Goleta’s Emergency Services Division invites you to participate in three preparedness opportunities this October: Cybersecurity Awareness Month, National Fire Prevention Week, and the Great California ShakeOut Drill. Each occasion is a chance to take small, simple steps that can make a big difference in protecting your family, your home, and your community.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Staying safe online is just as important as staying safe at home. Throughout October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us to update our passwords, turn on multifactor authentication, and stay alert to suspicious messages. Protecting your digital world helps protect your real world, too! Visit ReadySBC.org for practical tips to boost your online security.

National Fire Prevention Week (October 5 – 11, 2025)

This year’s theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” is a reminder to make safety part of your family routine. Take time to test your smoke alarms, walk through your home together, and make sure everyone – from kids to grandparents – know two ways out of every room. Practicing your escape plan can be empowering, and it only takes a few minutes!

Great California ShakeOut Drill (October 16, 2025)

On Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m., Goleta will join millions of Californians for the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. It’s quick, easy, and potentially lifesaving: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Practicing together makes us all stronger, and it’s a fun way to get kids and adults alike ready for the unexpected. Sign up at www.ShakeOut.org to join the statewide movement.

ReadySBC: Your Resource for Peace of Mind

A great source for more ways to be prepared for any emergency, go to ReadySBC.org.  You can download guides in English and Spanish for different hazards.

Also, make sure you are signed up for ReadySBC Alerts.

For more information and resources, City of Goleta Emergency Preparedness.

Choose from Community Disaster Education Workshops or CERT Training

The City of Goleta wants you to be prepared for the next disaster. That is why we are offering two different types of classes this fall: Community Disaster Education (CDE) workshops (two hours) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training (21 hours). Don’t wait – sign up today at www.CityofGoleta.org/preparedness.

Here are descriptions, dates, and details of the free opportunities being offered:

Community Disaster Education Workshops

CDE courses are short interactive workshops that introduce community members to the essentials of emergency preparedness. Topics typically include:

• Building an emergency plan.
• Assembling basic supplies.
• Staying informed during an emergency.
• Helping vulnerable populations and connecting with local resources.

Below are the upcoming workshops taking place at the Goleta Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue). Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/mswjtwx2 (use the date filter on the left to display all the classes).

• Friday, Oct. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

You can also request a CDE in English or Spanish for your next community event, workplace lunch break, or neighborhood gathering. A minimum of 15 people are needed. Send an email to the Emergency Services Division, ESD.Training@cityofgoleta.org, for more information.

Community Emergency Response Team Training

The City is also offering a CERT training course on October 18, November 1 and November 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Goleta Community Center (you must be able to attend all three dates to complete the course).

CERT is a comprehensive 20–24-hour training nationwide course designed to teach residents how to respond effectively during and after a disaster.

Sign up for the CERT Training here: https://tinyurl.com/bdhad2r5.

Learn more about the different classes being offered by the City by watching our video, available in English and Spanish.

Make sure you are signed up to receive emergency information from Santa Barbara County at ReadySBC.org and the City of Goleta here.

Unsafe and Unsanitary Conditions Found at Illegal Roadside and Sidewalk Stands

The Santa Barbara County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) reminds the community that unpermitted roadside and pop-up food vendors often operate illegally and without proper food safety practices.

For over 100 years, EHS has worked to keep the food supply safe by setting strict standards and conducting regular inspections, helping to ensure that the public faces a very low risk of foodborne illness. While unpermitted food stands may seem convenient, inexpensive, or even exciting, they often operate under unsafe and illegal conditions. Investigations have confirmed cases of salmonella infections and other foodborne illnesses linked to unpermitted roadside vendors in the County. Unsafe conditions observed include:

• Cockroach and pest infestations in vehicles and equipment
• No handwashing facilities or restrooms for workers
• Lack of refrigeration, with many vendors transporting food long distances without temperature control
• Adulterated or unknown food sources
• Improper cooking and serving temperatures
• Unclean equipment, utensils, and food preparation areas

“Unpermitted food vendors often bypass health regulations, putting people at serious risk of foodborne illness,” said Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, “We encourage residents to only eat from food vendors displaying a valid health permit and to look for signs that food safety standards are being followed.”

There are several ways the public can protect themselves and ensure the food they eat is safe:

1. Buy from Permitted Businesses: Restaurants, food trucks, and certified farmers’ markets permitted by County Health undergo regular inspections to meet strict health and safety standards. Look for a posted health permit before you buy.
2. Support Local Farmers and Producers: The County has an incredible variety of local food producers. Shopping at certified farmers’ markets or farm-to-table restaurants ensures you’re getting fresh, local food that supports our economy and meets health
3. Know Before You Eat: Many foodborne illnesses can be avoided if consumers choose only permitted sources. Unpermitted vendors may not follow hygiene or food safety practices, raising the risk of contamination.

To report an unpermitted roadside food vendor or other concern please complete this online form http://bit.ly/3W9cQhS or call 805-681-4900 ext. 3 (Santa Barbara) or 805-346-8460 ext. 3 (Santa Maria).

For more information about the work of County Environmental Health Services, visit Environmental Health | Santa Barbara County, CA – Official Website.