Rancho Santa Fe is known for its many miles of green, lush landscapes, award-winning golf courses and country clubs, and beautiful luxury homes. No doubt, the community is upscale, but Rancho Santa Fe is more than just an idyllic place to live. Its charming neighborhoods boast close-knit communities, exceptional schools, and beautiful facilities; it is considered by many the perfect place to settle down and raise a family.
It is no surprise, then, that safety is a priority and fundamental part of the community. Safety is clearly a collaborative effort in Rancho Santa Fe, and every public service, community organization, and volunteer task force contributes to the security and comfort of its residents.
For several years, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach residents have been asked to participate in Community Emergency Response Team trainings to become disaster workers.
Members of the Rancho Santa Fe CERT
C/O http://www.rsf-fire.org/
The CERT program is designed to help prepare individuals, families, and neighborhoods in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Members are trained in basic life and property saving skills in the event of a disaster when professional services have not yet arrived or are overwhelmed.
The entire training course is 25 hours, covering topics such as disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations and CERT organization, as well as disaster psychology, and the wildland urban interface.
The next CERT training will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 5th at the Encinitas Community Center. Classes are free to all residents or employees of those communities who are at least 18 years old.
Of course, community safety requires more than preparation for disasters. Neighborhoods such as the Covenant have supplemental law enforcement services provided by the Rancho Santa Fe Patrol.
The Rancho Santa Fe Patrol was originally founded in 1976 by the Rancho Santa Fe Association and has since then responded to thousands of calls and assisted countless residents with a variety of problems.
Members of the patrol act as an armed private security force and are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is ensured that each of the Patrol officers have an extensive background in law enforcement. Patrol members assist the San Diego County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol in serving the Covenant residents of Rancho Santa Fe.
The Patrol hosts a blog to keep residents updated with news, alerts and announcements.
The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District is yet another force that makes a variety of efforts to support safety in the community. The District, which hosts a full-time fire protection agency, spans approximately 38-square miles and protects over 29,000 citizens.
The District’s website, which contains numerous links to helpful resources and community programs, states that its mission is, “to protect life, property, and environment through prevention, preparedness, education and emergency response.”
Along with providing programs such as CERT training, the Fire District encourages children to get involved with community safety. Teachers can sign up for fire station tours so students may get a glimpse of the hectic but rewarding lives of the RSF firefighters.
It is evident, then, that safety is a great priority for all residents of Rancho Santa Fe. If you are interested in getting involved, take a CERT class, sign your company or school up for a fire and injury prevention presentation, or talk to your neighbors! There is a always an opportunity to give back to the Rancho Santa Fe community.