. In November of 2020, Berkeley residents overwhelmingly passed Measure FF, a parcel tax to raise funds to improve Berkeley's ability to prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. Come hear BFD's David Sprague (with David McPartland) […]
Find out more »Fire Buddy Training
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/162698823561 Join Berkeley Mutual Aid (BMA) for "Wildfire Buddy" training and learn how to support someone living in a fire danger zone! All are welcome! You do NOT need to be a BMA volunteer to attend and to become a wildfire ally ! We hope to help build these skills for everyone, helping ourselves […]
Find out more »11:00 am
Fire Buddy Training
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/162699200689 Join Berkeley Mutual Aid (BMA) for "Wildfire Buddy" training and learn how to support someone living in a fire danger zone! All are welcome! You do NOT need to be a BMA volunteer to attend and to become a wildfire ally ! We hope to help build these skills for everyone, helping ourselves […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Fire Buddy Training
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/165015988263 Join Berkeley Mutual Aid (BMA) for "Wildfire Buddy" training and learn how to support someone living in a fire danger zone! All are welcome! You do NOT need to be a BMA volunteer to attend and to become a wildfire ally ! We hope to help build these skills for everyone, helping ourselves […]
Find out more »10:00 am
Escape from the Hills (Berkeley Path Wanderers)
Berkeley Path Wanderers (BPW) is leading a series of walks to familiarize Berkeley residents with some of the key paths that could be critical evacuation routes in a large-scale disaster. Escape from the Hills is 6 different hikes led by BPW guides that start at 10 a.m. (30-45 min each). Check out their online map […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Be Wildfire Ready
Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association presents ... featuring representatives from Berkeley Office of Emergency Services CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Berkeley Disaster Prep Neighborhood Network Berkeley Mutual Aid Catalyzed by the climate crisis, wildfires are now a year-round threat. Devastating examples like the Tubbs Fire demonstrate that large-scale fires are no longer limited to properties bordering […]
Find out more »3:00 pm
Disaster Shelter Fundamentals Training
The City of Berkeley Office of Emergency Services and American Red Cross are hosting an in-person, hands-on disaster shelter worker training in South Berkeley. Interested in training alongside city disaster service workers to learn how to volunteer at an evacuation center or disaster shelter after an emergency? This training will cover the basics of disaster […]
Find out more »9:00 am
Berkeley CERT Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Reservation required. Join Berkley CERT for an in-person training on Disaster Preparedness! This is the first unit in the full 8-part CERT curriculum. "CERT Disaster Preparedness" addresses specific hazards faced by people in Berkeley and covers actions that people should take before, during, and after a disaster. At the conclusion of this course, participants will […]
Find out more »7:00 pm
Monthly Berkeley Ready Disaster Preparedness Meet-Up
Berkeley Ready is hosting a monthly gathering to talk about all things disaster preparedness in the City of Berkeley. Each month will feature a guest speaker or disaster preparedness discussion topic. CERT members, neighborhood group participants, and anyone with an interest in getting more prepared for emergencies is welcome. May 10, 2023, 7-8:30pm: Monthly Meet-up […]
Find out more »Berkeley CERT Unit 1: Disaster Preparedness
Reservation required. Join Berkley CERT for an in-person training on Disaster Preparedness! This is the first unit in the full 8-part CERT curriculum. "CERT Disaster Preparedness" addresses specific hazards faced by people in Berkeley and covers actions that people should take before, during, and after a disaster. At the conclusion of this course, participants will […]
Find out more »9:00 am
Help survey Berkeley’s walking paths
Every 5 years the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association sponsors a path survey and compiles the observations into their Paths Condition Report, which guides path improvements, such as adding handrails. Please volunteer to help conduct this year’s survey the morning of Sunday, May 21. They've planned fun hiking routes and encourage you to team up with friends, […]
Find out more »Berkeley CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization
Reservation required. Join Berkley CERT for an in-person training on CERT Organization! This is the second unit in the full 8-part CERT curriculum. "CERT Organization" covers the Incident Command System, a standardized framework used by emergency response agencies to manage emergency operations. When a CERT activates, it becomes part of that system. This training will […]
Find out more »4:30 pm
Civic Arts Workshop: Emergency Planning and Business Insurance for Artists
Registration required. Emergency Planning and Business Insurance for Artists is an interactive session for artists looking to protect the health and safety of themselves, their studios, and their art businesses. Whether you're recovering from a recent disaster or looking to prevent one in the future, this training will help you secure your studio and get […]
Find out more »6:00 pm
Berkeley CERT Unit 2: CERT Organization
Reservation required. Join Berkley CERT for an in-person training on CERT Organization! This is the second unit in the full 8-part CERT curriculum. "CERT Organization" covers the Incident Command System, a standardized framework used by emergency response agencies to manage emergency operations. When a CERT activates, it becomes part of that system. This training will […]
Find out more »10:00 am
Landscaping for Wildfire Resilience
Registration required. The Theodore Payne Foundation in Southern California is offering a free Zoom seminar on garden design and maintenance to help protect homes in high-risk fire areas. This program will introduce you to the basics of wildfire through the lens of California native plants and offer easy actions you can take at home to […]
Find out more »12:30 pm
Civic Arts Workshop: Arts Organizations Preparedness 101
Registration required. Arts Organizations Preparedness 101 identifies the hazards that are most likely to impact your organization’s operations and programming. Participants will begin to craft a business continuity plan which includes communication planning, protecting critical assets, and personal safety.
