Only call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a medical emergency (e.g., severe bleeding, chest pain, etc.), or to report a downed power line or tree which could create a public hazard.
Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency calls, including questions about medical devices, community resource center and charging center locations, and referrals to other social services.
All questions regarding power outages should be directed to PG&E via their website and 1-800-743-5000. Residents and businesses can access updated outage information from PG&E online at https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety.html.
For non-emergency information and referrals to resources, visit https://www.marinhhs.org/community-resource-guide or call (415) 473-INFO (4636) between 8:30 am. and 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
AlertMarin
Sign up to receive emergency alerts. Marin's emergency officials use the AlertMarin Emergency Notification System to provide you with critical information and potentially life-saving instruction. Learn more: https://emergency.marincounty.gov/pages/alertmarin
Sistema de Alerta de Emergencias - Alert Marin
Registrarse para el servicio de notificación de emergencias de Alerta Marín. Este sistema se utiliza para alertar al publico de posibles situaciones de emergencia como tomar refugio en lugar por si hay un derrame de materiales peligrosos o una evacuación por un incendio forestal. https://marin.sircom.org/account?lang=es-MX
Power Outage Preparedness Information
Marin Health and Human Services works closely with Marin Fire, Marin Sheriff, local jurisdictions, and community partners to prepare our most vulnerable residents for prolonged power outages. Marin County residents need to prepare for planned and unplanned power outages during wildfire season and winter storms.
Visit readymarin.org for resources to prepare yourself, your family & friends, and your neighborhood for prolonged power outages.
- Review FEMA's Preparing Makes Sense For People With Disabilities, Others with Access and Functional Needs and the Whole Community.
- Ready.gov has also developed preparedness resources specific for individuals with access and functional needs.
- PG&E has also updated their Outage Preparedness and Support page.
Preparing for Extended Power Outages in Marin County
What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)?
Most Marin County residents live in elevated (Tier 2) or extreme (Tier 3) fire threat areas. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is expanding its Community Wildfire Safety Program. This includes turning off electric power for safety (Public Safety Power Shutoff) when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted. Learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs at prepareforpowerdown.com.
When will PG&E shut off power? For how long?
PG&E may shutoff power if extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted to help reduce the likelihood of an ignition. These include, but are not limited to:
- A Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service
- Low humidity levels, generally below 20 percent
- Forecasted sustained winds generally above 25 mph
Marin County residents need to prepare for up to a week and possibly longer without electricity.
If PG&E issues a power shutoff warning, residents and business owners can review PG&E’s Fire Threat, PSPS Event Maps and Service Impact Map webpages to see if a property is in an area where power may be shutoff. If a power shutoff does occur, residents can access updated information from PG&E on the PSPS Updates webpage.
What should I do to prepare?
Ask yourself these 4 questions:
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? When possible, PG&E will notify customers of a possible Power Shutoff. Register for PG&E’s Wildfire Safety Shutoff Alerts so PG&E can contact you when the power needs to be shut off for safety. Also, register for emergency alerts at both Alert Marin and Nixle to receive notifications about other emergencies that may effect your safety.
- What is my shelter plan? Collect items you’ll need to evacuate using Ready Marin’s Grab & Go Checklist and prepare to shelter-in-place for at least 5 days using Ready Marin’s Build a Kit Checklist.
- What is my evacuation route? If you need Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices, especially life support equipment (e.g., ventilators, apnea monitors, dialysis machines), you should consider staying with friends or family during a prolonged power outage.
- What is my family/household communication plan? Build a support team of people who will help you in an emergency if necessary. The real first responders in an emergency are often your neighbors, friends and co-workers. If you complete your Family Emergency Communication Plan online at ready.gov/make-a-plan, you can print it onto a wallet-sized card and share with your support team.
What if I need Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices?
- Update your contact information with PG&E at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or call 1-866-743-6589.
- Follow FEMA’s recommendations in its Power Outage Information Sheet
- Review and update the American with Disabilities Act’s Emergency Power Planning Checklist every 6 months
- Review Marin County Community Development Agency's BACK-UP POWER FACT SHEET and consider solar plus battery storage or solar generators
Emergency Planning Resources (Links to printable PDFs)
General Preparedness Plans
Red Cross Family Preparedness Plan
Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Important Medical Information
Medical Information Wallet Card - Rx
Ready Marin Checklists
Print-ready Marin HHS Extended Power Outage Information
Medical Condition Specific Preparedness Plans
Emergency Information: AFN Communication
How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages
Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices
Diabetes Disaster Response Plan
How to Prepare for an Emergency or Disaster When You Have Lung Disease
A Guide for People on Dialysis
Additional Resources
BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities (BCITS). Self-Help Guide • Back-up Power for Ventilators.
California Office of Emergency Services (OES). Office of Access & Functional Needs Library.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Power Outages.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare coverage in disasters and emergencies.
FEMA. https://www.ready.gov/disability
Page last reviewed: October 29, 2025
