Fire marshal urges 72‑hour 'go bag' and multiple alert sign‑ups in preparedness briefing

Rohnert Park — Fire Marshal Aaron Hall asked residents at the Sept. 24 council meeting to prepare for common local hazards by assembling a 72‑hour "go bag," signing up for multiple alert channels and placing a completed "Vial of Life" on the refrigerator for medical responders.

Hall explained that go‑bag basics include one gallon of water per person per day for three days, nonperishable food rotated periodically, photocopies of important documents in a fire‑resistant container, extra prescription medication, flashlights and NOAA‑capable radios with spare batteries. He recommended keeping one set of supplies in a vehicle for rapid evacuation and urged seasonal checks of clothing and food items.

"72 hours of essentials, personalize your kit and keep them accessible," Hall told the council, and he encouraged residents to sign up for Nixle, Nextdoor and the city's social channels because no single alert system is perfect. A councilmember raised reports of Nixle delivery issues; staff and presenters advised residents to enroll in multiple alert services and to build neighborhood notification networks.

Hall distributed pamphlets with a go‑bag checklist and a page to record an emergency plan. He also described the Vial of Life program — a completed form posted on the refrigerator and a matching sticker on the front door that allows first responders to find critical medical information quickly.

The presentation included practical tips for children and pets and emphasized that in a major emergency outside agencies may take days to provide external assistance, so local preparedness matters.

Sources: Presentation by Fire Marshal Aaron Hall and department staff at the council meeting.