What should you do if and when disaster strikes? Find out at the READY Long Beach Community Preparedness Expo on Oct. 12.
This educational event will be led by the Long Beach Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Team and the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications along with several other City of Long Beach departments, regional disaster response agencies and community partners.
“Emergencies can happen at any time, and READY Long Beach is a one-stop shop that helps ensure our community is better prepared for when they occur,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “This fun-filled, free event is an opportunity for our families and neighbors to come together and talk directly with experts, pick up resources and walk away with a plan they can put into action.”
READY Long Beach will be open to the public and feature emergency response vehicles, information booths, emergency preparedness demonstrations, a kids’ fun zone and emergency supplies available for purchase.
Through the expo, residents will learn the following:
- How to gather and store minimum supplies of food, water and other essential survival tools.
- How to take action to increase preparedness.
- How to build a family evacuation and response plan.
- How to engage neighbors in disaster planning.
- How to recognize and minimize hazards in the spaces where you live, learn, work and gather.
- Where to access training and volunteer opportunities.
“READY Long Beach empowers our community with the knowledge and resources to respond confidently in emergencies. The Long Beach Fire Department is committed to this effort with every resident in building a safer, more prepared Long Beach,” said Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan in a public statement.
This marks the eighth year of READY Long Beach, which was launched in 2014. Going forward, the event will occur every two years, after being held annually through 2023 following a three-year break during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long Beach recently formally recognized National Preparedness Month and announced the revival of the Ready Your Long Beach Neighborhood program. This citywide initiative aims to kickstart disaster planning at a neighborhood level by providing training and resources to neighborhood group representatives to then share with their communities.
Along with the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 16, READY Long Beach is one of various events in October intended to prepare residents for natural disasters and other emergencies. Additional information about upcoming disaster preparedness events will be announced at a later date.
“The READY Long Beach Expo is about empowering our residents to take practical, proactive steps toward preparedness,” said Reggie Harrison, Director of the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications, in a public statement. “By bringing together disaster preparedness experts from City departments, regional partners and community organizations, we’re making it easier for families to access tools, resources and information that can save lives and mitigate property damage during an emergency.”
READY Long Beach will take place Sunday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium parking lot (5000 E. Lew Davis St.) at Long Beach City College. City and community leaders will conduct a welcome ceremony on the main stage at 11 a.m. This event also includes complimentary parking for attendees.
To learn more about the Community Emergency Response Team, visit longbeach.gov/fire. Additional details about the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications can be found at longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness.
