In the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee, your family can become more confident and prepared for a wildfire. As fall begins, the Piedmont Fire Department urges residents to set aside time to complete a simple, easy-to-follow at-home wildfire evacuation exercise with their household.

Following step-by-step instructions and discussion prompts provided in a short video, families, housemates, and neighbors can transform their wildfire “what ifs” into a tangible, actionable plan. In less than an hour, this exercise helps you spot gaps, talk through decisions, and walk away more confident about what to do if a wildfire comes.

What to expect:

• A realistic, local wildfire scenario based on conditions in Piedmont
• Simple, pause-and-discuss prompts for each stage of evacuation
• A downloadable worksheet to capture your household’s plan and next steps
• A calm, supportive narrator to walk you through the process
• Total time: 30-45 minutes

Watch the video and download the worksheet to fill out as you go.

Building a more prepared community

The at-home evacuation exercise is one part the Piedmont Fire Department’s broader work partnering with community members to build a safer, more resilient Piedmont. This summer, the Department conducted a practical evacuation drill for the Blair/Scenic/Alta neighborhood, giving them a hands-on opportunity to test their own evacuation plans. Firefighters also provide year-round public education, coordinate training with regional partners, and offer home visits to help residents understand steps they can take to harden their properties.

Last year, the Department also led development of Piedmont’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, engaging residents in a collaborative process to create a 5-year roadmap that identifies steps the City could take to reduce the impacts of disasters before they happen.

Each household that completes the at-home exercise adds another layer of readiness to these efforts – strengthening not just their own plans, but our community’s resilience as a whole.