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

Weekday morning and evening classes have been added to the CERT schedule to help accomodate those who cannot attend on the weekends.  Please see the current schedule below for availability.

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.

Please see the schedule below for the current course offerings.  To register for courses please email oes@ci.berkeley.ca.us or call 510-981-5605 including the following information:

Name:

Address:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Class Date and Name:

I live/work (choose one or both) in Berkeley.

If attending from IFC, Panhellinic, or Co-op, provide Chapter or House name:

You will receive an email confirmation once the class has enough enrollees.

Current Schedule of Classes (Schedule subject to change depending on instructor availability)

Saturday, June 19 - 9am-1pm Light Search and Rescue ^{This class is full}

Sunday, June 20 - 9am-12pm Fire Suppression 

Wednesday, June 30 - 9am-12pm Disaster First Aid  ^{This class is full}

Friday, July 9 - 9am-12pm Disaster First Aid

Saturday, July 10 - 9am-12pm Fire Suppression 

Saturday, August 14 - 9am-12pm Fire Suppression

Saturday, August 28 - 9am-12pm Disaster First Aid  ^{This class is full}

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

For more information on basic preparedness, search and rescue, disaster medical and mental health, neighborhood organization, and more download the Disaster Preparedness Handbook.  This is a 214 page reference manual utilized in our CERT trainings.  (PDF 11 megabytes)

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