City Staff Participate in Wildfire Emergency Training

On October 2, 2025, the City of Solana Beach conducted a four-hour Emergency Operations Center (EOC) training exercise, simulating a wildfire event affecting San Diego County and the local community. This exercise was designed to test the City's preparedness and improve its ability to respond effectively to emergency situations.

The purpose of the EOC training was to enhance the knowledge, skills, and coordination of City personnel during a wildfire emergency. Participants engaged in realistic scenario-based activities to strengthen their understanding of EOC operations and emergency communications. The exercise provided a valuable opportunity to refine response strategies, improve inter-departmental coordination, and support informed decision-making in a high-pressure environment.

The response actions practiced during the exercise closely mirrored those typically undertaken by an EOC during an actual wildfire incident. Participants focused on disseminating emergency public information and issuing protective action messages and warnings to ensure timely communication with the public. They developed an Incident Action Plan (IAP) along with situation status reports to guide operational priorities and maintain situational awareness. The exercise also emphasized managing interoperable communications across agencies and departments, planning for both citizen evacuation and shelter-in-place operations, and effectively requesting and coordinating mutual aid resources. Additionally, participants worked to facilitate interagency collaboration and ensure a unified response effort.

By simulating these critical response functions, the City of Solana Beach significantly strengthened its emergency preparedness and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and resilience of the community.