Emergency Prep – d2
Helping You Get Prepared
The City of Petaluma strongly urges residents and businesses to invest time and some money on disaster preparedness.
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.
Equally important is the role that planning plays in the wake of a disaster. OK, you survived the earthquake or the fire or the flood. Now what? How do you gather loved ones (including pets) and help them stay safe? How do you get food, water, and electricity if the power goes out? How will you afford to rebuild or keep your business going?
Read on to learn how to protect yourself and your family -- and bounce back as quickly as possible.
EMERGENCY RESOURCES
Check out the following resources for more tips and checklists to get prepared and stay updated during emergencies.
• SOCOEMERGENCY.ORG - County emergency website with up-to-date local emergency info and resources
• READY.GOV - Emergency prep information and disaster aid
• PG&E.COM - Preparing for and staying updated on power outages and gas/electric/generator safety
• CALL 2-1-1 - Help with food, housing, emergencies, and more
Go Bag Checklist
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.
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. Please find your location on the map above and make note of your zone. This is essential information if evacuation warnings and orders are issued. Click HERE to download and print this map to keep in your Emergency Go Bag.
Emergency Alert Guide
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. Click HERE to download and print a list of Emergency Alert contacts to keep in your Go Bag.
Make a Plan
Natural disasters can strike fast and conditions can shift as quickly as the wind. Put a plan in place ahead of time so you can spring into action should the need arise. Click HERE to download and print a copy of the information below to keep in your Go Bag.
PLAN TOGETHER
Have a discussion with family, co-workers, and neighbors regarding potential needs of your community. Identify resources and needs and make plans on how to stay safe.
SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
• Do you have an evacuation plan?
• Who is your emergency point of contact both locally and out of the area?
• Can you function at home without power for an extended amount of time?
• Do you have emergency supplies?
• Do you and your pet(s) have a safe place to stay if you can’t go back home right away?
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?
Attend a COPE Session
The Fire Department’s COPE (Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies) program takes a “neighborhood” approach to emergency preparation. Quarterly COPE trainings helps community members develop individual response plans, maintaining individual emergency supply kits, and neighbors getting to know and plan with other neighbors in their community. Click HERE to download the COPE booklet. Click HERE to sign up to receive information about the next session.
FOLLOW THE 5 P’S OF EVACUATION
In the event of an evacuation, follow instructions from authorities and leave the area immediately. Those who opt to remain in their home often sustain serious injuries or end up needing rescue - diverting vital first responder resources.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THE 5 P’S AS YOU PREPARE TO LEAVE:
1. People and Pets
2. Prescriptions
3. Papers
4. Personal needs
5. Priceless items
LEARN HOW TO
• Turn off gas - pge.com/gassafety
• Use generators safely - pge.com/backuppower
EXTREME HEAT FAQ's
Click HERE to learn how to stay safe during a heat wave.
