Emergency Preparedness
Preparing for a disaster is an important part of keeping you, families, local businesses, schools, faith communities, senior citizens, those with access and functional needs, and all of Palo Alto safe.
Planning and preparing for this eventuality may save your life, minimize property damage, and reduce economic loss. Palo Alto has over 65,000 residents, but only 40-50 first responders on duty at any given time. Learning and preparing to be self-sufficient for at least 14 days will help you make it through a large disaster.
Stay Informed
There are many ways to receive public warnings and information and emergency alerts.
Sign up for alerts, stay connected, contact us.
Be Prepared
Individuals & Families
Learn how to prepare for the range of hazards that exist in Palo Alto. Find steps to know your hazards, make a plan, build a kit and stay informed.
Businesses
FEMA's Ready.Gov provides helpful resources to help plan for and recover from emergencies that may impact your business.
Schools
Whether day care, K-12 or college, school preparedness helps keep students and staff safe. The State of California established basic standards for emergency preparedness that all school leaders can use.
Faith Communities
Faith-based preparedness is important during emergencies so that staff and congregants know what to do. Faith-based organizations can also play an important role in a disaster to help the community during and after the emergency.
Seniors
If you are an older adult living in the community, you may face some challenges during an emergency. Support services that are usually available, such as help from caregivers or in-home health care and meal delivery services, may be unavailable for a period of time. In addition, older adults may experience challenges that come with advanced age, which may make it difficult to access, understand and respond to emergency instructions.
Access & Functional Needs
People with disabilities can be most at-risk during emergency situations. It is important to plan ahead to ensure you have assistive devices, supplies, a transportation plan, and more when the situation calls for it. Start your emergency planning now.
To ensure inclusive and equitable emergency response, the City of Palo Alto will reference and integrate the guidance from the County of Santa Clara’s Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Annex and its corresponding website.
County of Santa Clara AFN website
County of Santa Clara AFN annex
Be Safe
Stay safe in your daily routines
Utilities Safety: The City offers residents and businesses a full suite of City-owned and operated utility services including electricity, natural gas, water, sanitary sewer and fiber. Learn important safety information for each of these services and whom to contact when you have service issues.
Crime Prevention: While Palo Alto is a very safe city, crime still occurs here. Find important crime prevention safety tips from the Palo Alto Police Department for use in every day life.
Fire Prevention: Palo Alto Fire Department has resources and support for the community to prevent fires. Plus, the American Red Cross shares how your family can prevent home fires, escape from a home fire in 2 minutes, and recover after a home fire.
Preparedness Brochures
Download emergency preparedness brochures in five languages: English, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
Be Prepared - Threats and Hazards Brochure (PDFs)
Earthquake Preparedness Brochure (PDFs)
Severe Storm Tips Brochure (PDFs)
Palo Alto Emergency Services Volunteer Brochure (PDFs)
Know Your Hazards
The City of Palo Alto and its residents, businesses, schools, faith communities and special populations face potential hazards from natural, intentional and unintentional causes. Familiarize yourself with the threats and hazards facing Palo Alto.
Get Involved
Palo Alto's ESV Program. Are you a Palo Alto resident who wants to be involved in your neighborhood? Do you feel that you can help your neighbors? Learn more about getting involved with the Emergency Services Volunteer program.
