Personnel from Cal Fire’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit and other first responders will be in charge of a voluntary evacuation drill in part of El Granada next month. The drill goes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and involves only a section of El Granada known as Zone SMC-E092. This includes houses north of Columbus Street and up into El Granada Boulevard. 

Here’s how the drill will work: At 9 a.m. on May 11, a notification will be sent to residents who have downloaded or signed up with Genasys Protect and SMC Alert in the specific El Granada zone. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office vehicles will then drive through the neighborhood broadcasting a “HI LO” siren, also known as the evacuation siren. When you hear the siren or get the notification, it’s time to go to the evacuation point, which in this instance is El Granada Elementary School. Once on campus, participants can talk with local firefighters, law enforcement, fire safety experts, and CERT members. Fire safety handouts will also be distributed.

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