Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by eliminating hazards or reducing their impact. Mitigation planning that identifies risks, vulnerabilities, and is long term is key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

Mitigation Planning Resources and Downloads

• Local Hazard Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (PDF)
• Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (PDF)
• Foothills Fire Management Plan - 2009 (PDF)
• Foothills Fire Management Plan - 2016 (PDF)
• Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (PDF)
• City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan 2030 (PDF)

Training, education, and partnerships are some ways to mitigate and lessen the impact of a disaster.

Preparedness is an all-encompassing effort that uses the five mission areas to implement a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action. This is accomplished through a wide ranging array of activities inclusive of Palo Alto’s “whole community”. The Safety Element, Chapter 5, of the City of Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan articulates the policies and programs that align with our preparedness efforts. 

Preparedness Planning Resources and Downloads

• Emergency Preparedness - Start Here.
• Get involved and be an Emergency Services Volunteer. 

Five Mission Areas: Prevent, Protect, Mitigate, Respond, Recover.

Response coordinates disaster response capability among all levels of government needed to save and sustain lives, minimize suffering, and protect property.

Response Planning Resources and Downloads

• City of Palo Alto Emergency Operations Plan (PDF)
•  Winter Storm and Flood Plan (PDF)
•  Earthquake Response Plan (PDF)
•  San Francisquito Creek Multi Agency Coordination Plan (PDF)

Response planning saves lives, protects property, and helps to meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident.

The Recovery Phase includes short- and long-term activities focused on returning the community to pre-incident conditions. In some instances, when a state or federal disaster declaration has been made, recovery includes the critical task of identifying, documenting, and quantifying response and recovery costs eligible for reimbursement.

We are in the process of preparing a recovery framework to provide Palo Alto with approaches to prepare for and manage disaster recovery, particularly those incidents that are large or catastrophic.

Recovery supports individuals and communities affected by disasters in their efforts to recover.