On July 26th, the South Skyline Emergency Preparedness Organization and the South Skyline Fire Safe Council hosted the first “Community Days — Are You Prepared?” session of 2025 at La Honda Elementary School. A free day-long workshop on preparing your family, home and neighborhood against the risks of mountain living — from wildfires and earthquakes to accidents and injuries — it had around 60 attendees, about as many as we’ve ever had. A second session was held September 27th at Saratoga Summit with another 40 attendees.
In the morning the Fire Safe Council gave presentations on Home Hardening, Defensible Space and Fuel Management. The La Honda Fuel Break project was presented by the SMC Resource Conservation District, illustrating techniques for community-wide fuel management. Midpeninsula Open Space, who are very active in fuel management projects, was introduced. Komodo demonstrated fire retardants, and United Policyholders provided an update on the home insurance situation. FireWise communities were discussed as an organizational tool for achieving neighborhood-level protection while providing insurance discounts.
After lunch from Taqueria de Amigos in Pescadero, the afternoon focused on neighborhood organization and communication — how to achieve consensus and inclusiveness in neighborhood efforts, and how to balance radio-based communications with internet and cellular technologies. The group practiced with low-power radios. We then covered our First Arriver Workshop: what to do if you are the first person on the scene of an accident. The San Mateo County Medical Reserve Corps was also introduced to the community.
Session Topics
What you can do for your home and family:
- Home Hardening, Defensible Space and the new 0-5 requirements — Presentation
- Managing biomass in your Defensible Space
- San Mateo County Resource Conservation District — La Honda Fuel Break Project
- Midpeninsula Open Space fuel reduction efforts and working with neighbors — Presentation
- Home insurance update — Presentation
- First aid techniques and what to do when first on scene at an accident, with a focus on severe bleeding
What you can help your neighborhood do:
- Finding the right technologies for communicating with your neighborhood in an emergency — from radio to internet — Presentation
- Getting neighborhood buy-in for preparation efforts — Presentation
- Forming a Firewise Community — Presentation
Vendors and Partners
Brush Hog, California Sunlight, Komodo Fire, Fire & Rain Systems, Midpeninsula Open Space, San Mateo County RCD, SMC Medical Reserve Corps, United Policy Holders, South Skyline Fire & Rescue, Cal Fire Saratoga Summit, Cal Fire Felton