Welcome to HDEAA

Building safer communities through preparedness, prevention, and partnership.

The High Desert Emergency Action Alliance (HDEAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening disaster preparedness, public safety, and community resilience across Southern California's desert communities and the greater Inland Empire.

Working alongside public agencies, emergency responders, nonprofit organizations, and community partners, HDEAA connects residents with the knowledge, training, and resources they need to prepare for emergencies, reduce risks, and respond with confidence.

Through Desert Region Fire Safe (DRFS), our wildfire prevention and mitigation initiative, we help communities address wildfire risks through defensible space education, home assessments, fire prevention programs, and collaborative mitigation efforts.

Our work extends beyond wildfire preparedness. From disaster readiness and emergency response support to first aid, lifesaving skills, and public health education, HDEAA delivers practical, accessible programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Our mission is to connect, prepare, and protect. We bridge the gap between government agencies, community organizations, and residents, turning partnerships into meaningful action and ensuring that preparedness reaches those who need it most.

Whether through hands-on training, community outreach, wildfire mitigation, or coordinated disaster response, HDEAA is committed to building stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.

Prepared communities. Stronger partnerships. A more resilient future.

Our Core Programs

Connecting communities, strengthening preparedness, and building resilience.

Wildfire Prevention & Fire Safe Councils

Through Desert Region Fire Safe (DRFS), we advance wildfire prevention and community resilience across the Morongo Basin and surrounding desert communities. Our programs include defensible space assessments, wildfire mitigation education, Firewise community development, and support for local Fire Safe Councils. We work with residents, fire agencies, and community partners to reduce wildfire risks and protect lives and property.

Disaster Preparedness & Community Education

Preparedness begins with knowledge and action. Through initiatives such as Listos California, we provide free, accessible disaster preparedness education, hands-on workshops, and emergency resources to communities across San Bernardino, Riverside, and Inyo counties. Our programs address wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, extreme weather, and other hazards, empowering residents to prepare themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods before emergencies occur.

Community Disaster Resource Center

Our community resource center serves as a hub for emergency preparedness, public safety education, and regional collaboration. We connect residents, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies with resources, training opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen community readiness and support coordinated action.

Emergency Response & Community Support

HDEAA supports community safety and disaster response through trained volunteers, emergency medical support, and collaboration with public safety agencies. Our activities include event medical standby, first aid services, disaster support, and supplemental assistance to emergency response partners. By combining community resources with practical response capabilities, we help strengthen local readiness and support communities when assistance is needed.

We provide accessible, hands-on training that equips individuals with the skills and confidence to respond when emergencies occur. Our programs include American Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed, and disaster preparedness education. From community members to professional responders, we help people develop practical, lifesaving skills.

Emergency & Lifesaving Training

Disasters affect everyone, but not everyone faces the same challenges. We develop specialized preparedness education and resources for older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and other populations who may require additional support during emergencies. Working with healthcare, aging-service, and community organizations, we help ensure that emergency preparedness is accessible, practical, and inclusive.

Inclusive Disaster Preparedness

Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)

The Morongo Basin COAD brings together nonprofits, faith-based organizations, public agencies, businesses, and community volunteers to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. By fostering coordination, sharing resources, and building relationships before emergencies occur, we help ensure a more organized and effective community response when disasters strike.

Naloxone Distribution & Overdose Prevention

As a participant in California's Naloxone Distribution Project, HDEAA provides free Narcan nasal spray and opioid overdose prevention education to residents throughout the Morongo Basin. Our program helps individuals recognize the signs of an overdose, respond appropriately, and access lifesaving medication at no cost.

Community Disaster Resource Center

Our Community Disaster Resource Center serves as a hub for preparedness education, community engagement, and regional collaboration. The center provides a space for training, resource distribution, planning, and partnerships among residents, nonprofits, and public agencies. By connecting people with information, services, and one another, we help turn community needs into coordinated action.

Stronger Together. Better Prepared.

From wildfire prevention and lifesaving education to disaster coordination and community support, HDEAA is committed to ensuring that preparedness reaches every corner of the communities we serve.

Join us in building a safer, healthier, and more resilient region.

Executive Director

Justin Merino
Director of Wildfire Mitigation & Resilience

With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit governance, organizational leadership, and public service, Justin has built a career at the intersection of emergency management, public safety, and community resilience. A Wildland Firefighter, Military Emergency Management Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician, and Mental Health Resilience Officer, he leads regional initiatives focused on wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness, and strengthening community resilience throughout Southern California.

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard and California State Guard, Justin brings extensive operational and leadership experience to his work. His background includes service with the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, the United Nations, and the City of Los Angeles, as well as leadership roles in nonprofit organizations and regional disaster coordination networks.

Justin's professional experience also extends internationally, with a background in creative production, strategic communications, and organizational development. His work with global brands including Mercedes-Benz, Warner Bros., Adidas, and Deutsche Telekom has shaped a multidisciplinary approach that combines strategic thinking, innovation, and practical problem-solving.

As a leader of HDEAA and Desert Region Fire Safe, Justin works to strengthen partnerships between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the communities they serve. His approach emphasizes collaboration, adaptive leadership, and sustainable solutions that translate community needs into meaningful action.

Driven by a commitment to public service, Justin continues to advance initiatives that protect lives and property, empower local communities, and build stronger systems of preparedness and resilience.

Contact: merino@desertfire.org | 760-853-0220

Associations:

  • Irene Reyes

    PROJECT MANAGER - DEFENSIBLE SPACE COORDINATOR

  • Alex Holz

    STRATEGY & GRANT MANAGEMENT

  • Marty Edwards

    DEFENSIBLE SPACE PROGRAM

  • Roxanna Shamay

    VOLUNTEER

  • Marjorie Smith

    MB COAD CHAIR

  • Betty Kerr

    VOLUNTEER