Preparing for the California Wildfire Season

As we settle into the summer months and temperatures continue to increase, we are also aware of the arrival of wildfire season. At San Ramon Regional Medical Center, we encourage everyone in our community to take steps to be ready for a wildfires:

• Maintain 100 feet of “defensible space” around your home by mowing grass, pruning trees and reducing flammable plants and materials near your residence.
• Create an evacuation plan that everyone in your household understands.
• Identify several ways to leave your area, drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations.
• Assemble an emergency supply kit with all the items you could not do without in an emergency (e.g. emergency water and food supply, prescription medications, first aid supplies, copies of important documents and backup power sources).
• Have a plan for your pets.
• Stay informed on fire incidents near you.
• Update your contact information to stay alert of any events occurring in your area.
• Contra Costa County is a “fireworks-free zone,” so please respect the local ordinance and do not launch any fireworks this summer.
• For ways to stay more prepared, please visit the PG&E Website.

Here at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, we are prepared as well. If there are any Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) this year, we are ready. For the last several years, we have made our South Building available to the public as a charging station for medical devices and communication devices. We plan to do so again, if the need arises. We are here for you and your loved ones if there are planned or unplanned power outages that impact our neighbors.

During wildfire season, the smoke in the air can cause inflammation and other medical problems for those with respiratory issues. We have excellent emergency care and are proud to have the lowest ED wait times in the county. Our board-certified pulmonologists are available to care for our patients with any respiratory needs. We also have a pulmonary function test lab that allows us to assess a person’s lung function non-invasively.

When you need us, we’re here for you. Whether it’s during wildfire season or anytime during the year, our team at San Ramon Regional is ready to care for you.