The City of Martinez is taking proactive steps to enhance community safety by holding its first-ever wildfire evacuation drill. This is the first event of its kind by the City, and the only emergency response simulation currently scheduled this year in Contra Costa County.

As part of the Evacuation Drill, the City will be hosting an Education Expo with information about evacuation plans, emergency preparedness, and other safety topics.

This page will be updated as more details about the Evacuation Drill are released. Please check back regularly for updates!

Why is this Drill important?

This Drill is a great opportunity for residents to learn and practice safe evacuation methods that would be used during a wildfire. With the hilly terrain of Martinez, practicing safe evacuation and response by emergency personnel is a key way we can be prepared as a City and community. Additionally, the exercise allows Martinez’s first responders to gain practical insights into evacuation challenges and practice multi-agency coordination during an emergency scenario.

What to Expect During the Drill

The Drill will start at 9:00am. An alert will be sent out via Martinez Alerts announcing the start of the Drill. Emergency personnel will start going door-to-door on the highlighted streets to begin the Drill evacuation. There will be both emergency personnel and vehicles throughout the participating neighborhood, and crossing guards on the evacuation route at major crossings. 

Residents should expect to see emergency vehicles, signage, and slight traffic delays on Alhambra Ave and Berrellesa Street in the City Hall area. 

There may be other mock messaging sent out via Martinez Alerts and over media channels. These will be clearly marked as part of the Drill and not actual emergency alerts.

At Ignacio Plaza from 9:00am to 11:00am, there will be an Education Expo with multiple participating agencies. All City residents are encouraged to attend and benefit from the Education Expo and learn more about safe evacuation and emergency preparedness.

Where is the Drill going to be?

The Drill will focus on the "MAR-E001" Neighborhood, on the west side of the downtown area. This area was chosen for multiple reasons, including the neighborhood's risk for wildfire, the hilly terrain, and the ability to limit the number of residents affected and while still having an effective drill.

We want your participation!

Resident participation is an important ingredient to the success of the Drill! All resident participation is voluntary, including in the Drill neighborhood and evacuating streets. There are multiple ways we encourage residents to participate in the day's events. 

If you live in the Drill neighborhood:

You can join in the Evacuation Drill by practicing self-evacuation. At 9:00am, evacuate on foot by either following the evacuation route if you live close to it, or safely choosing your route to Ignacio Plaza. Please use Susana Street to cross Berrellesa Street and Alhambra Avenue to reach the rally point at Ignacio Plaza. There will be emergency personnel directing traffic at the Susana Street crossings to ensure safe participation!

If you live on the highlighted Drill streets (Carquinez Way and section of Green Street):

Starting at 9:00am, emergency personnel will do a door-to-door evacuation. Please be ready at 9:00am to leave your house on foot and use the evacuation route to the rally point at Ignacio Plaza. Please check in at the Rally Point so we can confirm the residence was safely evacuated as part of the Drill. 

Please see the Affected Streets handout for more details!

If you live in another Martinez neighborhood:

The Education Expo at Ignacio Plaza will feature information, freebies, and demonstrations from various safety partners, including the City CERT, American Red Cross, ConFire, and others. The event is also being supported by other community partners, such as Dutch Bros. We encourage all residents to come and join us from 9:00am to 11:00am at Ignacio Plaza to learn more about wildfire evacuation and general emergency preparedness.

All residents participating in the Drill are encouraged to sign up for Martinez Alerts for day-of messaging alerts and instructions. 

If you aren't planning on participating in the Drill

Please avoid Alhambra Ave and Berrellesa Street between Green Street and Susana Street that morning if possible. You can expect slight traffic delays between Downtown and City Hall on these streets as emergency personnel direct traffic for the safety of the participating residents.

Not only will the Martinez Alerts system be used during the Drill, it’s also a great safety tool to have in your pocket year round!

The Martinez Alerts e-notification system quickly provides residents with critical information regarding utility disruptions, health alerts, severe weather, unexpected road closures, police activity, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.

Receive time-sensitive messages via text, email, or voice by signing up at http://martinezalerts.com/.

Thank you

The City of Martinez and the Martinez Police Department would like to thank all of our partnering organizations for their contributions and efforts towards making this a successful Drill:

• Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire)
• Martinez Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
• The American Red Cross
• Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
• Genasys
• Contra Costa County Animal Services
• Dutch Bros. Coffee

Handouts and Flyers