Build a prepared neighborhood
Emergencies affect entire neighborhoods—not just individual households.
When neighbors know and support each other, they can communicate,
check in and help one another more effectively.
Start building resilience on your block today.
Get to know your neighbors
- Invite nearby households to exchange names and preferred contact information.
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Ask whether anyone would like help with check-ins, communication
or getting to a safe location during an emergency.
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Let neighbors describe the support they would find useful.
Avoid making assumptions about their needs or abilities.
- Discuss how you will check on each other after an emergency.
Participation and sharing are voluntary. Each household decides
what information to share and whether to join a contact list or group chat.
Make a simple check-in plan
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Choose a primary check-in method, such as a text tree or group chat,
and a backup if phones or internet service are unavailable.
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Use door-to-door check-ins only when conditions are safe.
Do not enter damaged buildings or delay an evacuation.
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Choose an outdoor meeting location and an alternate location.
During an emergency, use a location outside the affected area
and follow official directions.
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Invite a volunteer block coordinator and backup to help keep
the plan and contact list current.
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Keep an agreed-upon printed contact list in a secure, accessible place.
Use the printable neighbor check-in and contact worksheet(PDF, 260KB)
Utilice la hoja de contacto y apoyo entre vecinos para imprimir(PDF, 99KB)
Share skills and resources
Invite neighbors to share what they are comfortable offering.
Discuss:
- Who has first aid, CPR or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training?
- Who is willing to share tools, fire extinguishers or extra supplies?
- Who can help with agreed-upon accessibility or transportation needs?
- Who can help translate or communicate with neighbors?
Help within your training and abilities. A neighborhood plan
supports emergency responders; it does not replace them.
Call 911 to report an emergency.
Get training
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District offers community training
in disaster preparedness, CPR, first aid and CERT.
Explore available classes and registration information.
Find emergency preparedness and CERT training
Use verified information
Make sure neighbors know where to find official updates.
Share information from these sources and avoid spreading rumors.
Protect neighbors' personal information
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Collect only the information needed for the agreed-upon
check-in plan. Neighbors may leave any field blank.
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Ask permission before adding someone to a group chat,
distributing their contact details or recording assistance requests.
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Agree on who may access the list and how it will be used.
Do not post it publicly or share it outside the agreed group.
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Store paper copies securely and limit access to digital copies.
Avoid recording medical diagnoses, financial information,
passwords or other sensitive details.
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Allow neighbors to update or remove their information at any time.
Securely dispose of outdated copies.
Keep your plan current
- Host a brief neighborhood check-in at least once a year.
- Review evacuation routes, meeting locations and check-in methods.
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Confirm contact information and sharing preferences annually
and whenever households change.
- Share seasonal reminders about wildfire, flooding and power outages.
Print this page, or select this worksheet and use your browser's
“Print selection” option if available. Complete it together and
keep it with your emergency supplies.
Small actions build strong neighborhoods.
Prepared households matter. Connected neighbors help turn
individual preparation into community support.