September is National Preparedness Month!

The month of September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Dublin urges all residents to take time this month to prepare yourself and your family for what you may face in the event of a disaster. Emergencies that we might encounter - earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires - often come without warnings, so it is important to be prepared for any potential disaster. The goal of National Preparedness Month for residents and the city is survival of the event and a return to stability in a timely manner in the aftermath.

STEP ONE: Sign up for emergency notifications through AC Alert. When disaster strikes, every second counts, so it is critical that you stay informed on the latest public safety information. AC Alert is an ultra-high-speed telephonic communication service that allows local authorities to telephone targeted areas during an emergency situation that requires immediate action, such as evacuation orders, utility outages, and more. Contact information for landlines is already built into the system; however, if you no longer have a landline phone at your home, you must register your mobile device and e-mail address with AC Alert in order to receive notifications.

STEP TWO: Every member of the family should have an Emergency Preparedness "go-kit." These kits should be made or purchased for your home, car, and office to provide food, water, tools, and medical supplies for a minimum of three to five days following an earthquake or other major disaster. Learn what to put in your "go kit."

STEP THREE: Each family should also create a Family Emergency Communications Plan. While the City of Dublin will likely set up evacuation sites in the event of a disaster, families should also determine how they'll contact one another and reconnect, if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find.

STEP FOUR: Practice, practice, practice! Gather your family on a regular basis and rehearse how to evacuate your home in the event of an emergency.

STEP FIVE: "Know Your Zone" in the event of an evacuation. Alameda County has partnered with genasys Protect (formerly ZoneHaven), an emergency evacuation platform, to help residents identify their evacuation zone on a map, stay up to date on their evacuation status, and follow incident progress. In addition to syncing with AC Alert, the platform models traffic and fire-spreading scenarios, providing real-time weather, traffic, and shelter information. To identify your evacuation zone, visit genasys and type in your home address.

The City of Dublin, in partnership with Alameda County Fire, often hosts Disaster Preparedness Workshops. Subscribe to the City of Dublin's alerts and news flashes, where you'll learn of information about disaster preparedness trainings.