Are you prepared for the big one? Emergency officials say it’s not a matter of if, but when the next earthquake will happen. This month, the City of San Diego completed a large-scale regional emergency preparedness training exercise, bringing together first responders and disaster service workers from across the region.

The City’s Office of Emergency Services’ (OES) collaborative training focused on improving communication, resource sharing and operational readiness in the event of a real emergency. The exercise coincided with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) designating April as Earthquake Preparedness Month.

“Preparedness is the most important part of any emergency operation. While we train numerous times throughout the year, this unique exercise provided valuable insight and opportunity,” said Office of Emergency Services Executive Director Christopher Heiser. “The collaboration and networking afforded by this training will help guide any emergency activation in the future by enhancing communication and cooperation.”

Participants included numerous City of San Diego departments along with CalOES, the County of San Diego, the U.S. Navy, the Salvation Army, SDG&E, the Red Cross and additional emergency response partners. The exercise centered on a simulated major earthquake impacting the San Diego region and tested coordination among local, state, federal, military, nonprofit and utility partners.

A key feature of this year’s exercise was a “shift‑change continuity test,” a unique component designed to evaluate how well emergency operations transition between personnel over extended response periods.

During Earthquake Preparedness Month, California residents are encouraged to have their own disaster plans in place. Individuals, families and businesses can be proactive by building an emergency supply kit and creating a contact list, signing up for emergency alerts, and learning how to protect themselves during an earthquake. Resources are available on the City’s website.

San Diego's Office of Emergency Services strives to promote a secure and resilient City with the capabilities required across the whole community to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk.