In a disaster, local officials and relief workers cannot reach everyone immediately; help may not arrive for hours or days. You and your family — especially members with access and functional needs — should be prepared ahead of time because you won’t have time to shop or search for the supplies you will need when a disaster strikes.
Follow these three simple steps to prepare yourself today!
Step 1: Sign up for alerts and warnings
- Sign up for AlertSCC to receive emergency warnings on mobile devices, emails, or landlines.
- has its own text and voice emergency alert system (Nixle). Text your zip code to 888777 or register your email or landline here.
Stay Informed via Mobile Apps
- PulsePoint sends notifications about local incidents and emergency responders.
- Watch Duty alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.
Click here for more trusted sources and mobile apps
Step 2: Make a Go Bag and a Stay Box
Go Bag – most disasters are unexpected and happen fast; pack a Go Bag for when you need to leave home in a hurry. Imagine you have just 15 minutes to leave your home. Now imagine you only have 2 minutes. What will you pack?
Stay Box – in some disasters, you may be safer staying at home. Add items to a Stay Box, for when you can’t leave home. Prepare for at least 3 days without water or electricity.
Side-by-side lists of items to pack in a Go Bag or a Stay Box.
Resources – Listos California has created this comprehensive Disaster Ready Guide with more details on how to prepare for an emergency. For more wildfire emergency planning and preparedness materials available in 15 additional languages, like Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Tagalog, and more, visit Listos’ Resource Hub.
Step 3: Know two ways out
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- Genasys Protect (formerly ZoneHaven) provides real-time evacuation information for your area. Download the mobile app and follow your zone(s) or turn on your location to be notified about danger wherever you are.
- Consider joining Firewise USA to help prepare your neighborhood for wildfire.
Take a Class
Please see our Preparedness Classes page or our calendar for classes being offered by LAHCFD and Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Did you miss our Be Prepared for Wildfire presentation?
Fire Captain Denise Gluhan presented on Wildfire Preparedness in Los Altos Hills and covered topics including:
- Defensible Space and Home Ignition Zones
- Red flag warnings and emergency alerts
- Making a plan and packing “go bags”
Check out the Be Prepared for Wildfire slideshow and recording
Youth Preparedness
Santa Clara County Fire Department – Ready, Set, Go!
Ready, Set, Go! is an emergency preparedness program from the Santa Clara County Fire Department, which focuses on preparing your home, yourself, and your family for wildfires, providing steps to follow if evacuation becomes necessary, and what to do if you become trapped.
Additional Resources
For further reading, review this list of local and national fire and disaster preparedness resources.
