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The Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is a guidebook for phases of an all-hazards emergency management process within the Operational Area (County). The phases of emergency management include preparedness, response, and recovery, and mitigation. The EOP is intended to facilitate coordination between agencies and jurisdictions within Sonoma County while ensuring the protection of life, property, and the environment during disasters. This Plan provides the framework for a coordinated effort among local community, county, city, special district, private sectors, regional, state, tribal, and federal partners. The EOP also reflects the county efforts to ensure equity and reach members of traditionally underserved communities.

What are annexes?

Annexes provide additional information in support of the EOP. The EOP is the all-hazard plan. The annexes give additional information relevant to a specific threat or response action, when needed. Some examples are Evacuation Plan, Community Alert & Warning, Russian River Flood Plan, and Extreme Heat Events Plan. They are supporting documents, and changes to the EOP will be reflected in future annexes and updates.

A community’s outcome in a disaster can be greatly improved through preparedness for all hazards. For more information on preparedness go to SoCoEmergency.org/get-ready

  • Extreme Temperature Response - June 2023 »
    This Annex outlines procedures that guide a collaborative response by local governments, special districts, and allied agencies in the Sonoma County Operational Area (Op Area) to extreme temperature incidents. This is a supporting annex to the Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). 
  • Terrorism / Active Shooter Incident - March 2023 »
    This annex to Sonoma County’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is intended to ensure an effective and coordinated response to a significant Terrorism or Active Shooter Incident (ASI). It provides for interagency coordination among County departments, cities, special districts, public safety agencies, community groups and allied stakeholders in accordance with the County EOP, the California Emergency Services Act, the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 
  • Russian River Flood Plan - Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex – March 2023 »
    This plan establishes general procedures and organizational structures for emergency response to flood conditions on the Russian River and its tributaries. 
  • Earthquake - December 2022 » 
    The Earthquake Annex outlines the policies, procedures, and staff roles specific to the response to an earthquake either directly in or affecting the Sonoma County Operational Area. It focuses on the first response phases and the transition into short-term recovery. Response guidance is broken down into priorities for the first 4 hours, first 24 hours, first 72 hours, and sustained operations.
  • Tsunami Response Plan - August 2022 » 
    This Tsunami Response Plan is one of several hazard-specific response plans that serve as an Annex to the Operational Area (OA) Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The main purpose of this Annex is to provide an overview of a tsunami threat and the existing plans, procedures and response protocols within the OA that would be implemented in the event of a tsunami hazard impacting Sonoma County, specifically along the Sonoma Coast.
  • Mass Care & Shelter Plan - April 2022 »
    This Annex describes the policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities of providing mass care and shelter to the whole community in an emergency. This includes people with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, people who speak languages other than English, evacuees, and those who rely on in-place shelter in lieu of evacuation. Mass care and shelter is provided equitably to all residents and visitors of Sonoma County, regardless of immigration status.
  • Sonoma County Emergency Operations Plan - March 2022 »
    The Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is a guidebook for the Sonoma County Operational Area (OA) to utilize during phases of an all-hazards emergency management process which include preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
  • Sonoma County Evacuation Shelter Field Guide - August 2021 »
    This Handbook is a supporting document to the County of Sonoma Emergency Management Emergency Operations Plan and the Care & Shelter Annex to that Plan. The Handbook was developed in partnership with the American Red Cross and the Sonoma County Shelter Council members, including the cities and towns within Sonoma County and other community partners. It is based upon FEMA, CDC, and Sonoma County policies.
  • Pandemic Concurrent Hazards – Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex – August 2021 »
    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose significant threats to life safety, medical/healthcare systems, social infrastructure, and economic activity, and is expected to continue in some capacity through at least the end of 2021.  Additionally, even as vaccines are made available and the number of those fully vaccinated increases, the prevention measures needed to protect individuals from infection including social distancing, are expected to be needed well into 2022.  The direct impacts of the virus and its indirect effects on public safety, emergency management, communications and social infrastructure will affect and compound the response to existing hazards including wildfire, power shutoffs and winter storms/flooding.
  • Extreme Heat Events - Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex – August 2021 »
