The recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake that woke up residents in Napa County on Sunday, Aug. 24, reminds Los Angeles County residents and businesses that we all live in earthquake country, and need to take the steps to be prepared for the next disaster.
For the fifth straight year, the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Animal Care and Control, Community and Senior Services, Fire, Sheriff, and members of the Senior Emergency Preparedness Action Committee will be participating in disaster preparedness events held throughout Los Angeles County in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency “September Is National Preparedness Month.”
The theme this year, “Be Disaster Aware…Take Action to Prepare,” encourages residents to turn awareness into actions. All residents and communities nationwide need to create disaster plans and supply kits for themselves, loved ones, friends, and co-workers.
Los Angeles County residents and businesses, including persons with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may call 211 L.A. County for emergency preparedness information, and other referral services. The toll-free number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 L.A. County services can also be accessed at http://211la.org. To register for the Specific Needs Awareness Planning program, go to https://snap.lacounty.gov. For disaster/emergency preparedness information, access http://lacoa.org and/or http://espfocus.org.
2014 National Preparedness Month
Los Angeles County Operational Area Events and Activities
(Events open to the public and media as of 9-10-14)
• Thursday, Sept. 11 (1-3 p.m.): Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services and Office of Emergency Management Disaster Preparedness Workshop at Potrero Heights Community and Senior Center (8051 Arroyo Drive, Montebello, CA 90640).
• Thursday, Sept. 11 (10-11:30 a.m.): City of La Mirada and American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Workshop at City of La Mirada Activity Center for Seniors (13810 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638). To register, call (562) 943-7277 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.
• Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 (12-2 p.m.): Disaster Preparedness Fair at Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles (7901 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044).
• Sept. 15-19: Mt. San Antonio College Emergency Preparedness Week in Walnut (1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut, CA 91789).
• Wednesday, Sept. 17 (6:30-8:30 p.m.): City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department “5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness” West Side training workshop at Cheviot Hill Recreation Center (2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064). To register, visit www.5Steps.LA, call (424) 247-1214 or TTY (213) 978-0463.
• Thursday, Sept. 18 (all day): KNX 1070 AM special “Ready or Not: Why You Are Not Ready for Disaster.”
• Thursday, Sept. 18 (6:30-8:30 p.m.): City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department “5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness” Central Los Angeles training workshop at Alpine Recreation Center (817 Yale St., Los Angeles, CA 90012). To register, visit www.5Steps.LA, call (424) 247-1214 or TTY (213) 978-0463.
• Saturday, Sept. 20 (11 a.m.-12 noon): American Red Cross Prepare SoCal Disaster Preparedness Workshop at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood (333 W. Florence Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301).
• Tuesday, Sept. 23 (1-3 p.m.): Los Angeles County Community & Senior Services and Office of Emergency Management Disaster Preparedness workshop at San Pedro Service Center (769 W. Third Street, San Pedro, CA 90731).
• Wednesday, Sept. 24 (1-3 p.m.): Los Angeles County Community & Senior Services and Office of Emergency Management Disaster Preparedness workshop at Altadena Senior Center (560 E. Mariposa St., Altadena, CA 91001).
• Wednesday, Sept. 24 (6:30-8:30 p.m.): City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department “5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness” Valley training workshop at Sunland Tujunga Municipal Building (7747 Foothill Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91042). To register, visit www.5Steps.LA, call (424) 247-1214 or TTY (213) 978-0463.
• Thursday, Oct. 16 (10:16 a.m.): The Great California ShakeOut Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill, the largest earthquake preparedness exercise in the world, to be held countywide. To register, visit www.shakeout.org.
Note: Schedule may be subject to change.