Fire Department, News Release

National Preparedness Month begins today—start by learning your evacuation zone and signing up for AC Alert emergency notifications

September 1, 2021

Cracks in asphalt from an earthquake, a wildfire and flooded street

Throughout September, the City of Hayward will be participating in the federal government’s National Preparedness Month campaign by highlighting weekly emergency preparation activities and providing resources to help Hayward households get ready.

The week 1 focus is on encouraging households to Make a Plan, which entails developing a more complete understanding of the types of disasters and other emergencies most likely to occur in our community and knowing how to connect with one another in an emergency and reconnect if separated.

As part of making a preparedness plan, the Hayward Fire Department is renewing its call for all residents to go online to a new fire service-supported website, Zonehaven AWARE, to become familiar with new emergency evacuation zones and signup to receive AC Alert emergency notifications.

Through public participation in Zonehaven and AC Alert, the Hayward Fire Department other Alameda County fire service and first-responder agencies envision being able to target emergency communication and manage the movement of people more effectively and efficiently during wildfires, earthquakes and other types of natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters.

During weeks 2, 3 and 4 of National Preparedness Month 2021, the national campaign focus shifts to building a household evacuation kit; then to low- and no-cost steps to improve the resiliency of one’s home in the face of storms, fire and and other common hazards; and wraps up with strategies and approaches for talking with youth about preparing for emergencies.

To learn more, go online to www.ready.gov, the federal government’s official preparedness website, and here to the Hayward Fire Department’s emergency preparedness webpage on the City of Hayward website.

If you have questions or need help getting started, call Hayward Fire Department administration at (510) 583-4930 or send an email to FiresafeHFD@hayward-ca.gov.