Ready Oakland

The Emergency Management Services Division (EMSD) is part of the Oakland Fire Department. We are responsible for the City of Oakland's response, recovery, and mitigation to any hazard that affects our community.

We build community resilience through:

Making a Plan: We help create emergency plans for the city, and support neighborhoods & businesses in making their own plans.
Building Teams: We bring city staff, volunteers, and community groups together to work as a team during disasters.
Training: We train the community on how to prepare for a disaster.
Equipping: We make sure emergency teams have the right tools and supplies.
Exercising and Evaluating: We run drills to test our emergency plans and learn what works well and what needs to be improved.

Get Involved & Get Ready

We all have a role to play in keeping Oakland safe. Explore our site to find resources, sign up for training, or learn how you can help your community prepare.

EMSD is currently updating our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. You can click here to provide feedback.

Let's build a strong Oakland - together.

Stay Informed

Learn how to stay informed during a major disaster. Sign up to receive alerts. Get informed about the hazards that can affect the City of Oakland and what you can do.

Be Prepared and Involved

Learn how to be prepared and involved before a major disaster or emergency. Find information on classes, learn more about hazards local to the City of Oakland, and find checklists on emergency supplies you should have on hand.

Planning for Emergencies

Learn about all the hazards that affect the City of Oakland, how you can prepare for them, and understand how the City of Oakland prepares for, and plans to respond to our local hazards.

Topic Areas

Monthly Safety Tip

Did you know?

According to the USDA, canned food is good for up to 5 years, depending on what is in the can. Highly acidic foods will have a shorter lifespan.

February is National Canned Food Month and is a great opportunity to check or start building your emergency food supplies. It is important to have ready-to-eat emergency food and water, and other emergency supplies on hand in case of severe winter storms or other major disasters. It may take days or weeks to restore power to grocery stores and restaurants.

When building your emergency supply kit, remember to include can openers, comfort snacks, and food for infants and pets if applicable to your household. On a budget? You don’t have to have purchase a complete kit. Build it piece by piece and check out the dollar store for cost-effective, shelf-stable foods.

Remember to check your emergency food, water, and batteries for expiration dates. Discard expired items as well as cans that are bulging or badly dented.

Bonus tip! When you buy new packages of water, canned foods, and batteries, swap the new items with the items in your emergency kit. This way, you can use up items before they expire and still maintain your emergency supply kit.

Have you signed up to receive emergency alerts? Read more about how to stay informed and sign up for AC Alert.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the City of Oakland prepare for disasters?

The City of Oakland has several plans in place to prepare for a variety of major emergencies. Our Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was last updated in 2023. Along with this are several Hazard Annexes that each detail specific information for specific hazards.
The City maintains a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) which is currently being revised for 2026. You can view the draft LHMP and provide feedback at our upcoming town hall meeting and subsequent public comment period by visiting the Oakland Hazard Plan page.

How should I prepare in the event of an emergency?

Follow our guide on how to Stay Informed, Be Prepared and Involved, and Make a Plan. Remember to opt-in for alerts and adjust our suggestions to suit the unique needs of your household.
You can also sign up for a Personal Emergency Preparedness class and join your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Is there someone who can make a presentation to my group or organization?

The best way to request a presentation is by partnering with us to host a Personal Emergency Preparedness workshop. Each workshop is 90 minutes long and participants will be given a free starter Go Bag at the end of the workshop. Email us at CORE@OaklandCA.gov for more information.

How will I be advised of an emergency event affecting the city?

The most important thing to do is to sign up for AC Alert. This opt-in service allows you to subscribe to alerts that can be targeted to a specific part of town. See our Stay Informed page for additional ways to get information in an emergency.

How will persons with disabilities evacuate?

During a major disaster, first responders will be engaged in life-saving activity throughout the city. It may take time for them to reach you. It is important to have a network of individuals who can support you until help can arrive. Keep emergency supplies on hand so that you can sustain yourself in the event it takes a few days for help to arrive. Make arrangements with friends and neighbors to help you during an emergency.

How can I prepare my business or organization for a disaster?

Make sure you have adequate emergency supplies for your staff.
Conduct regular training including emergency plans for fire, earthquake, evacuation, and any other hazard that may affect your neighborhood.
Create a Continuity of Operations Plan to ensure that your business can get up and running again after a major emergency.

Where can I find renters' and homeowners' insurance? Where can I find earthquake insurance?

While we do not recommend any insurance companies or types of policies you should get, we want to remind everyone that many renters' and homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood, earthquakes, or wildfires. Please speak with your insurance broker or an insurance professional for additional guidance.

I have a special skill or resource; how can I contribute during an emergency?

Thank you for your willingness to assist during an emergency. There are several things that can happen and several things you can do.

Join a local volunteer organization. During an emergency, the City of Oakland may partner with one or more volunteer organization.
Join Oakland’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). To start, you can take the FREE CERT training provided by the Oakland Fire Department’s Emergency Management Services Division. After you complete your training, you will be connected with others in your neighborhood.
Monitor the news during an emergency. If the situation warrants, the City or a local volunteer organization may issue a request for specialized services such as the need for commercial truck drivers, interpreters, or trade skills.
Medically trained individuals can join the Alameda County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and register to be a California Disaster Healthcare Volunteer through the Alameda County MRC.

In all situations, although we appreciate your willingness to help, please DO NOT self-deploy into an area impacted by a disaster unless instructed to do so.

I am a Disaster Service Worker (DSW); what should I know?

Per California Government Code Section 3100-3109, public employees may be called upon as a disaster service worker in the event of an emergency. Assigned duties may differ from your regular day-to-day responsibilities and duties.
City of Oakland employees should check-in with their supervisor during a disaster. For more information, City of Oakland employees should refer to AI 6804 or speak to their immediate supervisor.