In the event of a widespread disaster (such as an earthquake), the emergency services are likely to be overwhelmed.  Our fire department - Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD) - has a neighborhood self-help program called  WPV Ready and WPV-CERT

WPV-Ready is Our Local Emergency Preparedness Organization.

WPV-Ready operates in the Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD), providing Emergency Preparedness information, education and resources. We cover the towns of Woodside and Portola Valley, and un-incorporated areas of San Mateo County including Emerald Hills, Ladera, Los Trancos, Skyline, and Vista Verde. Our goal is to reach every individual and neighborhood in the district, and help them become prepared for emergencies like wildland fires and earthquakes. Learn more at https://wpv-ready.org/

WPV-CERT

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. And WPV-CERT is the CERT organization within the Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD). If you are looking for a way to be helpful in the response to an emergency situation, the CERT program is the place to get involved. In the CERT Basic Training class, you will learn useful skills that could save your neighbors' lives and property. And you will learn how to work together with other trained CERTs to mount the strongest possible response to all of the chaos that happens when a disaster turns a normal day into a nightmare. No prior skills or training are required. Learn more at https://wpv-cert.org/

The WFPD has been divided into 25 divisions, nine of which are in Portola Valley.  Several of the divisions are further subdivided into areas. Links to the divisions and volunteer leaders are listed below. These locations have communication radios, first aid kits, and trained volunteers to help neighbors in an emergency.

• Alpine Hills
• Blue Oaks
• Brookside
• Ladera
• Los Trancos
• PV Ranch
• Sequoias
• Vista Verde
•  Westridge
• Woodside Highlands

Report to your area or division leader if the following emergency circumstances apply:

• Your phones do not work, or
• You cannot get through to 911, or
• 911 says they have no help to send.

The division and area leaders will have radio contact with the Town's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at the Town Center, which will, in turn, will have radio contact with the County and State.