Three key ways Contra Costa County residents can prepare for wildfires
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 6, 2025) — Last month, the wildfires in Los Angeles County devastated several communities, claiming lives and forever altering the landscape.
Many of us personally know someone who was directly affected by these disasters, which underscores the urgency of being prepared. As a retired police officer with experience in evacuations, I know firsthand how vital it is to equip our residents with the right tools to stay safe in emergencies.
Emergencies strike without warning and having the right information can make the difference between life and death. Here are three critical steps to stay prepared and act quickly:
Know your evacuation zone. Contra Costa County uses Genasys Protect, formerly known as Zonehaven Aware, to help residents stay informed. The platform allows users to save their location and receive real-time updates about their designated evacuation zone. It also provides the ability to track incidents, receive updates and make informed decisions during emergencies such as wildfires or chemical spills. To sign up, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search.
Sign up for the Community Warning System. CWS (https://cwsalerts.com) is one of the nation’s most advanced and effective all-hazard public warning systems. It alerts residents and businesses at risk of an emergency, providing timely updates via phone, text, email, sirens and social media. These alerts include critical information, such as evacuation instructions or shelter-in-place notices.
In the event of an evacuation, authorities usually issue a warning in advance. Those with mobility challenges should leave during the warning phase – waiting for law enforcement to knock on the door is risky. While cell phone warnings can be lifesaving, they’re typically issued only when there’s a high risk of significant loss of life and after local warnings have already been made. This is why planning is so important.
Create a detailed emergency plan. In times of crisis, chaos often makes it hard to stay organized, which is why it’s essential to plan. Develop a family emergency plan that includes communication protocols, meeting points, evacuation routes and a go-bag with essential items (e.g., water, medications, important documents). Being prepared helps ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do.
Don’t wait for the next disaster to act. By preparing now, families and communities will be better equipped to handle the unexpected.
I encourage all Contra Costa County residents to sign up for both Genasys Protect and CWS alerts and share this vital information with friends and neighbors. The more people who prepare, the safer our community will be when disaster strikes.
Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.