With the constantly looming threat of wildfires in San Diego and the most recently devastating effects of the 2007 Harris, Witch Creek, and Rice fires, it is a great time to better prepare yourself for the next county emergency. Reverse 911 calling, a fairly new tool being used by the Office of Homeland Security and the city of San Diego, allows an operator to record a message and select an area based on street addresses and zip code in order to notify residents of an emergency situation.

Following the devastation of the thousands of acres that burned in San Diego, many residents in evacuated areas have complained that they were not notified of an evacuation. This was the first time the Reverse 911 calls were put to use by the city. Typically only home telephone numbers, regardless of if listed or unlisted, are called on the city dialer, leaving residents with only cell phones or Voice over IP (VoIP) short of an evacuation call from the city.

San Diego residents are encouraged to ensure that not only their correct addresses and home phone numbers are registered with the county, but also their cell phones and alternate contact numbers so that in the event that they are away from home during an emergency they can be contacted in a timely manner. Please visit SanDiego.gov to provide your address and alternate phone numbers to the city of San Diego. Information is used solely for the purpose of emergency contact services and will not be shared with a third party.

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