Public Health Emergencies

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Northern California

Central California

Southern California


Northern California

Emergency Alerts & Real-Time Info

  • California Health Alert Network (CAHAN): statewide health alerts from California department of public health.
  • California Department of Public Health Policy Alerts: CDPH Policy Alerts include the latest guidance and policy updates from CDPH. Fill out the CDPH Policy Alert Registration​ form to sign up and receive these updates.
  • Listos California: Offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians to their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location.
  • 2-1-1/Bay Area Helpline: Call 2‑1‑1 or Bay Area Helpline at 1‑800‑273‑6222 for real-time location updates and referrals.

Evacuation & Shelter

  • Alameda County Mass Care & Shelter: Designated to provide temporary shelter, food, and childcare for individuals and families affected by emergencies.
  • Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless (ACHCH): Provides on-site medical services at winter/warming shelters.
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society (Oakland): 75-bed emergency shelter.
  • Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (Hayward): 23-bed family shelter.
  • Bridget House (Berkeley): Women & single‑mother families shelter.

Animal Boarding

  • CA Animal Response Emergency Support: Provides operational guidance to assist with all aspects of animal care in the event of a disaster or emergency with the assistance of agencies and volunteer organizations.
  • RedRovers Responders: Provides emergency sheltering, training, and consultations for animals displaced by natural disasters and other crises   .
  • North Valley Animal Disasters Group: NVADG volunteers, in partnership with emergency services, team up to evacuate, rescue and/or shelter-in-place animals at risk.

Air Quality & Health

  •  AirNow.gov: Live AQI for all regions.
  •  Spare the Air/Bay Area Air Quality Management District: Bay Area - specific alerts.
  • California Air Resources Board: Performs air monitoring for any emergency involving the release of a hazardous airborne contaminant once a local agency has exhausted its resources to protect public health or the environment .

Recovery/ Financial Assistance

  • CalWORKS: Welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible California families in need.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Program that provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment has been lost or interrupted due to a major disaster.

Free Items/Distribution

  • 211 Alameda County: Connects to emergency distribution of PPE, blankets, food, hygiene supplies, and more.
  • Alameda County Community Food Bank: Emergency food distribution (300k+ meals weekly.)

Local Contacts

  • Alameda County OES/Social Services: Call 2‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑273‑6222 to find warming centers & shelters.
  • Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless: Medical aid, vaccines, TB testing at shelters.

Central California

Emergency Alerts & Real-Time Info

  • Fresno County Department of Public Health: Public health emergency updates (COVID‑19, flu, disease outbreaks.)
  • Fresno County Communicable Disease Division: Program for outbreak monitoring and control.
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Public safety system that allows authorized government authorities to send emergency messages to mobile devices.

Evacuation & Shelter

  • Fresno County Public Health-Emergency Services: Works with shelters to provide health monitoring and testing during events.
  • Community Health Division: Clinics serving farmworkers, seniors, youth.
  • Fresno Housing Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV): Support for those at risk of homelessness during crises.

Animal Boarding

  • Central California SPCA: Provides temporary shelter and care for pets during emergencies.
  • Valley Animal Center: Offers shelter and boarding assistance for pets during evacuation orders.
  • Kern County Animal Services: Provides emergency pet shelter during wildfires and evacuations.

Air Quality & Health

  • San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD): Provides real-time air quality information, smoke advisories, and health alerts specific to Central California’s San Joaquin Valley.
  • AirNow: Real-time air quality data for all U.S. regions, including Central California. Provides health-based recommendations for sensitive groups during poor air quality days.
  • EPA EnviroFlash: Email alerts on local air quality. Sign up: EnviroFlash - Sign-Up

Recovery/ Financial Assistance

  • California Disaster Assistance: Provides state-level disaster assistance grants and loans for individuals and households affected by declared disasters.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Offers disaster assistance such as grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.
  • CalHOPE: Delivers crisis support for communities impacted by a national disaster.

Free Items/Distribution

  • Fresno Public Health: Mobile clinics and PPE distribution.
  • CalFresh: Provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income and provides economic benefits to communities.
  • Salvation Army & Catholic Charities: Provide hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, and clothing during emergencies.

Local Contacts

  • Central California Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs): Coordinate emergency response and public information.
  • County Public Health Departments: Provide health information, testing, vaccination, and emergency health services.
  • Social Services & 2-1-1 Helpline: For information on shelters, food, financial aid, and health services. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org

Southern California

Emergency Alerts & Real-Time Info

  • Alert LA County: Provides emergency alerts via text, phone, and email for residents in LA County. Sign-Up: Register | Alert LA County
  • AlertOC: Offers real-time emergency notifications via phone, text, and email. Includes alerts for natural disasters and public health emergencies. Sign-up: AlertOC - Sign In
  • Alert San Diego: Covers wildfire smoke, floods, and other urgent events.

Evacuation & Shelter

  • American Red Cross Southern California: The Southern California Region exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Our generous donors, volunteers and employees are part of a nationwide network committed to preventing and relieving suffering here at home, across the country and around the world.
  • California Department of Social Services - Disaster Assistance: Manages temporary shelter programs during emergencies. Coordinates with local agencies for mass sheltering.
  • Westwood Recreation Center: Designated emergency shelter that has been activated during past public health and disaster emergencies. Provides shelter, food, clothing, and pet accommodations.

Animal Boarding

  • Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control: Provides emergency animal sheltering, pet evacuation assistance, and temporary boarding during disasters.
  • San Diego Humane Society: Runs emergency pet sheltering and foster programs during disasters. Provides pet food, supplies, and veterinary care assistance.
  • California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps: Volunteers who provide veterinary and animal emergency response during disasters.

Air Quality & Health

  • South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD): Provides real-time air quality maps, alerts, and health advice.
  • AirNow: National real-time air quality data, including Southern California. Offers personalized alerts and forecasts.
  • California Air Resources Board: Provides statewide air quality info, wildfire smoke updates, and health recommendations.

Recovery/ Financial Assistance

  • California Disaster Assistance: Provides assistance to individuals and families affected by disasters.
  • Housing Rights Center: Offers tenant counseling, legal assistance, and referrals for housing emergencies.
  • California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services: Coordinates mental health and crisis counseling resources post-disaster.

Free Items/Distribution

  • CalFresh: Provides monthly food benefits for eligible low-income individuals and families.
  • California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC): Helps people who do not have health insurance get the prescription drugs, vaccines, medical supplies, and equipment they need.
  • Food Oasis LA: A free food directory connecting people needing food to nearby food pantries and meals.

Local Contacts

  • 211 Southern California: Connects residents to local food, shelter, health care, mental health, pet services, and emergency relief programs during crises. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ca.org
  • Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center: (323) 409-1000
  • LA Animal Services: (888) 452-7381
  • OC Animal Care: (714) 935-6848
  • American Red Cross SoCal Region: 1-800-733-2767
  • Alert LA County: ready.lacounty.gov
  • Ready San Diego (SD County emergency alerts): readysandiego.org 
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