The destruction and aftermath Hurricane Harvey left reminds Los Angeles County that the time is now to prepare before the disaster strikes. For the past eight years, and in continuing the efforts to educate, train and prepare residents, businesses, houses of worship, and whole communities for emergencies and disasters, the County of Los Angeles Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ready.gov have once again teamed up in hosting and supporting September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and Los Angeles County’s Fall Prepareathon events and activities. For a complete listing of events and activities, go to http://lacoa.org.

This year’s theme, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” Below is a list of weekly themes that can be easily done during the 2017 Los Angeles County’s NPM and Prepareathon campaigns:
Week 1 (Sept. 1-9): Make a Plan for Yourself, Family and Friends
Week 2 (Sept. 10-16): Plan to Help Your Neighbor and Community
Week 3 (Sept. 17-23): Practice and Build Out Your Plan
Week 4 (Sept. 24-30): Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger

“Both September is National Preparedness Month and Los Angeles County’s Prepareathon are award-winning grass root campaigns that educate, train and prepare residents and businesses to do at least one disaster preparedness action step,” said OEM Director Jeff L. Reeb. “I strongly encourage Los Angeles County residents, businesses, houses of worship, and whole communities to attend and participate in these free emergency preparedness expos, seminars, Community Emergency Response Team trainings and/or workshops that being held in their cities and neighborhoods.” More specific information is also available in the Los Angeles County’s Emergency Survival Guide, a free publication that can be downloaded in 13 languages at https://www.lacounty.gov/emergency-survival-guide.

Also, Los Angeles County residents, renters, and business owners, including persons with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, may call 211 LA County at any time for emergency preparedness information, and other referral services. The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 211 LA County services can also be accessed online by visiting www.211la.org.

Events and Activities:
(Schedule may be subject to change – as of 9-7-17)

Thursday, September 21, 2017 (1-3 p.m.) – 5th District
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services
& Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
Santa Clarita Valley Service Center (Grand Opening)
26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(Note: Open to public and media)

Saturday, September 9, 2017 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 5th District
Are You Ready? Earthquake Preparedness at
Monrovia Public Library Community Room
321 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
(Note: Open to public and media)

Sunday, September 10, 2017 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 1st District
LA County Fair Day at Fairplex
1101 West McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768
(Note:Open to public and media)

Tuesday, September 12, 2017 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) – 3rd District
Second Annual Business Industry Council on
Emergency Planning & Preparedness (BICEPP)
Emergency Management Conference
Sportsmen’s Lodge and Hotel
12825 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604
(Note: Open to public and media)

Friday, September 15, 2017 (1-3 p.m.) – National Preparedness Day – 2nd District
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services
& Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
Willowbrook Senior Center
12915 Jarvis Street, Los Angeles, CA 90061
(Note: Open to public and media)

Saturday, September 16, 2017 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 2nd District
2nd Annual Japanese Cultural Institute Emergency Preparedness Fair
1964 West 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
(Note: OPEN to the PUBLIC and MEDIA)
Saturday, September 16, 2017 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) – 4th District
Are You Ready CERT Long Beach Emergency Preparedness Fair
California State University, Long Beach (located near The Walter Pyramid)
1250 North Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840
(Note: Open to public and media)

Sunday, September 17, 2017 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 5th District
City of South Pasadena Police & Fire Open House and Emergency Preparedness Fair
1422 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
(Note: Open to public and media)

Monday, September 18, 2017 (1-3 p.m.) – 5th District
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services
& Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
Altadena Senior Center
560 East Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001
(Note: Open to public and media)

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 (1-3 p.m.) – 1st District
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services
& Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
Potrero Heights Park Community and Senior Center
8051 Arroyo Drive, Montebello, CA 90640
(Note: Open to public and media)

Thursday, September 21, 2017 (10 a.m.12 noon) – 2nd District
2017 University of Southern California Emergency Preparedness Fair
Trousdale Parkway/Alumni Park UPC Main Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089
(Note: OPEN to campus visitors, students, staff and faculty)

Thursday, September 21, 2017 (7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Academy
Anaheim Convention Center, 3rd Floor (open to registered attendees & media)
800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802
(Note: OPEN to registered guests and media)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) – 2nd District
County of Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas
2017 National Preparedness Month Resource Expo
Harbor UCLA Medical Center
1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502
(Note: Open to public and media)

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (1-3 p.m.) – 4th District
Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services
& Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
San Pedro Service Center
769 West Third Street, San Pedro CA 90731
(Note: Open to public and media)

Friday, September 29, 2017 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) – 2nd District
County of Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas
2017 National Preparedness Month Resource Expo
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital
1680 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Saturday, October 7, 2017 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) 2nd District
Crenshaw Community Disaster Preparedness Expo 2017
West Angeles Cathedral, 3600 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90016
(Note: Open to public and media)

Sunday, October 8, 2017 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) – 1st District
Disability Pride Parade Festival
County of Los Angeles East Los Angeles Civic Center
4801 East Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90022
(Note: Open to public and media)

Thursday, October 19, 2017 (3 a.m.-3 p.m.) – 2nd District
2017 Great California ShakeOut Southern California Primary Media Day Event
County of Los Angeles Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(Note: Open to public and media)

Saturday, October 21, 2017 (9 a.m.-12 noon) – 3rd District
2nd Annual East Valley Emergency Preparedness Summit
“Before, During & After – Why Prepare?”
Church of Scientology, 11455 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601
(Note: Open to public and media)

Friday, October 27, 2017 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) – 4th District
Los Angeles County’s Prepareathon Seminar
Sunnyside Nursing Center
22617 South Vermont Avenue, Torrance, CA 90502
(NOTE: Open to public and media)

Saturday, November 4, 2017 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 1st District
2nd Annual Disability & Aging Faire and Los Angeles County Workforce Development Aging Community Services & Office of Emergency Management Prepareathon Seminar
City of South El Monte Community Center
1530 Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
(Note: Open to public and media)

Saturday, November 4, 2017 (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) – 1st District
2nd Annual Montebello Pet Fair
Montebello City Park
1401 West Whittier Boulevard, Montebello, CA 90640
(Note: Open to public and media)