Emergency Preparedness & Response

The Emergency Preparedness Guide is specifically designed to help older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies to ensure they stay safe before, during, and after disasters and other emergency events.

LISTOS California provides several resources for individuals and community providers to prepare for emergencies and disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods, and pandemics like COVID-19. They have several valuable resources available to assist older adults with preparing older adults with for emergency events.

The Red Cross Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors Guide was prepared by older adults at the Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross. The guide contains important steps, tips, tools, and detailed actions that older adults can take to prepare for a disaster event.

Response.ca.gov is a one-stop website for information about shelters, transportation, air quality, and more.

The California Department of Social Services resource page provides information regarding public assistance and services available to individuals and families impacted by California wildfires and other natural disasters or emergencies.

Cal Alerts is a system where you can sign up to receive alerts about emergency situations that arise in your county. The types of alerts (text, e-mail, voicemail) vary by county.

For the latest updates on all major wildfire incidents currently in progress throughout the state.

Explore the list for local and state programs to aid in recovery and resilience:

• English
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• Tagalog
• Traditional Chinese
• Simplified Chinese
• Vietnamese

Ready, Set, Go! Your Personal Wildfire Action Plan.

CAL FIRE provides information on the process and tips to safely evacuate during a disaster event.

Per CAL FIRE guidance, if an area is evacuated due to wildfires, individuals are to immediately evacuate. Evacuating is always safer than remaining home during COVID-19. If an individual waits until the last minute to evacuate, the roads may have heavy traffic and road conditions may be dangerous. Blowing embers and debris from the fire may make it hard to see. While traveling in a vehicle, keep windows shut to protect against smoke inhalation.

Cooling Centers can provide a place for you and your family to go to cool down during hot summer days.

On extreme heat days, be prepared to reduce your energy use. Sign up to receive Flex Alerts, which alert consumers when voluntary energy conservation are necessary to avoid blackouts.

Various resources and tips.

Heat is deadlier than any other weather hazard. Be prepared for extreme heat events and find resources to help you stay safe.

Quick Guide to safety before, during, and after floods. Materials are available in 12 languages.

Information and resources from the CDC when preparing for a hurricane or other tropical storm.

LIHEAP provides assistance to eligible households with the goal of managing and meeting their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs.

CARE provides eligible Californians a 30-35% discount on electric bills and a 20% discount on natural gas bills.

FERA offers an 18% discount on electricity bills if household income slightly exceeds the CARE allowances.

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program offers free financial assistance to landlords and renters who need help with unpaid or future rent or utilities.

Depending on your household income, you may qualify for a discount on your water services. If your water service is about to be shut-off, you may be able to arrange a bill-payment plan.