Ventura, Calif. — With a firm commitment to saving lives, the City of Ventura is spearheading efforts to ensure residents are well-informed about local evacuation procedures. Recognizing the complexity of the various hazards that could prompt evacuations in Ventura, the City has meticulously divided Ventura into 15 evacuation zones, considering factors such as hazard vulnerability areas, population density, and major thoroughfares.

 To educate residents on the new evacuation plan, evacuation zones, shelter locations, and transportation assembly points, community members and business owners are invited to join Emergency Services Manager Mack Douglass for a community workshop on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Ventura Police Department, located at 1425 Dowell Drive in Ventura. 

 The workshop will cover information about the 15 designated evacuation zones, potential shelter locations and transportation assembly points.

 “With Ventura’s unique geography, location, and limited ingress and egress routes, it is crucial for residents to be aware of their designated evacuation zones in case of an emergency,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “By empowering residents with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively, we can streamline evacuation processes and save lives.”

 The workshop is just one part of the outreach efforts. Additional presentations will be made at neighborhood community councils, ensuring accessibility to all residents. These presentations will cover essential details and provide opportunities for questions and feedback. 

 Residents are invited to attend the following meetings:

·    Westside Community Council: Wednesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Bell Arts Factory

·    East Ventura Community Council: Thursday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom

·    Downtown Ventura Partners: Thursday, June 27, at 9:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza

 The Evacuation Plan was developed based on feedback from over 900 residents who completed the Emergency Preparedness Community Survey in 2023. Survey responses provided diverse insights on all-hazards evacuation preparedness, including familiarity with current evacuation routes, emergency shelters, transportation options, preferred communication methods, and overall readiness.

 The completed Emergency Evacuation Plan is inclusive of diverse populations, recognizing the needs of individuals with visual or hearing impairments, chronic medical conditions, language barriers, disabilities, access, and functional needs.

 For more information, please visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/EvacuationPlan.