Encinitas emergency manager urges seniors to prepare for year-round hazards

Marie Jones Kirk, the City of Encinitas emergency manager, told the Senior Citizen Commission on Jan. 21 that residents — and particularly older adults — should have evacuation plans, maintain 72-hour supply kits and sign up for local alert systems because hazards such as wildfires, severe storms and earthquakes are now year‑round threats.

Kirk spoke to commissioners at the Encinitas Community Center about who bears responsibility for disaster planning, the primary hazards facing the city and the practical steps households should take right now. "You don't have to wait for an evacuation order to evacuate," she said. "If you can see conditions are hot and dry, you can already be ready — have your car packed, have your plan."

Why it matters: Kirk emphasized that preparedness reduces panic and secondary incidents during evacuations. She cited recent Southern California fires and a January 2024 storm that produced severe flooding in the region as local reminders that emergencies can arrive with little notice.

Kirk outlined a “whole community” approach: fire and law enforcement coordinate incident decisions, but residents, community groups and city staff all play roles. She advised seniors and caregivers to identify multiple evacuation routes, practice the plan, and designate an out-of-area check‑in contact to relay safety information if local communications fail.

On communications, Kirk said the county’s Alert San Diego system requires residents to opt in by registering phone numbers and email addresses; landlines previously enrolled automatically. She recommended that residents also download situational apps and tools that show evacuation warnings and orders. Kirk recommended downloading the county alert mobile app and registering home addresses; she also mentioned PulsePoint for local emergency call information and suggested the county’s public information channels and 211 as additional resources.

Kirk described how power‑safety de‑energization notifications from SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) are generally sent 12–24 hours in advance, followed by shorter notices before planned outages. In response to a question from Commissioner Stern about cellular service during outages, Kirk said cell sites typically have backup generation and that cell service is likely to continue unless a tower itself is damaged by fire.

Kirk addressed concerns relevant to seniors and congregate settings. She said assisted‑living facilities are licensed by the State of California through the Department of Social Services and are required to maintain on‑site emergency plans and conduct regular drills. Still, she urged individuals to keep personal go‑kits (medication, hard copies of prescriptions, identification documents, eyeglasses, extra chargers) and to place simple items — shoes and a flashlight — by the bed in case of a middle‑of‑the‑night evacuation. "If you don't have a plan, you're going to panic," she said.

Kirk also highlighted pets: she said local shelters supported by the Red Cross can accommodate household pets and that the city coordinates with fairgrounds capacity for large animals such as horses. "If people don't feel comfortable that they can shelter with their pet, they may not evacuate," Kirk said, urging pet owners to include animal supplies and paperwork in their preparedness kit.

She recommended keeping hard copies of critical documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance information) because electronic records may be inaccessible after an event. Kirk advised residents to store at least 72 hours of supplies at home and to consider inexpensive options (e.g., Dollar Tree containers) for building a go‑kit.

Questions from commissioners focused on senior‑specific issues and assisted‑living operations. Commissioner Stern asked three questions on cellular service, recommendations for seniors, and plans for seniors who cannot drive; Kirk suggested neighbors, family contacts and, when appropriate, providing information to the sheriff's office about mobility limitations at an address so responders are aware.

Kirk closed with practical takeaways: register for Alert San Diego, prepare a written evacuation plan, assemble a go‑kit with medications and hard‑copy records, and practice evacuation routes.

Resources and follow-up: Kirk said city social media, the San Diego County sheriff and 211 will be used to push critical information during incidents. She offered to answer follow‑up questions and to provide printed preparedness guides.