Redwood City — What would you do in a wildfire, earthquake or flood? Or in the middle of the night, if your phone pings with an emergency alert?
If you’re not sure (and be honest!) San Mateo County wants to help you get ready with a free, family-friendly event designed for anyone who wants to feel more confident when disaster strikes.
The County’s 21st Annual Disaster Preparedness Day takes place Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Mateo County Event Center. This free, family-friendly event offers hands-on training, CPR and emergency skills workshops, displays by local emergency responders and activities for kids.
“Just look around the nation: catastrophic flooding in the Midwest and South, heatwaves in the North, fires burning in the West. A disaster can strike at any time, anywhere, and now is the time to get prepared by building your knowledge, learning key skills and developing a plan,” said David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
“You can do all of that at Disaster Preparedness Day.”
And while the event is free and open to everyone, organizers are especially focused on reaching communities that are often hit hardest in disasters but have the least access to information and support.
Participants learn practical skills like using a fire extinguisher at Disaster Preparedness Day.
The theme of this year’s event: Be more confident to face any emergency.
“We know that in a disaster, the most vulnerable communities often face the greatest risks, especially those who speak limited English or have less access to emergency resources,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who serves on the event's planning committee. “That’s why this day is about more than training. It’s about making sure everyone, regardless of background or language, has the tools and confidence to stay safe.”
Attendees can speak with experts who can help them program their mobile phones to receive alerts in their preferred language, a simple step that can make a life-saving difference.
That’s especially important in San Mateo County, where nearly 45 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home and more than a third are foreign-born. While alerts are available in multiple languages, residents must actively enroll and set their language preferences.
Explore the full schedule and get the latest updates on the Department of Emergency Management's event page. New classes and activities are added regularly.
To reflect the county’s diversity, this year’s event includes classes in Spanish and Mandarin, offering practical steps anyone can take to prepare for emergencies and stay informed.
The event isn’t all drills and disaster kits: kids can meet search-and-rescue horses, attend storytime with a firefighter and climb aboard fire engines and other vehicles. There’s also a Kids’ Korner with activities to make preparedness fun.
“Preparedness isn’t panic. It’s peace of mind.” said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management.
“Whether it’s knowing how to perform CPR, program emergency alerts in your language, or reunite with your family after an evacuation, we want people to leave this event feeling more confident, more capable, and more connected. That’s what true preparedness looks like.”
At this year’s event, attendees can:
- Build or update your family emergency plan
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Learn how to pack a Go Bag
- Take free hands-only CPR classes and preparedness workshops
- Pick up free emergency supplies and learn how to use them
- Enjoy Storytime with a Firefighter in English, Spanish or Mandarin
Dozens of public agencies, nonprofits and vendors will be on hand, including Cal Fire and local fire departments, the American Red Cross, PG&E, the Center for Independence for Individuals with Disabilities and many more.
There is no cost to attend. Parking is free, admission is free, and there will even be free hot dogs. No registration is required.
What you need to know:
Disaster Preparedness Day 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Mateo County Event Center
1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo
Free admission and free parking
To learn more or plan your visit, go to the event's web page.
Cari E. Guittard
Department of Emergency Management
(650) 363-4790
(415) 608-0806
cguittard@smcgov.org