Emergency preparedness should not live in an old folder nobody opens.
California mobilehome and RV parks need a practical way to organize emergency contacts, utility information, resident communication, interruption logs, incident records, and plan review dates.
HCD states that park management must develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan to inform residents what to do before and during an emergency, and that the EPP is required in order to receive a permit to operate.
What to Keep in the Emergency Section
Your emergency preparedness section should include:
- Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Emergency contact list
- Responsible person contact
- Fire/police/sheriff contact information
- Utility provider contacts
- Utility shutoff notes
- Resident communication plan
- Emergency Information Bulletin reference
- Evacuation/access notes
- Incident report forms
- Utility interruption log
- Last-reviewed date
- Owner/operator review notes
This should be part of the Mobilehome Park Operations Binder.
Emergency Contact List
Track:
- Fire department
- Police or sheriff
- Emergency medical services
- Local enforcement agency
- HCD contact reference
- Utility providers
- Owner/operator
- Park manager
- Backup responsible person
- Key vendors
- After-hours maintenance contact
Do not assume someone else has the number.
Utility Interruption Log
Utility interruptions can become resident communication problems fast.
Track:
- Date/time
- Utility involved
- Area affected
- Reported by
- Provider contacted
- ETA/status
- Resident updates
- Closed date/time
- Notes / follow-up
This connects to Mobilehome Park Maintenance Records and resident communication logs.
Incident Reports
Use incident reports for unusual or serious events.
Track:
- Date/time
- Location
- People involved
- What was reported or observed
- Photos or documents
- Emergency services contacted
- Owner/operator notified
- Resident updates
- Follow-up required
- Status
Do not speculate. Record facts and route the issue.
Resident Communication During Emergencies
A communication plan should explain:
- Who sends updates
- How updates are sent
- Where notices are posted
- How vulnerable or hard-to-reach residents are considered
- What information should not be promised
- Who approves official statements
Communication should be calm and specific.
EPP Review Habit
Set a review rhythm:
- Review emergency contacts regularly
- Update utility contacts when providers change
- Confirm responsible person information
- Check posted emergency information
- Review plan location in the binder
- Record last-reviewed date
- Keep official source links current
Emergency preparedness is not finished just because a document exists.
Common Mistakes
Avoid:
- Not knowing where the EPP is stored
- Old phone numbers
- No utility interruption log
- No resident update record
- No incident report form
- No backup contact
- No last-reviewed date
- Treating emergency planning as inspection-only paperwork
Related Guides
- California Mobilehome Park Inspection Checklist
- Mobilehome Park Operations Binder
- California RV Park Manager Responsibilities
Bottom Line
Emergency preparedness is an operating system, not just a document.
Keep the plan findable, the contacts current, the interruption log usable, and the resident communication process clear.
Start with the Free Park Operations Binder Checklist or use the full CAParkManager Compliance Preparation System.
Official Sources to Check
Requirements can change. Always verify current training, inspection, permit, and enforcement details with HCD, your local enforcement agency, approved providers, and qualified professionals.
Next Step
Build a Cleaner Park Operations Binder
Start with the free checklist, then move into the full CAParkManager Compliance Preparation System when you are ready for forms, trackers, sample documents, and practical tools.
