City Update: Disaster Preparedness and Wildfire Safety

June 4, 2021

The fifth City Update, hosted by San Ramon Deputy City Manager Steven Spedowfski, was streamed live on YouTube on Friday, June 4 at 9 a.m. Following an introduction by Councilmember Mark Armstrong, a panel of guests provided information on Disaster Preparedness and Wildfire Safety.

Guests include:

Les Putnam, PG&E
Sarah Yoell, PG&E
Vincent Martinez, FEMA Region 9
Danielle Bell, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
Captain Denton Carlson, San Ramon Police Department

Full Video

Watch the full video below, or click here to view the recording on YouTube.

Clip

PG&E Government Relations Representative Sarah Yoell and Public Safety Supervisor Les Putnam present an update on PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program in San Ramon, Contra Costa County and system-wide. The presentation covers wildfire risks across PG&E’s service area (1:22); wildfire mitigation efforts (3:04); Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS (9:11); PSPS communications with customers (11:15); how PG&E is increasing support to customers and communities before, during and after a PSPS (12:46); wildfire safety contact information for PG&E (14:01); and circuits in relation to high fire threat areas in San Ramon (14:34).

Watch the presentation below, or click here to watch it on YouTube.

Resources

Please see the links below for additional resources and information mentioned in this broadcast.

California Public Utilities Commission Fire Threat Maps

This map from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) designates areas that are most at risk for wildfire, and helps with planning and prioritizing wildfire prevention efforts by CalFire, Cal OES, the State of California, and utility companies.

ALERT Wildfire Cameras - South & East Bay

Live cameras help utility companies monitor for fires. Cameras for the East Bay can be viewed online at the link above.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Updates

In the event of a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), PG&E will notify customers via automated calls, texts, and emails. Customers are encouraged to review their contact information at pge.com/mywildfirealerts.

Service updates are also available via the PG&E Website, and PG&E’s social media accounts on Twitter @PGE4Me, Facebook @pacificgasandelectric, and Instagram @pacificgasandelectric.

PG&E Address Alerts

Sign up for notifications about Public Safety Power Shutoffs for any location, such as the home of a friend or loved one, your child’s school or day care, or your work or business.

Wildfire Safety Information from PG&E:

PG&E Wildfire Safety

Email: wildfiresafety@pge.com

Phone: 1-866-743-6589

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Ready.gov
This site provides emergency preparedness tips and resources for extreme heat, wildfires, drought, and more. Resources include checklists for emergency kits, evacuation plans, alerts, financial preparedness, and more.

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a joint publication from Operation Hope and FEMA, can help you prepare financially and provides tips to reduce the financial impact of disasters on you and your family.

San Ramon Police Department - Emergency Preparedness

View local emergency preparedness resources from the San Ramon Police Department.

Wildfire Preparedness Resources

ReadyforWildfire.org

CalFire’s website includes extensive preparedness resources, including a web-based app for creating a custom wildfire preparedness action plan, how to sign up for text messages about wildfire incidents near you, and evacuation steps to follow.

BeReadySRV.org

Local disaster preparedness information from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, to help residents understand potential risks and how best to mitigate them.

Resources include: Be Prepared, Be Trained, Be Informed, Be Supplied and how to Be Ready Kids!

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) San Ramon Valley

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District’s Exterior Hazard Abatement program is designed to reduce or prevent the spread of wildfire from one property to another. The annual deadline for exterior hazard abatement (any overgrowth of grasses, weeds, shrubbery or trees), is May 31. To report an area with weed growth that needs to be addressed, visit the SRVFPD website to fill out an online report.

Emergency Communications and Alerts

Community Warning System (CWS) Contra Costa Alerts
Register to receive emergency alerts from Contra Costa County.

Nixle Alerts: Text your ZIP code to 888777 for mobile emergency alerts

View latest Nixle alerts for San Ramon

San Ramon Police Department - Crisis Communications
View a list of channels used by the San Ramon Police Department for emergency communications.