Disaster Preparedness

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Information on Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness

The public’s health and safety is a top priority for the City of Palm Desert, but preparing for a major earthquake or other disaster requires teamwork and a joint effort between citizens, businesses and their government.

The emergency preparedness information on this site is provided by the City of Palm Desert to help you protect yourself, your family, and your property in case of an emergency.

Resources

Presentations

Palm Desert Earthquake Preparedness Brochure

Sign Up For Emergency Alerts

The City of Palm Desert has partnered with Nixle to provide email and text message emergency alerts directly to you. The City will use Nixle for critical situations such as severe weather events, evacuations, and security threats.

Information on Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness

Earthquake Warning California is managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system. The warning system is designed to give California residents a few moments warning to take cover before shaking occurs.

To receive earthquake warnings, download the free MyShake App, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store. To learn more about Earthquake Warning California or for industry/business resources to help spread the word with your employees, customers, and the public, visit earthquake.ca.gov.

En Español: https://earthquake.ca.gov/pagina-principal/

Disaster Hotlines and External Links

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to talk with someone in person for guidance or information. To find a center near you, use the DRC Locator or text DRC and your zip code to 4FEMA (43362). Example: DRC 01234. (Standard text message rates apply.)

Search for open shelters near you by texting SHELTER and your zip code to 4FEMA (43362). Example: Shelter 01234. (Standard text message rates apply.)

Locate the nearest shelter or find your local Red Cross.

Find your closest hospital, by using the U.S. Hospital Finder.

Apply for assistance on DisasterAssistance.gov.

Search on FEMA.gov for up-to-date information on Presidentially declared disasters and learn how to get assistance.

Visit Ready.gov for comprehensive guidance on how to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Visit Project Porchlight to access free financial recovery counseling and personalized assistance for disaster survivors under a foundation-assisted grant program, offered by Money Management International (MMI), a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling agency.

Visit Hurricane Information and Resources for HUD Grantees, Partners, and Residents to find assistance with hurricane disaster response and relief efforts.

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

RACES means "radio amateur civil emergency service. "It is a radio service using amateur stations for civil defense communications during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. RACES are available to assist any agency to provide emergency communications support when requested. For additional information visit the RACES website.

What RACES Does

In times of disaster or emergency, communications support is provided to the City of Palm Desert by civic-minded volunteer amateur radio operators. These operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and affiliated with the Riverside County RACES organization. They are trained and specifically authorized to provide emergency communications between the City and other governmental agencies served by RACES operators.

How to Become a Member of RACES

All members of Palm Desert RACES are members of the Coachella Valley District of Riverside County RACES and are registered as volunteer Disaster Service Workers. Coachella Valley RACES maintains readiness through periodic training.

For an application and prerequisites please visit the Rivco Ready Volunteer Page.

RACES Training Opportunities

Training occurs at monthly meetings (usually the second Thursday evening of the month in Palm Springs) and during exercises. Exercises include participation in The Great California Shake Out each October and providing non-emergency radio communications in support of community events to help ensure the safety of participants and residents.

The Palm Desert RACES members meet periodically at the Palm Desert City Hall Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and they conduct monthly Disaster Net radio checks.