Climate Action Toolkit

Emergency Preparedness

ACTIONS: 7-1 thru 7-20

Write your awesome label here.

Key Resources

Read Part 3 of the Resilient Neighborhoods Handbook covering Emergency Preparedness and explore the Toolkit sections below to choose the actions you will take and learn how to take those actions.

Emergency Planning

- Household Emergency Plan

Videos

 - Get Ready Marin County: Zonehaven Evacuation System (1:42) (Skip ad)
- Make A Go Bag (1.33)

During an Emergency

- Marin County Emergency Portal: during an emergency, this site will provide you with the latest information on the emergency & recommended actions for you to take. It also provides other info and resources:

- Look up Your Zone via ZoneHaven

- FireSafe Marin Evacuation Maps for Your Zone​​

Wildfire and Air Quality Monitoring

- Purple Air to access real-time air quality.
- Watch Duty: a great app to track the status of active wildfires.

Emergency Preparedness: Actions 7-1 thru 7-20

​Click the (+/-) sign next to the action number to (view/ hide) the information for that action.

​Action 7-1.  Complete a household emergency plan 

This is the most important action to take. Download and print our Household Emergency Plan.  

Action 7-2. Develop a family communications plan

Does your family know how to get in touch with each other if you are not all together? Before an emergency happens, have a family discussion to determine who would be your out-of-state point of contact, and where you would meet away from your home. Page 2 of our Household Emergency Plan covers this. For more detailed plans, see: Ready Marin- Make A Plan or a Family Communications Plan (Fire Safe Marin)

Action 7-3.  Develop a family evacuation plan and be prepared for wildfire

- Pages 3 & 4 of our Household Emergency Plan cover this.  Fire Safe Marin also publishes an Evacuation Checklist, which you can review here.
- Marin County Public Emergency Portal: during an emergency, this site will provide you with the latest information on the emergency & recommended actions for you to take. It also provides other info and resources.
- Watch this short Cal Fire video on preparing for evacuation. To learn about Marin's Evacuation Plan, watch Marin's Evacuation Plan - Beyond Go Bags (Fire Safe Marin).
- Watch the Webinar: How to survive a wildfire (Fire Safe Marin) from the "Living with Fire" webinar series - 1.5 hours (skip first 5 mins- audio issues)
 - Wildfire Watch Fire Safe Marin's TV Series- Multiple Episodes 
- Watch Duty is a great app to track the status of active wildfires.

Action 7-4.  Sign up for emergency notifications

- ALERT MARIN provides emergency alerts from Marin County Emergency Official such as flooding, wildfires, and evacuations. These alerts target impacted addresses and neighborhoods.  
​​
HOW TO BYPASS DO NOT DISTURB SETTINGS ON YOUR PHONE
on Androids
     - Save AlertMarin 877-627-1411 as a Contact and tap the Star icon to make it a favorite.
     - Go to Settings, and in the Search bar at the top of the screen, enter “Do Not Disturb.”
     - Follow the instructions for the Android system on your phone,
on iPhones
     - Save AlertMarin 877-627-1411 as a Contact and tap Done.
     - Tap the Edit button in the upper-right corner, and scroll down to select “Ringtone”
     - Enable “Emergency Bypass” at top of screen
     - Tap Done (or Check Mark) in the top right
- We also recommend adding your home’s landline to your AlertMarin account as an additional contact method.

- NIXLE for alerts (by zip code) for severe weather, crime alerts, severe traffic, etc. Text your ZIP CODE to 888777 for mobile alerts. 
Note: Nixle is a public messaging platform used by many cities and towns across Marin County to share informational updates with their communities. Agencies commonly use Nixle to provide general awareness messages such as road closures, planned activities, and community information. It is important to note that Nixle is not an emergency alerting system. Unlike AlertMarin, Nixle does not issue phone calls and has limited text message capacity. AlertMarin remains the County’s official system for delivering targeted, life-saving emergency alerts by phone call, text, and email, in real time and in multiple languages.

Action 7-5.  Store Life-saving information on your phone

Learn how you can store important information in your phone for emergency personnel. You can choose the option to be visible even if your phone is locked. (Learn more: iPhone, Android )

Action 7-6. Conduct an earthquake drill

Participate in International ShakeOut Day in October every year. Millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home. The website is full of information about how to prepare for an earthquake.

Download the app MyShake. It can provide early warning about earthquakes - seconds can make a difference! It uses our cell phones as monitoring devices. You can be a citizen scientist and have your phone be part of the seismic network.

Actions 7-7 and 7-8. Create a "Stay Box" and Create a "Go Bag"

Link to Disaster Supply Center, Costco, or try your local hardware store!

