Three phone-based warning systems can help protect you. Two of these systems require you to opt-in and the third requires that you have your contact information recorded in their system. You should sign up for all systems. (For obvious reasons you are urged to keep your cell phone nearby and charged during fire season.) Other services below are helpful in obtaining information regarding emergency situations.
- Alert Marin is keyed to each home’s address. An alert is sent if—and only if—emergency officials determine that there is risk to the home at the listed address. If, for example a home nearby catches fire but poses no threat to neighboring houses, no alert will be sent. (The reason is that evacuations pose dangers to the evacuees and first responders as well. Unnecessary evacuations are to be avoided.) Sign up for Alert Marin at AlertMarin.org or use the QR code above.
- Nixle is a source of information on a variety of potentially dangerous events that occur in your ZIP code. An alert from Nixle does not mean that your home is at risk. Sign up for Nixle at Nixle.com or text the above code from your smartphone.
- PG&E: Log into your account at PG&E and make sure that the contact information recorded is correct. PG&E has committed to directly contact customers that will be affected by a planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). If you do not have your PG&E account accessible online, register at this location.
- ZoneHaven is a new online resource that includes evacuation information by zones/neighborhoods and provides real-time data on wildfires, emergencies, and fire risks. Community members can check their evacuation zone to be more informed on current conditions of active emergencies and monitor evacuation status. This new tool does not replace AlertMarin, the countywide emergency notification system used to alert residents of emergencies. Go to ZoneHaven or use the QR code to find your Zone.
- Marin County Public Emergency Portal is a source of information during an emergency and for emergency preparedness and response. During an emergency, this site will provide you with the last information on the emergency & recommended actions for you to take. It will also connect you to resources to plan & be prepared for an emergency.
- Bypass DO NOT DISTURB on Your Smartphone: If you have DO NOT DISTURB active on your smartphone, you could miss a critical AlertMarin warning or evacuation alert. To avoid that situation, follow the procedure below.
- Evacuated Tags: A new evacuation tag program provides free tags to property owners who can place them on their homes once they’ve evacuated. The goal of this program is to speed up evacuations by signaling to public safety teams when a home has already been evacuated. The free tags are specific to the City or County in which you live. Please pick up your San Rafael evacuation tag at the San Rafael Public Safety Center at 1375 Fifth Avenue.
Taken together these systems can give you a clear picture of what’s going on. Nixle will alert you to any danger nearby. If you don’t also get an alert from Alert Marin, then your house is not in danger. You don’t have to do anything. PG&E should alert you of a planned PSPS. ZoneHaven and the Marine County Public Emergency Portal will give you information as to the emergency level and evacuation route if needed.