Experts and first responders to share wildfire safety tips at free San Mateo event on April 26
San Mateo County, California – The need of being ready has never been more urgent as wildfires are becoming more common and destructive. Aiming to provide locals with the knowledge and skills they need to manage wildfire situations, the San Mateo County Event Center is scheduled to present an educational program called “Be Wildfire Safe & Ready” on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fiesta Hall.
Given the recent devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles region, the community has expressed growing concerns and a demand for customized preparedness plans fit for their particular situation. The Director of San Mateo County Emergency Management, Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, highlighted the need of being proactive rather than reactive.
“In the wake of the Los Angeles area wildfires, our residents have raised a lot of questions in case something similar would happen in our area,” said Dr. Dhapodkar.
“I’ve heard interest in how to prepare a Go Bag, when and how to evacuate, how to prepare your children, what about one’s pets and what if you have limited mobility, for instance. We’re going to have first responders and experts on hand to answer those questions and much more,” Dhapodkar said.
Focusing on on useful advice and firsthand experience from first responders and wildfire safety specialists, the event offers a mix of planned presentations and casual discussions. One of the main highlights will be the demonstrations on how to create a functional Go Bag, which is a necessary part for rapid evacuation. Furthermore, the professionals will share ideas on protecting houses and being prepared both mentally and physically for a wildfire.
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The event is free for admission, including parking, hence it is reachable to a large audience. The planners intend to arrange resource tables with other tools and information required for wildfire safety and readiness. These materials are meant to enable participants customize emergency plans to fit their particular family or neighborhood requirements.
More information on the event will be revealed in the next weeks, including a schedule of the daily events and a list of the speakers. San Mateo residents and those in the neighboring areas are encouraged to attend this important educational opportunity. The community wants to create a more resilient ecosystem against the threat of wildfires through the use of sufficient knowledge and preparation.