READY MARIN EMERGENCY SUPPLY CHECKLISTS
- Build a "Go Bag" and Assemble a "Stay Box". Gather emergency supplies to survive on your own for 5-7 days. Plan for what you and your household members will need to meet daily needs, such as meals, sanitation, medication, and the maintenance of personal medical devices. Water usage guidelines: Stay hydrated by storing one gallon per person per day, and don’t forget your pets. a half gallon for drinking and a half for cooking/sanitation. Don’t skimp! Here is good information from the the East Bay Municipal Utility District on water storage.
- Away from Home Supplies. Car and Work Disasters can occur at any time. The "Away from Home" kits provide you with a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, first aid kits, water, nutritional snacks and more.
- Create a "Last Minute List". If you had 10 minutes to evacuate, what are the 10 items you would take?

Additional items for Go Bag and Dress for Survival kit (Fire Safe Marin). Review this page from Fire Safe Marin for other items to add to your go bag. Also, learn what you should wear before you evacuate.
- Extra steps for Seniors and People with Disabilities (Ready Marin). Also see the more detailed Red Cross/FEMSA Guide for Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
- Prepare a Pet Disaster Plan (Ready Marin). Also, check out these resources from Fire Safe Marin for evacuating small and large animals.
- Watch the Ready Marin Webinar on repairing Pets for Disasters
- Solar Chargers for Electronics: Take your laptop and portable solar chargers with you during an evacuation.  

Action 7-9. Get battery backup storage to supply electricity during power outages

- Review Fire Safe Marin's guide to Backup Power and Generators.

PORTABLE BATTERIES
Here are some examples of portable solar generators from Ace Hardware.

REBATE
Portable Generator / Battery Storage Rebate: If you live in a CPUC High Fire Threat District, you can get a $300 rebate from PG&E (and an additional $200 if part of PGE's CARE or FERA programs).

MORE INFO
- Stay connected to WiFi: Uninterruptible Power Supply​ (UPS) batteries can help you stay connected to WiFi during an emergency. Depending on the battery size, it may last only an hour, but it will keep you connected long enough to make important calls during an emergency and protect your equipment from surges. Here are some UPS batteries from Best Buy.
- Backup battery for medical devices: If you rely on a medical device, you may be able to receive a free backup battery from PG&E.
- EVs with bidirectional charging can provide power to your home during outages. Click here for current EV models with bidirectional charging.
- Can I cook during power outages without a gas stove? If you buy a 2kwh (2,000 watt) or higher portable power station, you can use a portable induction cooktop for cooking during power outages. (See models from Bluetti and Jackery). Another option is to use a camp stove (please use outside if it is gas). ​

HOME BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS  (also see Action 6-24 for solar + home batteries)
- Should you install a Home Battery?

REBATES
PGE Permanent Battery Storage Rebate- *** Less than 500 left***
- PG&E first-time battery storage customers may be eligible for this $7,500 rebate on the purchase and installation of a qualifying permanent battery storage system.
- This program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, while funding is available.
- See if you qualify: Enter your address into the Wildfire Safety Progress Map.

SGIP Home Battery Rebate- *** Waitlist***
-California's Self-Generation Incentive Program, or SGIP, rebate benefits homeowners who want to install a home battery with or without their solar panels. Some of the biggest benefits of SGIP exist to help California residents who’ve experienced hardship due to natural disasters. The program is currently out of funds. Your contractor can submit a waitlist application for you. Learn more about the program.
- Qualify by income — check the HUD calculator to see if your income is at 80% or lower than the Area Median Income level.
- Participate in and send in income verification for one of the following energy programs: California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) | Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) | Energy Saving Assistance (ESA).
- All eligible residential customers must participate in a Demand Response program to receive funding from this incentive program.

Action 7-10. Purchase or assemble an air purifier to protect your family's health from wildfire smoke and pollution

- Purchase a HEPA air purifier to create a space in your home with clean filtered air. Read this blog article from Consumer Reports to learn what to look for when shopping for purifiers, as well as other steps you can take to improve indoor air quality. Here are some HEPA air purifiers to consider.

- Learn how to create a DIY air purifier for under $40. Here’s a video explaining how. 

Action 7-11. Harden your home to protect it against wildfires

- Go to Fire Safe Marin's website for Tips on Hardening your Home.
 
