Office of Emergency Services

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) guides City policy and implements programs focused on disaster preparedness and response, outreach and education, and regional collaboration planning. OES is working to increase the city's preparedness through community education, by providing staff support to the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, and in coordination of the city's emergency operations planning.  The Office of Emergency Services also provides disaster service worker training for all City employees, and meets regularly with City’s designated emergency response staff to provide training and coordination. 

Also visit the City of Berkeley's gateway to online disaster preparedness information - GetReadyBerkeley.org 

Emergency Radio Communications Drill After Action Report

Twenty-six City of Berkeley neighborhood groups participated in the city-wide emergency radio communications drill on October 17, 2009. The drill was intended to allow participants to practice emergency radio communications in an exercise setting and to evaluate expectations on the use of handheld FRS/GMRS two-way radios in a disaster.  Read the After Action Report for details on what we learned.

2010 Community Emergency Supply Program Application

Application Period CLOSED

In a catastrophic earthquake, government resources (people and supplies) may not be available for several days following the event. It is essential that every household, family, apartment tenant, neighborhood and community group be prepared to survive for five to seven days on their own until utilities and services can be restored.  The Community Emergency Supply Program awards a limited number of qualifying neighborhoods or organizations an initial emergency cache of equipment and a container for storage.  However, just as preparedness is not achieved through supplies and equipment alone, the program's primary aim is to foster awareness and to provide neighbors and community organizations a goal for a minimum level of readiness to attain.

Based on the baseline level of readiness described in the program, many Berkeley citizens are already gathering their own supplies and equipment, attending the CERT trainings and meeting regularly.  Neighborhoods and community organizations are encouraged to review the application whether they are just beginning their preparation effort and whether or not they meet the minimum requirements and intend to apply in the current year.  Now has always been a good time to get better prepared.

The application period for the 2010 program opens October 17th, 2009 and closes on January 29th, 2010. 

Download the application here:  2010 Community Emergency Supply Program Application (PDF 200 kilobytes)

Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Classes

Berkeley's CERT training will help prepare participants for an emergency situation in which the usual emergency responders are overwhelmed during the first hours or days following a disaster and are unable to attend to everyone needing help.  By preparing the community in basic emergency skills we can lessen the effects of a disaster and sustain ourselves until assistance can arrive. 

Introduction

The Office of Emergency Services offers free training in emergency preparedness to anyone who lives or works in Berkeley. You must be 18 or older to participate.  Appropriate and comfortable clothing should be worn and closed-toed shoes are required.

Classes are held at the Fire Department Training Center at 997 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.

For questions please email oes@ci.berkeley.ca.us or call 510-981-5605.

Click here for the Berkeley CERT schedule of classes and to find out how to enroll.