The City of Santa Clarita is participating in the September National Preparedness Month. The event, now in its ninth year, is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

One of National Preparedness Month’s key messages is for everyone to be prepared to be self-reliant for a minimum of three days without electricity, water service, access to supermarkets and other local services. During this month, residents are encouraged to take time with their family, friends and co-workers to review and update their emergency planning. The basics of a family plan include having an evacuation route out of the home, selecting out of state contacts and designating a family re-unification location. Residents are also advised to create emergency kits for the home, car and workplace.

In the month of September, the City of Santa Clarita is offering the following workshops:

Prepare UR Pet (PUP) – On Monday, September 10, residents can help prepare their pets by attending a free community workshop at the Valencia Library from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The workshop will teach owners how to take care of family pets before, during and after emergencies such as fires, earthquakes and severe weather.

This workshop is a partnership between the City of Santa Clarita, American Red Cross, Pet Safe Coalition, Cal Humanities and EK4A. Presenters will include a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and animal rescue volunteers. The event will also feature door prizes and giveaways. Registration is not required to attend the workshop. The Valencia Library is located at 23743 Valencia Blvd.

Emergency Communications-Amateur Radio – Those interested in learning about the City’s Amateur Radio Operations are welcome to attend the team’s meeting on Monday, September 10, at City Hall from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Known as the “Vital Link,” the Santa Clarita Emergency Communications Team (SCECT) mission is to supply and support emergency communications for the City of Santa Clarita. Members are volunteer amateur radio operators who provide their time, talents and equipment in emergencies.

Weather Spotter Training – The National Weather Service will be conducting a Weather Spotter Training and Recruitment in Santa Clarita on Monday, September 24. The training session will be held at the City of Santa Clarita’s Activities Center, located at 20880 Centre Point Parkway, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The training is open to the public and free for all ages. The National Weather Service Spotter Program is a volunteer organization consisting of people with an interest in the weather. These reports provide important facts for forecasters, which help improve forecasts and warnings. Currently there are 91 weather spotters in the Santa Clarita Valley. Information presented will cover various severe weather hazards as well as some background information about the National Weather Service. For questions, email training meteorologist Joe Sirard at joe.sirard@noaa.gov . No RSVP is required.

Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) – Throughout the month of September and October, the Community Emergency Response Training program will be conducted at the Activities Center located at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway. The Los Angeles County Fire Department, in cooperation with the City of Santa Clarita, instructs this course, and will provide residents with education on how to respond in an emergency. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, CERT trained community members can make a difference in helping to save lives and protect property. Training will be held on seven consecutive Thursday nights from September 13 through October 25. Residents can register online at: www.santa-clarita.com/seasons.

For more information, call 661-250-3708.