News

Read the latest updates on ReadyOC and how we’re preparing the local community with emergency preparedness.

Stay Informed

September is a Time to Take Stock and Prepare

By Greg Mellen Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge As the planet becomes increasingly volatile and fractious each year, September is...

ReadyOC Shares How to Prepare for Excessive Heat

By Greg Mellen Photo by Pixabay The news reports have been plenty scary; however, while July 2023 shapes up to be the hottest month on...

Home hardening can help property owners avert fire disaster

By Greg Mellen, Behind the Badge Photo by Pixabay Together they meticulously examine dormers, eaves, attic vents, siding, the roof,...

It is best to be prepared for whatever disasters may come

By Greg Mellen, Behind the Badge A historically bad winter with storms and flooding, preceded by several years of record wildfire...

Winter can go from wonderful to woeful for those unprepared

By Greg Mellen, Behind the Badge For hundreds of students who found themselves trapped at sleep-away science camps in the San Bernardino...

Following record winter weather, and more storms forecasted, time to get ready

By Greg Mellen, Behind the Badge It’s been a calamitous winter, and it’s not over yet. Although California’s poppies bloomed with the...

Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a disaster

By Greg Mellon, Behind The Badge Orange County residents can best cope with natural and man-made disasters by being ready in advance....

In summer the water beckons, but beware, danger can lurk

By Greg Mellen, Behind The Badge The summer heat is here! Which means the pools are open, visits and plans to vacation at the beaches are...

Volunteers graduate from preparedness program with skills to assist in emergency

By Lou Ponsi, Behind the Badge The newest members of Irvine’s Community Emergency Response Team, commonly known as CERT, gave a variety...

New Year, new emergency plan — ready yourself and your family in case disaster strikes

Behind the Badge by Greg Mellen The new year is a time for resolutions and promising to do better. And while most of this resolve centers...

Wildfires are getting bigger every year; the best thing you can do is prepare

BY GREG MELLEN, Behind the Badge Brown skies and red sunsets. Ash falling from the sky like snowflakes. Smoke traveling from California...

A year after the Silverado Fire, memories are fresh and vigilance remains vital

BY GREG MELLEN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2021NEWS & FEATURES In firefighter lingo it’s called “extreme fire behavior,” and just a year ago Orange...

Incidents of Mass Violence

By Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Learn about who is most at risk for emotional distress from incidents of...

Experts warn shoppers to protect themselves this holiday season

BY GREG MELLEN, Behind the Badge This year, as Black Friday online, Cyber Monday, and holiday online sales ramp up, consumers are warming...