Find out more »8:00 am
Listos Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
Reservation required. The LISTOS program is comprised of a series of discussions which: Are organized by community members for the benefit of their own community Present the basic ideas for preparation in a series of consecutive discussions Empower participants to educate their own personal contacts Consider cultural sensitivities and time constraints This workshop utilizes an […]
Find out more »4:30 pm
Civic Arts Workshop: Emergency Relief Funding and How to Access It
Registration required. Planning for disasters and emergencies often takes time and resources that aren’t currently available and often out of reach. Not taking the time to upgrade your safety equipment, document your work or other safeguarding activities could result in harsher circumstances to recover from following a disaster. This session will cover tactics to identify […]
Find out more »2:00 pm
NETAP Training: Older Concrete Buildings: Understanding the Seismic Risk and Making a Mitigation Plan (CA)
Registration required. Many concrete buildings were constructed prior to the enactment of modern seismic provisions in building codes, and some of these non-ductile concrete buildings are prone to sudden collapse in earthquakes. One effective path to mitigating the seismic risk of non-ductile concrete buildings is to identify all older concrete buildings using a building inventory, […]
Find out more »9:00 am
Berkeley CERT Unit 5: Disaster Mental Health
Reservation required. Join Berkley CERT for an in-person training on Disaster Mental Health. CERT volunteers and emergency responders encounter things during a disaster that are unpleasant and uncomfortable. In responding to both natural disasters and acts of violence, CERT volunteers must be prepared to deal with the psychological effects of the trauma. These may include […]
Find out more »6:30 pm
Berkeley OES: Wildfire Evacuation Workshop – Building your Fire Weather Plan
Reservation required. Wildfires are now more frequent, destructive, and fast-moving than ever. Berkeley residents must change how we prepare and respond. This Berkeley Office of Emergency Services workshop will focus on the Household Fire Weather Plan. Participants should complete their Household Fire Weather Plan with their family before the workshop. During the workshop we will […]
Find out more »1:00 pm
NETAP Training: FEMA P-50 & P-50-1, Simplified Seismic Assessment and Retrofit Guidelines of Detached, Single-Family, Wood-Frame Dwellings
Registration required. This web-based training addresses seismic assessment and retrofit of detached single-family wood-frame dwellings. The simplified assessment methodology uses a six-page form to assign each dwelling a structural score based on observed dwelling characteristics, a seismic hazard score based on dwelling location and site hazards, and a resulting Seismic Performance Grade between A and […]
Find out more »10:00 am
NETAP Training: Building Codes – Why They Matter
Registration required. Building codes are regulations governing design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of structures. They are the foundation for community resilience. This free, web-based training will provide an overview of the building code pertaining to earthquake effects on buildings and underline the importance of code adoption and enforcement. This web-based training also highlights why this […]
Find out more »6:30 pm
Disaster Preparedness: Back to Basics and Back in Person!
Click here for a PDF of Bill Springer's Powerpoint presentation. Click here for a PDF of Bill's "Hot Links"! Berkeley Disaster Prep Neighborhood NETWORK is back at the BFUU Church (corner of Bonita and Cedar avenues). Reconnect at our first in-person event since the pandemic began! See details and register on Eventbrite. Bill Springer, Berkeley […]
Find out more »10:00 am
Fire Ready Fest
Mark your calendars and join BerkeleyReady for a community fire preparedness event and the centennial commemoration of the 1923 Berkeley Fire. There is no registration is required to attend. This is a free, accessible community event for all ages where you can: Enjoy games and participate in interactive fire prevention fun including fire safety demonstrations Learn about […]
Find out more »11:00 am
Harvest Festival
Join the City of Berkeley for the annual Harvest Festival, a chance to honor the Fall season with live music and kids' activities. The Festival also features a Food Contest to celebrate our City's thriving culture of growing and making our own food. Register for the Food Contest. Children will have tons of fun at […]
Find out more »6:30 pm
Disaster Prep Tech
Come join us for a series of short (10 min.) presentations on various disaster prep tech, such as: Helpful apps to keep on your cellphone to support your emergency notifications, disaster planning, and situational awareness Portable solar power backup All-in-1 radios (with phone chargers, flashlights, etc.) GMRS repeater radios phone chargers Water purification techniques, including LifeStraw […]
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Disaster First Aid with Barbara Morita
Critical Life-Saving Measures with an Earthquake Focus (unedited) VIDEO of Barbara’s presentation now available on Youtube. PDF of Barbara’s handout available here. Barbara calls it “Practical First Aid” and covers these topics in depth: Triage (sorting) victims Control bleeding Shock Simple splinting Moving victims Barbara includes hands-on practice and Q&A. You can check out this […]
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