Sebastopol Ready aims to connect Sebastopol area residents with programs that can help them be prepared for emergencies. Behind the Sebastopol Ready effort is the philosophy of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Getting to know your neighbors, their needs and capabilities, is one of the most effective ways to prepare for an emergency. We will need to rely on each other for help until police and fire departments and other agencies are available.

Things you can do today:

• Download and use this Personal Emergency Plan from the Sonoma County Office of Emergency Services. 

• Download and look at this How-to guide for Neighborhood Evacuation Drills 

• Sign up for the mailing list to be notified of new events such as trainings.

Emergency Managers all understand that in a major emergency, there will likely never be enough first responders to address all the needs of a community during the first 24-72 hours. Depending on the disaster, it may be even longer. We need to be prepared to take care of ourselves and our neighbors.

Meet Your Neighbors 

Sebastopol Ready supports the Meet Your Neighbors West County (MYNWC) program, which introduces a simple 8-step framework for organizing your neighborhood before and after an emergency. 

• View the MYN Booklet.

• Visit the MYNWC website to get involved.

The MYNWC Program has many experienced and active MYN Leaders volunteering to assist new Leaders. Together they explore ways to involve neighbors and implement the 8 simple steps of MYN. 

Radio Communications

Sebastopol Ready encourages the use of handheld radios for communications during an emergency when land lines and cellphones may not work. Radio can connect you to others in your area who can provide information or assistance. 

The Sebastopol Neighborhood Communications Unit (SNCU) is a local volunteer group that organizes a handheld radio network using GMRS and FRS radios. The goal is to assist others who are seeking help and provide reliable information during an emergency.  SNCU operates a community net that meets on the first Monday of each month at 7pm on Channel 7 (7 on 7) and the English Hill repeater. 

• Decide if you want to buy a radio and learn to use it. 

• Participate in monthly radio check-ins

The North Bay Communications Collective (NBCC) is a countywide emergency radio group that supports and coordinates use of radios in the County. To learn more about radio communications:

• Download the NBCC training manual for Baofang UV-5G GMRS radios

• Check out their FAQs on obtaining a license and programming your radio.

Learn more about the Sebastopol Neighborhood Communication Unit 

Evacuation Zones

Sebastopol has four evacuation zones shown in the map below.

Here’s a link to the above map to zoom in for more detail.

If you live outside Sebastopol, use the evacuation map for Sonoma County to find your zone. 

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT is a free program offered by Sonoma County that trains people how to respond in emergencies—how to treat injuries, deal with different types of fires, evacuate buildings. CERT basic training involves 24 hours of class time. One-day and three-day courses in Spanish and English are scheduled through the year.

To sign up for classes or ask for calendar of trainings, contact: deisy.vargas@sonomacounty.gov

The next CERT training is scheduled for March 2026.  Link.

Sonoma County Resources

An overview of Sonoma County preparation for emergencies is at:

https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/