New podcast: When the Ground Moves – Fire Response & Survival (Part 2)

When the shaking stops, the real crisis begins. In Part 2 of our earthquake preparedness series, we shift from the moment of impact to the chaotic aftermath, when 911 calls flood in, fires ignite, buildings collapse, and first responders race into the unknown.

We’re joined by Captain Greg Barta of the Orange County Fire Authority, who takes us inside the fire service response in those first critical minutes. From firefighters securing their own safety to rapid deployment, damage assessments, and life-or-death decision-making, this episode reveals how fire crews become the tip of the spear in a large-scale disaster.

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You’ll hear how resources are prioritized when everything is happening at once, why some calls must wait while others demand immediate action, and how mutual aid from across California and beyond plays a vital role in large-scale response.

This episode also delivers a clear message to the public: you may be on your own, at least for a while.

With emergency services stretched thin, your ability to care for yourself, your family, and even your neighbors could be the difference between life and death. From 72-hour preparedness to basic first aid and community response training, this conversation underscores the reality that preparedness isn’t optional, it’s essential.

ReadyOC provides resources to help you prepare with a kit, at work, and at home.

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