September is National Preparedness Month, and the Southern Marin Fire Protection District (SMFD) is leading the charge with its Preparedness Starts at Home campaign — a five-week series designed to help families and individuals take simple, effective steps to get ready before disaster strikes.
From learning about local hazards and creating a family emergency plan to building a go-bag and staying connected with real-time alerts, this month offers practical tips, local resources, and free community training to strengthen your household’s resilience.
Join your neighbors at the Disaster Preparedness Class on Tuesday, September 29, and follow SMFD’s weekly themes to stay informed, prepared, and ready to act when it matters most.
Weekly Highlights:
· Week 1 (Sept 1 – 7): Know Your Risk
Learn about local hazards like wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and storms to understand what threats affect your area.
· Week 2 (Sept 8 – 14): Make a Family Emergency Plan
Create a clear, practiced plan so everyone knows what to do during an emergency.
· Week 3 (Sept 15 – 21): Build an Emergency Supply Kit
Assemble a go-bag with food, water, and essentials for 5–7 days.
· Week 4 (Sept 22 – 28): Get Involved in Your Community
Join CERT or take a free class to learn lifesaving skills.
· Week 5 (Sept 29 – Oct 5): Stay Connected with Alerts
Sign up for Alert Marin and Nixle for real-time emergency updates.
Disaster Preparedness Class
Tam Valley Community Center
305 Bell Ave., Mill Valley
Tuesday, September 29 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a free hands-on training to learn practical skills that will help protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. Click for class info.
Survival Checklist Highlights
Get Alerts & Stay Informed: Sign up at AlertMarin.org and monitor emergency.marincounty.gov for real-time updates.
Pack a Go Kit: Include essentials like a phone and charger, ID, medications, water, flashlight and batteries, N95 mask, wallet, and keys.
Evacuate Safely: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Leave early using paved roads—never a fire road—and have your Go Kit ready to grab.
Prepare Your Home: Close windows and doors, remove combustibles near your house, and check in on neighbors who may need extra help.
Understand Alerts:
- Evacuation Order = Leave immediately
- Evacuation Warning = Be ready to leave
- Red Flag Warning = High fire danger — prepare now
Click for full survival check list.