    This Annex outlines procedures that guide a collaborative response by local governments, special districts, and allied agencies in the Sonoma County Operational Area (Op Area) to extreme high temperature or heat events.
  • Evacuation Plan - Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex - August 2021 »
    This Annex outlines the strategies, procedures, and organizational structures to be used in managing coordinated, large-scale evacuations in the Sonoma County Operational Area (OA). This document incorporates national best practices and lessons learned locally. The document was developed using the whole-community approach to emergency planning. This is a supporting annex to the Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
  • Animals in Disaster - Sonoma County Operational Area EOP Annex - July 2021 »
    Sonoma County is home to a wide array of disaster possibilities such as earthquakes, fires and floods. It has become widespread knowledge from past disasters that often people will not evacuate their homes unless they can bring their pets and livestock with them. For many people, pets are considered a member of the family. No one wants to leave animals behind, and when asked to do so, many owners will risk their own lives and the lives of others to save their animals.
  • Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Incidents - Sonoma County Operational Area EOP Annex - July 2021 »
    This Annex outlines procedures that guide a collaborative response in the Sonoma County Operational Area (Op Area) to the threat or actual de-energization of electrical systems due to extreme fire danger conditions – otherwise known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). This is a supporting annex to the Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
  • Community Alert & Warning - Sonoma County Operational Area EOP Annex - March 2021 »
    This Annex establishes general and specific policies, procedures, and protocols for the use of Alert and Warning systems in the Sonoma County Operational Area (Op Area) during actual or potential emergencies that pose a significant threat to life or property. This plan serves as a functional annex to the Sonoma County/Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
  • Wildfire Burn Scar Debris Flow Response - Sonoma Operational Area Contingency Plan - November 2020 »
    This document establishes a uniform plan for a joint response by local governments, special districts, and allied agencies in the Sonoma County Operational Area to the threat of or actual soil movement in areas burned in recent wildfires. This is a supporting plan to the Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
  • Russian River Flood Plan - Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex – January 2020 » (Please see updated Annex March 2023)
    This plan establishes general procedures and organizational structures for emergency response to flood conditions on the Russian River and its tributaries. 
  • Pandemic Response - Sonoma County Operational Area EOP Annex - March 2020 »
    This Annex outlines concepts, policies and procedures that will guide a collaborative response by local governments, special districts, and allied agencies in the Sonoma County Operational Area (Op Area) to the threat of, or actual outbreak of pandemic disease affecting the Sonoma County Operational Area (OA).
  • Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plan »
    Mitigation Strategy Adopted by Sonoma County Board of Supervisors April, 2017 (PDF)
  • Damage Assessment - Sonoma County Operation Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex – February 2017 »
    The information gathered in this plan is For Official Use Only (FOUO) and should be handled as sensitive information not to be disclosed. This document should be safeguarded, handled, transmitted, and stored in accordance with appropriate security directives. Reproduction of this document, in whole or in part, without prior approval from Sonoma County Fire & Emergency Services Department is prohibited.
  • Coastal Incident Response Plan - Sonoma County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex - January 2015 »
    Sonoma County has a beautiful and diverse coastal boundary, ranging from sheer cliffs to sandy beaches.  Residents and tourists are attracted to the coast for a variety of reasons, including; escaping the inland heat, enjoying the majestic vistas, exploring the many beaches, sampling the famous seafood, hiking, and abalone diving.  Coastal weather, ocean and surf conditions can change quickly.  These conditions along with the physical environment combine to create hazards for people whom if unprepared, unfamiliar or inattentive may require an effective and efficient, well-coordinated emergency response.  This multi-agency plan has been created to deliver the best level of service.
  • Sonoma County - Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan December 2014 »The Sonoma County/Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with large-scale disasters affecting the Sonoma County Operational Area. The Sonoma County Operational Area (Sonoma County Op Area) consists of the cities, special districts and the unincorporated areas of the County. This plan is not intended to address the normal day-to-day emergency or well-established emergency procedures.
  • Local Oil Spill Contingency Plan-Sonoma County Operation Area Emergency Operations Plan Annex-February 2011 »
    The contents of this Local Oil Spill Contingency Plan (LOSCP) follows both the U.S. Coast Guard/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) and San Francisco Bay and Delta Area Contingency Plan (ACP) as to format and relevant content.