Emergency preparation

After multiple years of fires in Sonoma County, most everyone in West County knows the stress of watching the sky, following the news, and even evacuating. The number one lesson? Prepare. Be ready.

Study after study shows that our cognitive capabilities decline under stress. Yep, our ability to think is reduced to survival skills and not critical thinking. So to reduce the stress of fire season (or any disaster), and to improve your chances of having fewer regrets, we highly recommend thinking about this ahead of time, taking action to prepare for a possible disaster, and then rest at ease knowing you already know what you will do, where things are, who you will contact, and where you will go.

One of the most important things is for you and others in your household to know your evacuation zone! Please review the zones below and find your zone (put your ADDRESS into the evacuation map web page to find the exact route for where you live.), post it on your refrigerator, make a note of it on your phone so you can find it if you forget.

Work out your plan now, so if an emergency happens you’re ready!

Being prepared means you have what you need for yourself, you and your housemates/family are all coordinated, and your local street or community has back plans to help each other in time of need. Click below to learn more about what you can do to be better prepared in each area.

We have prepared a quick and easy list of what to do in an evacuation depending on how much time you have. Print it and keep it handy. It will make your exit less stressful!

The key to disaster preparedness: redundancy

Redundant power. Experts warn of multiple PG&E power outages in “red flag” conditions — high temperature and wind, low humidity. Will you be ready if your power is out for 24 hours or more? Learn more about how to prepare for a power outage here.

Redundant warning signals. In the event of a disaster, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department will utilize several communication channels to alert Occidental residents: NIXLE alerts, phone calls to landlines (SoCOAlert), notification via NOAA weather/disaster alert radios, and the Occidental Volunteer Fire Department siren. If one signal fails to alert you, will you respond to another signal? Read on for more information and make sure to sign up for multiple alerts!

Redundant evacuation routes. In the event of a disaster, do you have more than one way out of your neighborhood? If all routes are blocked do you have a “shelter in place” location? John your local Community Organization or Neighborhood Group and make sure you can answer these questions!

Apps for staying informed

The apps below are recommended for staying informed of local emergencies and fires that have the potential to lead to evacuations.

The County of Sonoma Emergency Readiness, Response and Recovery website, SoCoEmergency.org, contains valuable and comprehensive resources for before, during, and after emergencies.

En español

Here are some other great resources:

• Preparing for Disaster: Download an in depth Survival Guide by the SF Chronicle
• Get Ready for Wildfire: An Overview from CAL FIRE