On April 11, the Estates Fountains Firewise Community held a neighborhood evacuation drill to practice quickly gathering essentials and safely exiting the area. Despite rainy weather, 20 neighbors (and a few dogs!) participated, meeting at Zion Lutheran Church to debrief and share key learnings.
Participants discussed go-bag essentials, evacuation routes, and the importance of communication, highlighting tools like AC Alerts and the Genasys Protect app, as well as the potential for a neighborhood WhatsApp group. The group explored ways to support neighbors who may need assistance, including developing a buddy system.
Attendees received starter emergency kits donated by a neighbor, including hand-crank radios, device chargers, flashlights, first aid kits, and more. Comparing go-bag supplies reinforced that even small steps can make a big difference in preparedness.
The drill also sparked meaningful reflections, including stories from the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire. Hearing about evacuation experience announcements broadcast by helicopter underscored how much has changed, while also reminding that the risks remain. Practicing evacuation will help strengthen readiness for the future.
Thank you to the CABSS Firewise community for sharing resources, and to all the neighbors who showed up and took an important step toward building a safer, more prepared community. Special thanks to Leslie Louie and Tommy Hayes for sharing their experience organizing the drill.