The city of Pacifica is serious about your safety.

The recent Napa earthquake was a stark reminder of the need for Pacificans to remain prepared at all times. Acting Police Chief Joe Spanheimer of the Pacifica Police Department engages the citizens of Pacifica on a regular basis, and signs have emerged that perhaps people in this community may not be as prepared as they need to be. The city of Pacifica’s Emergency Preparedness and Safety Commission is spearheading a campaign to educate residents, and to keep the community safe.

“There is a need for a more proactive approach. People need to remember the basics. You need to educate yourself, know your neighborhood, and always be prepared for up to 72 hours. When dealing with disasters and emergencies, it can take up to 72 hours in order to receive assistance from one of the local agencies,” Spanheimer said.

Spanheimer is a city staff representative on the Emergency Preparedness and Safety Commission. When and if there is an emergency or disaster in Pacifica, he would assist in coordinating with local police, fire, and public works. The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department would be cooperating with the Red Cross and San Mateo County Human Services should shelters need to be established.

“Pacifica has a wealth of programs related to disaster response; however, we need to improve the knowledge level of the community as well,” said Spanheimer.

Spanheimer is deeply involved with planning for major components of the response system currently in place. This would include resources such as CERT, SMC Alert, and “Map Your Neighborhood,” which are geared toward educating people about disaster preparedness and emergency response.

“These programs not only work toward preparing us for disasters. They are also the engine which drives our effort to keep the public informed, educated, and involved.”

Spanheimer highlights the CERT and the “Map Your Neighborhood” programs in particular. Each of these programs calls for everyday citizens to become directly involved with the city’s emergency response plan.

“These programs allow for us to train and certify people who possess special skills which would prove to be extremely helpful in the event of a disaster. The CERT program trains people in the areas of fire safety, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, disaster preparedness, and terrorism response. The “Map Your Neighborhood” program takes this effort a step further by allowing citizens to create a foundation for working with one another effectively in order to combat a situation.”

The unique characteristic of the programs available in Pacifica is the way in which they call upon the citizenry to become an essential piece of the response plan.

“The neighbors get to know one another and learn to trust each other. They learn about what each person can offer during a situation and also who in the community might be in need of extra assistance. The fact is that the public can be our greatest resource.”

SMC Alert or San Mateo County Alert is an additional, valuable resource for Pacifica residents. Alerts can be sent to a smartphone, notifying individuals of hazards, road closures, and other important information for the area.

The City of Pacifica’s Emergency Preparedness and Safety Commission website provides links to information for all of these available programs and resources. The web address for this sight is www.cityofpacifica.org/government/committees/emergency_preparedness_n_safety_commission/default.asp. A visit to the Pacifica Police Department would also provide access to any and all information.

“If we learn to work together and to become better informed, we will be able to take on the potential challenges of a possible emergency.”

Thanks to the efforts of the city of Pacifica and its Emergency Preparedness and Safety Commission, Pacifica is clearly on the right path toward accomplishing this community goal.