Is Your Property at risk for Wildfires? Do you have a Defensible Space?
Many properties in El Cerrito are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone including those near large wildland areas containing steep slopes and naturally growing trees, brush and grasses. Maintaining a defensible space can dramatically increase the chance of your home surviving a wildfire. Read about how to create and maintain a defensible space around your home, including plant recommendations.
Community Emergency Response Teams (C.E.R.T.)
You will learn to be prepared and to respond in an earthquake, wildfire, or other disaster in the comprehensive CERT Training Course (formerly known as the NEAT program). Prepare yourself with the skills to put out a fire, rescue a trapped victim, perform medical triage, and more. This course could save your life, and its free.read more
2010 Tri-City Safety Day
The El Cerrito/Kensington and Albany Fire Departments' annual Tri-City Safety Day at the El Cerrito Plaza is set for
September 18, 2010, at the El Cerrito Plaza (in front of Lucky) from 11:00a.m. until 3:00p.m.. It is a great annual event that brings many of our surrounding agencies together to promote safety and inform the public about the many different services that we provide. We are expecting Richmond Fire, Kensington Fire and Police, The Red Cross, Albany Fire, El Cerrito Police and Fire Departments, and others to be in attendance. There will be engines, trucks, Hazmat vehicles, Police cruisers and motorcycles on display. There will be free child car seat installations, CERT (community emergency response team) sign ups and the Safety Trailer which teaches kids about residental fire drills.
Free Smoke Detectors For Elderly, Disabled And Low-Income Residents
With support from Home Depot, the City's Fire Department offers free smoke detectors to elderly, disabled, and low-income El Cerrito and Kensington residents.The department's goal is to have a working smoke detector in every home.
For more information call the Fire Department at 215-4450 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
See more pictures of the El Cerrito Fire Department in action in our photo gallery.
CPR/Basic First Aid
The El Cerrito/Kensington Fire Department offers CPR/Basic First Aid classes. Space is limited & registration is required. For dates and details, download the
2010 CPR schedule(PDF, 36Kb)
Loma Prieta Revisited on KCRT
The City of El Cerrito recently partnered with KCRT to produce "Loma Prieta Revisited". Karen Grassle (star of Little House on the Prairie) narrates the film and also conducted the interviews with local residents and members of ECFD who recount their Loma Prieta earthquake experience.
"Loma Prieta Revisited" is also available to student groups, service organizations, clubs and neighborhoods interested in disaster preparedness. Contact CERT Program Coordinator Battalion Chief Dave Gibson at 510-215-4450 for more details.
In Memory of Dave Garrett Fire Engineer David Garrett passed away in March of 2009. A twenty year veteran of the ECFD, Dave was known and loved by all for his good humor, fantastic cooking and larger than life presence.
The family has established the Tiaira Garrett Education Trust to support his daughter. To contribute to trust fund, please visit or send donations to:
Mechanics Bank
9996 San Pablo Avenue,
El Cerrito, CA 94530
