Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the key components of emergency management and disaster relief in San Diego County during and after the fires of 2007.

Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework of this study was based on the research foundations of social construction theory and network theory.

Methodology: Using a mixed-methods approach, the response to the 2007 fires in San Diego County was examined using secondary data, including census data and voting patterns. The second portion of the study evaluated the 18 incorporated cities in San Diego County using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI).

Findings: Examination of data revealed that San Diego County has a strong emergency management and disaster relief infrastructure, and many components of that structure make it useful as a model for other counties in California. According to the SVI, while the County of San Diego is in the middle of the SVI and has a strong infrastructure, several of the cities in San Diego County are highly vulnerable, and that vulnerability is compounded by the lack of resources at the municipal level. The results would tend to support social construction theory's assertion of a differentiation between target groups of benefits and burdens.

Conclusions and Recommendations: The study data support the conclusion that emergency management and disaster response is implemented differently based on the target groups that are affected. This differentiation is supported by the SVI data in San Diego County and the response to the 2007 San Diego fires. Further study into equitable investment in emergency management and disaster relief for all municipalities should be undertaken.