Emergency Preparedness

During a disaster, City personnel are the first to safeguard the life and property of our residents. Our mission is to provide the very best emergency services possible and strengthen local operations by educating our community about potential disasters. The City of Ventura is susceptible to various types of disasters that include earthquakes, terrorism, fires, tsunamis, flooding, hazardous materials, landslides and coastal oil spills. A disaster is a community problem, and to fulfill our mission we need the support and active participation of the people we serve. We encourage you to stay involved and informed so that you are well prepared in the event of an emergency.

Want to get information during an emergency in your neighborhood?
Ventura residents can receive emergency messages through CodeRED, a high-speed emergency notifcation telephone system that delivers critical messages such as evacuation notices directly to you. Our system automatically dials a primary residential (landline) phone however; wireless phones must be registered individually to receive notification of an emergency situation or critical community alert. Residents are encouraged to sign up and receive real-time emergency messages should a critical situation occur in your neighborhood. Click here to sign up for Code Red.
Are you ready?
Reducing the risk of fire and other destructive hazards calls for help from our community. Due to extended drought conditions and climate change, fire season is year round. If you live next to a natural area, the Wildland Urban Interface, you must provide firefighters with the defensible space they need to protect your home. The buffer zone you create by removing weeds, brush and other vegetations helps to keep the fire away from your home and reduces the risks from flying embers. Creating a defensible space around your home is required space between a structure and the wildland area that, under normal conditions, creates a sufficient buffer to slow or halt the spread of wildfire to a structure. It protects the home from igniting due to direct flame or radiant heat. Defensible space is essential for structure survivability during wildfire conditions. The Ready, Set Go! guide will help you through the process of making your home resistant to wildfires and your family ready to leave early and safely. Click here to download the publication and plan your personal Wildfire Action Plan today.
Get a Kit
• Water and food
• Battery powered radio
• Flashlight
• First Aid Kit
• Essential medications
Plan on being on your own for at least 72 hours.
Make a Plan
• Have contact numbers for family members and an out of town contact.
• Designate a place for your family to meet outside of the home and neighborhood.
• Find out what the evacuation location is for your child’s school.
Related Emergency Preparedness Links/Useful Contact Information:
FEMA
1.800.621.3362
Ready.gov
1.800.480.2520
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
202.282.8000
CA Office of Emergency Services
916.845.8510
Red Cross Ventura County
805.339.2234
Ventura County Fire Department
805.389.9710
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
805.654.2380
Ventura County Health Care Agency
805.677.5110
Ventura County Public Health Department
805.981.5301
Ventura Unified School District
805.641.5000
Ventura Disaster Hotline: 805.477.3711
Activated during disasters, the City’s disaster hotline provides residents with information during a citywide disaster. During a major disaster a City staff member will answer the line.