RESIDENT RISK REDUCTION GRANTS
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority grants are given out annually to Marin residents. For the 2025/26 grant period through June 30, eligible Marin residents may apply for up to $1,500 per parcel for eligible projects. No matching funds are required this year!
Eligibility requirements:
The proposed work must address one of the following eligible items identified in your Wildfire Risk Report:
- Installation of gutter guards
- Installation of fire-resistant vents
- Installation of a non-combustible fence attachment to the house
- Removal of hazardous vegetation in Zone 0 (within 5 feet of a dwelling)

OTHER GRANTS AVAILABLE
- San Rafael: (up to $3,500)- Also wood shake roof replacement up to $5,500 (50% matching required)
- Novato Fire District (up to $2,500)

Action 7-12. Create defensible space

- Go to Fire Safe Marin's website for tips on Creating Defensible Space

RESIDENT RISK REDUCTION GRANTS 
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority: grants are given out annually to Marin residents. For the 2025/26 grant period, eligible Marin residents may apply for up to $1,500 per parcel for eligible projects. No matching funds are required this year! Eligibility requirements:
- The proposed work must address one of the following eligible items identified in the Wildfire Risk Report:
- Installation of gutter guards
- Installation of fire-resistant vents
- Installation of a non-combustible fence attachment to the house
- Removal of hazardous vegetation in Zone 0 (within 5 feet of a dwelling)

OTHER GRANTS AVAILABLE
San Rafael: (up to $2,500)  (50% matching required)
Novato Fire District (up to $1,000)

Action 7-13. Review your existing insurance policies for adequate coverage

- California Earthquake Authority Policy Calculator​
- Make sure you have Debris Removal Insurance.
- Safer From Wildfires Program: Get property insurance discounts for making your home safer from wildfires! After completing a wildfire mitigation action, you should contact your insurance company or agent/broker and advise them of the completed work. You may need to provide proof that the mitigation action was completed, or an inspection may be required to confirm that the mitigation action was completed. Your insurance company or agent/broker should be able to advise you of the amount of annual premium savings the mitigation action will result in, and the premium savings would be reflected at the start of the next policy period. Learn more here.
- Flood insurance – FEMA has drawn maps based on sea level rise and storm surges. Check your flood zone here.

Action 7-14. Sign up for Nextdoor

You can sign up for Nextdoor here.

Action 7-15. Exchange phone numbers with a neighbor and look out for each other

Pay attention to local alerts on the news in very hot weather and consider your neighbors who might need to be looked in on. Learn the symptoms of heat stroke and how to treat it.

You can also earn the 500 points by picking up Evacuation Tags and passing them out to your neighbors! You can pick them up at the locations listed at the bottom of this web page.

Action 7-16. Fill out our Household Resources and Needs Form and exchange with your neighbors

Fill out our Household Resources and Needs Form and exchange with your neighbors.

Action 7-17. Organize a Neighborhood Response Group 

When disasters happen, and people need help and assistance, neighbors turn to neighbors. Connect now with the people around you and don’t wait until disaster strikes to meet each other.

Go to the Ready Marin Neighborhood Response Group web page to find the representative in your area to contact if you would like to join or start a group in your neighborhood.

Check out the Southern Marin Neighborhood Response Group website. This site serves the Southern Marin community with easy, clear navigation to vital information for individuals and volunteers on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. Write to nrg@smfd.org if you are interested in joining or starting a group in Southern Marin.

Action 7-18. ​Help organize a community-building get-together or other event in your neighborhood

Possibilities include setting up a neighborhood garden or garden tool and produce-sharing network; clearing and chipping brush to reduce fire hazards; pulling flammable vegetation (e.g. broom) from a local open space; or tending to a neighborhood park. Contact your local fire department to see if they have tools you can use. 

Or have a block party! Many cities and towns allow you to apply for a temporary street closure on your block!

Action 7-19. Watch a Fire Safe Marin informational video

Check out the Wildfire Watch Channel for episodes that address the most current wildfire evacuation and preparedness information. Watch Voices of Marin to hear from Marin residents about their experiences with fire. For more videos, including do-it-yourself segments, see the Fire Safe Marin YouTube channel.

Action 7-20. Attend a CERT training

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a national program supported by FEMA that teaches you how to take care of yourself, your family, and to help your community until first responders can assist in an emergency. Video re: CERT Training

The CERT Basic Training is now free and open to all Marin County residents over the age of 18. 
The program is offered in two formats:
- In-Person Training: in-person trainings consist of 20 hours of instruction and hands-on practice in a classroom environment.  Check the Ready Marin Calendar to see if there are any upcoming CERT trainings scheduled.
​- Hybrid Training. This option was created due to COVID-19. It is a combination of 10-12 hours of online learning with a final exam, and one day of in-person instruction. 

Have you already taken the CERT Training? After you’ve taken the CERT training, you can take it again for free at any time to brush up on your skills. If you took CERT training in another state or county, they will recertify you.​​
Created with