The county is offering educational events to help prepare the community when disasters strike.
MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County is offering a comprehensive schedule of educational events this September, designed to help the community prepare for natural disasters and build resilience before, during and after major emergencies.
“Disasters don’t wait for notice, whether it’s wildfire, earthquake, flood or storm. My advice to every Marin resident is simple: start small, start now. Build a go‐bag, make a communication plan with your family, know your local evacuation routes and then tailor everything to your life,” Steven Torrance, Marin County Director of Emergency Management, told Patch. “If you have pets, special medical needs, or limited mobility, your plan should reflect that. Holistic preparedness means thinking not only of your home, but your health, your community, and what matters to you personally.”
ReadyMarin, an Office of Emergency Management program, ensures all Marin residents, especially those most at-risk, can access emergency preparedness resources and training.
Free 90-minute preparedness classes are offered in English and Spanish throughout September countywide. These sessions cover family plans, go-bags, emergency information, hands-only CPR, and fire extinguisher use. Participants receive a free go-bag. Space is limited. Sign up atReadyMarin.org.
“No two households are the same, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to being ready,” Torrance told Patch. “While the County can plan, build infrastructure, and lead response efforts, true resilience comes when each person embraces preparedness tailored to their circumstances — what you can carry, what you need for your medical condition, what supports your neighbors, and what fits your lifestyle. When individual planning and county planning work together, the whole community becomes stronger and safer.”
The County is partnering with local agencies to support community preparedness through upcoming events, including:
Corte Madera Farmers Market – Every Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Corte Madera Town Center
“Caregivers & Emergency Preparedness” Class – Tuesday, September 23, 6-7 p.m. at 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
Underserved groups, such as older adults, low-income households, and unhoused individuals, are often most impacted by natural disasters. With climate change bringing more frequent and severe events like floods, wildfires, and droughts, preparedness is crucial.
For those who can’t attend in person? here are some steps to start:
Sign up to receive emergency alerts at Emergency.MarinCounty.gov.
Before, during, and after a disaster, create a communication plan with your friends and family.
Gather emergency kits, such as go-bags and stay boxes, with enough supplies to last several days for everyone in the household.
“Marin County has invested heavily in preparing for disasters,” Torrance told Patch. “We’ve upgraded our alert and warning system, AlertMarin, improved wildfire mitigation through fuel management and defensible space program and strengthened coordination among first responders, fire districts, health agencies and nonprofits. We conduct regular drills and community outreach so that both county staff and residents know their roles when disaster strikes.”