Desert Region Fire Safe Opens New Fire Prevention Office & Disaster Community Center
Morongo Valley, CA — Desert Region Fire Safe (DRFS) has opened the doors to its new Fire Prevention Office and Disaster Community Center (FPO & DCC) — a first-of-its-kind hub designed to empower desert residents with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed to prepare for wildfire and other local emergencies.
Spearheaded by Justin Merino, Director of DRFS, the project represents a major step toward bringing prevention, preparedness, and public education directly to the communities most at risk.
“Our goal has always been to make wildfire resilience a local conversation,” said Merino. “The Fire Prevention Office isn’t just an administrative space — it’s a working classroom, demonstration site, and gathering point for neighbors who want to be proactive about their safety.”
A Hands-On Approach to Wildfire Readiness
Located at Morongo Valley Fire Department Station 2, the new facility anchors DRFS’s commitment to on-the-ground prevention and public engagement. It houses both administrative operations and community-facing programs focused on reducing fire risk through education and demonstration.
Key features include:
Zone 0 Demonstration Site: A live example of ember-resistant landscaping and building techniques showing how the first five feet around a home can make all the difference.
Training and Volunteer Programs: Hosting courses such as Stop the Bleed, Narcan administration, and first aid/CPR, as well as orientation for Fire Corps and other community response volunteers.
Public Resource Center: A welcoming space where residents can pick up educational materials, request home-hardening assessments, and learn about defensible-space compliance.
Emergency Coordination Hub: The facility also functions as a disaster coordination site where local organizations can stage relief efforts during emergencies.
Visit or Get Involved
📍 Fire Prevention Office & Disaster Community Center
Morongo Valley Fire Department Station 2
Highway 62 @ Sundown Trail, Morongo Valley, CA
Community members, partner organizations, and volunteers are invited to stop by during upcoming open houses and educational events to tour the facility and learn how they can get involved in local fire-prevention efforts.
To learn more about Desert Region Fire Safe and upcoming events, visit HDEAA.org or follow DRFS on social media for the latest updates and announcements.