Community Update for January 14, 2025 - EMERGENCY PREP EDITION

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Hello, Petaluma –

Our hearts are with our neighbors in Southern California who continue to face devastating wildfires. Petaluma’s Fire Department has sent a delegation of eight personnel to aid in response and recovery, and we hope and pray for their safety as they provide help to our fellow Californians and their communities.

With our minds on disaster recovery, we encourage you to take time this week to review your own emergency preparations. To be clear, Petaluma is in no immediate danger from the current fires. However, with preparedness for the future in mind, we’ve pulled together a variety of resources to help you and your loved ones plan ahead should we be faced with fires or some other natural disaster.

Please take some time to review the information below and take some of the suggested steps. Fires are unpredictable and move quickly, so a bit of planning ahead can go a long way should we find ourselves in harm’s way. It is especially critical that seniors and those with special needs or disabilities develop and implement their emergency plans.

Thank you, Petaluma, for working so hard to care for our community and one another. We’ll see you in your inboxes again next week!

Pack A “Go Bag”

Be prepared to hit the road in a moment’s notice with basic survival necessities that you can grab and go. Create one bag for each member of your household (don’t forget your pets!).

Click HERE to download the printable checklist.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Staying updated is essential during an emergency. Emergency alerts are sent to share critical information regarding evacuations and safety during fires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.

We recommend signing up for the following alerts:

Local Petaluma Alerts through Nixle send information about emergencies or other situations unfolding within our City. Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up.
Sonoma County Emergency Alerts provide information about situations Countywide. Sign up HERE.
Watch Duty app is a service powered by over 100 volunteers – firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders – who diligently monitor radio scanners and other social sources 24 hours a day to send you the most up-to-date information about current fires. Download the Watch Duty app or visit app.watchduty.org to access information and updates.

Click HERE to download and print a list of Emergency Alert contacts to keep in your Go Bag.

Know Your Zone

The County of Sonoma manages a county-wide evacuation map that is used to help identify areas that are under threat either by fire, flood, earthquake, or power outage. Knowing your zone is essential because it allows you to understand the impact evacuation warnings or order have on you and your family.

Please take a moment to find your location and make note of your zone HERE.

Then click HERE to download and print this map to keep in your Emergency Go Bag!

Get to Know Your Neighbors

In the event of a disaster or public health emergency, your neighbors may be a critical resource. During the recent wildfires, many lives were saved by pounding on neighbors’ doors, honking horns to wake people up, and piling strangers and their animals into cars and out of danger zones.

FIND OUT:

Who has a special skill set that could be vital in an emergency (nurse, contractor, HAM radio operator, CERT or CPR trained, etc.)?
Who has a generator?
Who has a fenced yard or safe place to keep pets?
Who has a truck or utility vehicle?
Who has special needs, mobility issues, or may need a helping hand in the event of an evacuation?

Cool Petaluma’s Block Leader Program helps connect neighbors to increase our community’s resilience – both to climate change and in the event of natural disasters. Learn more about getting involved HERE.

Attend the 2026 Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting

When: January 22, 2025, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: Herzog Hall, 175 Fairgrounds Dr, Petaluma, CA 94952

The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management and City of Petaluma will host a public meeting about the 2026 Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. This meeting is an opportunity for the community to learn about Sonoma County’s efforts to prepare for natural disasters and participate in creating a resilient community.

This meeting will provide an overview of the 2026 Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation planning process and describe how the public can provide input on natural hazard problems and potential solutions.

Complete the public survey about natural hazards in Sonoma County HERE.

Learn more at the website HERE.

Check the Air Quality

Respiratory health is important, so it’s essential to take steps to avoid exposure to unhealthy air. You can check current air quality conditions by visiting www.airnow.gov and entering your zip code.

Please take the following precautions when air quality is poor:

Limit time outside
Close the windows
Use fans or air conditioning with re-circulated air when possible
Stay hydrated

People who must be outdoors for long periods in areas with heavy smoke or ash may want to consider wearing an N95 respirator mask. Those with existing respiratory, lung or heart conditions should limit their exposure by staying indoors. Since wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe, those with lung or heart conditions should check with their doctor before using one.

For more information about how to protect yourself from unhealthy air quality, visit: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/protecting-yourself-wildfire-smoke.

One Petaluma Podcast Episode #3: Fire Season

Need something to listen to while you pack your Go Bag? Why not put on One Petaluma’s Fire Season episode! In this month’s installment of our city government podcast, you’ll learn more about how Petaluma’s fire risk is different from elsewhere in the North Bay, how to stay safe, and how your Fire Department team is working with other jurisdictions and community groups to create a system of mutual aid to strengthen our protections in the event of fires or other disasters.

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview with Jeff Schach, Petaluma’s Fire Chief; Chad Costa, Deputy Fire Chief; Jessica Power, Fire Marshall; and Tom Jordan, Emergency Manager.

Get Emergency Ready

Disaster can strike unexpectedly and move fast. Planning ahead for yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors is a crucial step in making it through the unexpected safely.

For answers to questions not covered in this email or just to learn more, visit cityofpetaluma.org/emergencyprep for resources to help you get prepared to best protect yourself and your family.