Nobody likes to think about emergencies, but they are a fact of life. Sometimes it's just you and your family, and other times it may be the entire city. Here are several important actions you and your family (or you and your business associates) can take to make sure you are prepared for an emergency:

Resources

Emergency Preparedness

  • In case you are separated in an emergency, choose 2 places to meet: right outside your home in case of sudden emergency, and outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home
  • Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person, and make sure the contact information is saved on cell phones.
  • Consider any special needs for children, seniors, and people with disabilities
  • Be prepared for the most likely emergencies for the area.
    • Red Cross Disaster Safety Library
  • Prepare an emergency plan and conduct a drill with family members

Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies

  • Water: 1 gallon per person per day (2-week supply).
  • Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (2-week supply)
  • Manual can opener
  • Disposable dishes and utensils
  • Household bleach (for sanitizing)
  • Flashlights and lanterns or light sticks
  • Radio: battery-powered or hand-cranked
  • Batteries
  • Whistle on a lanyard
  • Spare eyeglasses, personal medical supplies (like insulin) and medications (2-week supply)
  • Emergency blankets, sleeping bags (optional tent)
  • First-aid kit: either buy a kit or make your own (Red Cross: Make a First Aid Kit)
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Personal emergency contact list and community emergency resources (listed in item 5 below)
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Paper and pens or pencils
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Pet supplies: canned food with can opener, water, bowls; medications; sturdy leashes and carriers; pet beds
  • Laminated current photos of family members and pets with details on the back in case they are missing
  • Cell phones with chargers (auto chargers work even when you don't have electricity)
  • Extra cash (in small bills; making change may be difficult)
  • Maps of the area
  • Gasoline for vehicles in case of evacuation
  • Complete change of clothing, including long sleeved shirt, long pants and extra underwear
  • Rain gear, towels, gloves, hats, work shoes
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Games and activities for children

While the Earthquake is happening:

  • Get under a desk or table if possible, otherwise shelter against an interior wall. Hold on to it until the shaking stops
  • Hallways tend to be the safest places, while kitchens and garages are the least safe
  • Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, and tall furniture
  • When outdoors, move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, and electrical wires
  • When driving, pull over and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking stops

Preparing for earthquakes:

  • Strap your water heater and any tall furniture that could topple
  • Hang mirrors and artwork on closed hooks
  • Install secure latches on cabinet doors
  • Keep baby cribs away from windows and tall unsecured bookshelves that could slide or topple
  • Know where shutoff valves are located for water and gas, and keep necessary tools at hand
  • Have security lights in each room in your house
  • Keep a list of medications, allergies, special medical equipment, and contact info for doctors, pharmacists, and family members
  • Create a defensible space around your home. Clear brush away from your house in a 100-foot radius in fire-prone areas, and keep space between any trees planted within that zone
  • Be careful during routine outdoor activities (mowing, weeding) that can spark a fire
  • Don't drive your vehicles onto dry grass or brush
  • Follow the rules when burning debris on your property
  • Find out more on the CalFire Website.

Call 911 for extreme emergencies — like downed power lines, medical emergencies, or other life-threatening situations.

Medical & Emergency Services Contacts:

  • Mendocino Coast District Hospital: 707-961-1234 700 River Drive, Fort Bragg
  • Fort Bragg Police Department (non-emergency number): 707-964-0200 250 Cypress Street, Fort Bragg
  • Fort Bragg Volunteer Fire Department: 707-961-2831 141 N. Main St, Fort Bragg
  • Highway Patrol (Ukiah): 707-467-4040
  • Mendocino County Sheriff's Office (Ukiah): 707-463-4411 or (Fort Bragg substation): 707-964-6308
  • PG&E: 800-743-5002 to report outages and get updates on your location
  • Water/Sewer Emergencies:
    • Report a Water or Sewer Problem
    • Water problems: If you need your water turned off for broken pipes or plumbing fixtures, and if it is during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, please call 1-707-961-2825. If your problem is outside these hours, please call the Fort Bragg Police Department, at 1-707-964-0200
    • Sewer problems: If you have sewer backing up in your residence or property and you are not using any water or appliances that use water (that could cause the backup) and if it is during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, please call 1-707-961-2825. If your problem is outside these hours, please call the Fort Bragg Police Department, at 1-707-964-0200

Marine Emergencies:

  • U.S. Coast Guard: 707-964-6611
  • Noyo Harbor Manager: 707-964-4719

American Red Cross (Sonoma & Mendocino Counties): 707-463-0112 (or 707-577-7600) Staff will dispatch local volunteers from this number. Alternate number: 800-876-4766