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Contra Costa highlights preparedness as FEMA ranks county 14th in national risk index
Summary
At a Sept. 9 board meeting, the county's emergency‑services manager urged household preparedness, said Contra Costa ranks 14th in FEMA's National Risk Index and cited local readiness programs including Red Cross responses, Medical Reserve Corps and CERT volunteers.
Contra Costa County officials used the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 9 to urge residents to prepare for disasters and to spotlight county programs that support response and recovery.
Rick Kovar, the county's Office of Emergency Services manager, told the board that FEMA’s National Risk Index ranks Contra Costa County among the nation’s higher‑risk counties (he reported it as 14th nationally) because of combined hazard exposure and vulnerability. He said the county faces multiple risks—including wildfire, earthquake and flood—and noted the Hayward and Concord/Green Valley fault systems cross populated areas.
Kovar highlighted community preparedness measures and partner programs: the American Red Cross responded to 112 events in the county this year and assisted 556 residents, the county’s health emergency response unit manages the Medical Reserve Corps and county and city partners have trained more than 2,000 CERT volunteers since the early 2000s. He encouraged residents to enroll in the Community Warning System at CWSalerts.com and to consult Ready Contra Costa for preparedness checklists.
Supervisors asked for clarification about the FEMA ranking and were told the National Risk Index assesses multiple hazards and recovery capacity; Kovar said the ranking is a reminder to both government and residents to increase readiness. The board made no regulatory changes at the meeting; members urged households to assemble evacuation plans and go bags and praised city and nonprofit partners for community outreach.
