TransparencyStay Cool and Safe: Sacramento County Cooling Centers Open May 30–31
With high temperatures forecasted, Sacramento County is activating cooling centers to provide residents with relief from the heat. These centers will be open on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM each day. Facilities are pet-friendly (one pet per person, two per couple; pets must be crated), and amenities include snacks, warm meals, phone/device charging stations, and restrooms.
Office of Emergency Services
In emergency situations, knowing your local Office of Emergency Services (OES) is important! Visit your county’s OES website to find further information on disaster preparedness resources in your area. Sign up to receive emergency alerts according to your county, visit California OES Wireless Emergency Alerts.
County websites:
Preparing for the Spring Season
As we welcome the arrival of spring, it’s important to prioritize safety and preparedness for unexpected events. Start by refreshing your emergency kit—check for expired food, medications, and batteries, and replace them with fresh supplies to ensure they’re ready when needed. Regularly test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries twice a year—ideally during daylight saving time changes—and consider upgrading units older than ten years.
How to Stay Safe During Warm Weather
There is hot, and then there is hot! Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. Stay safe from heat-related illness this season by following these simple tips
Blue Envelope Program
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with Alta California Regional Center to launch the Blue Envelope Program, which is used to enhance communication between law enforcement and neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, dementia, anxiety, or other cognitive conditions.
This voluntary initiative provides free, easily recognizable tools such as blue envelopes, lanyards, wristbands, and seatbelt covers that signal to officers that a person may require additional support during interactions.
Communication Cards
In times of disaster, clear communication is crucial—especially for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or nonverbal. These Disaster Communication Cards provide a simple yet effective way to help bridge communication gaps during emergencies.
Emergency and Safety ASL Signs
In an emergency, knowing ASL signs to communicate important information is imperative! You can learn signs for words like “ambulance,” “help you,” and more with this Emergency and Safety ASL signs guide. Click the pictures or scan the QR code to access a video tutorial for each sign.
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and PG&E Resources
Severe weather, such as high winds, can cause trees or debris to damage equipment. If there is dry vegetation, this could lead to a wildfire. That’s why PG&E may need to turn power off to keep you safe. This temporary outage is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
Resources are available for you to help you prepare and respond for a PSPS:
Feeling Safe, Being Safe
Training by the Department of Developmental Services
Emergency Preparedness planning is essential to minimizing the impacts of disasters on communities and individuals. Most people do not think about how a disaster could affect their lives, so they are often unprepared to deal with a community emergency. Feeling Safe, Being Safe provides tools and instructions that are used easily to create a personal plan and be better prepared.
The Department of Developmental Services created videos that serve as informational guides for Feeling Safe, Being Safe:
Red Cross Wildfire Pre-Planning and Evacuation Training
The Red Cross Wildfire Pre-Planning and Evacuation training took place May 2023 and June 2023 in partnerships with other organizations including Department of Developmental Services and the 21 regional centers. Below you will find links to the presentation slides, materials and Frequently Asked Questions.
Red Cross
Wildfire Pre-Planning and Evacuation Training
California's Adult Residential Facility Guide to Wildfire Evacuation
Wildfire Evacuation Conversation Starter for Staff and Individuals Served
Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness for Residential Facility Staff
Red Cross Wildfire Pre-Planning and Evacuation Training FAQs
Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness for Residential Facility Staff