Are You Ready To Rumble? Earthquake Prep, Demos, And Burgers This Saturday At The Disaster Preparedness Fair

Guest post by Bill Hopkins, GHNNC Emergency Preparedness Chair

Ever been curious to see the fire department dismantle a car with the Jaws of Life?

Visitors to this Saturday's Disaster Preparedness Fair can also go for a ride in the Shakey-Quakey Schoolhouse earthquake simulator, learn about preparing pets for disasters and emergencies, walk through the LAPD Command Vehicle, learn about free Community Emergency Response Team classes, and get preparedness information from the Red Cross, the Gas Company, LADWP, and other organizations.

 "The first 72 to 96 hours after a disaster, emergency services will be overwhelmed handling priority emergencies, requiring residents to be self-sufficient during that time," says LAFD Battalion Fire Chief Gerry Malais. "Having three or more days of food, water, medical, and pet supplies is imperative so that you’re not dependent on overwhelmed city services."

Volunteer emergency response organizations like Citizens Emergency Mobile Patrol and Civil Air Patrol will be on hand, as will an amateur radio ham radio station (call sign: K6D) and representatives from CHP, LAPD, LA Sheriff's Department, animal rescue organizations, and emergency preparedness product vendors.

The family-friendly event will also include a Fire Department open house, a puppet show, and a sparking electric diorama from LADWP to demonstrate of electrical safety.

How-to demonstrations include "sidewalk CPR" and how to use a fire extinguisher, and event freebies include emergency preparedness kits for the first 500 attendees and free burgers and hot dogs, and a drawing for an EP backpack filled with emergency supplies.

The free event is sponsored by Valley Neighborhood Councils, Earthquake Country Alliance, local merchants, and Councilmember Mitchell Englander, with various City, State, and Federal agencies. For further information, please email valleydisasterpreparedness@gmail.com.


Sixth Annual Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair 
Saturday, October 5, 2013, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 
Fire Station 87, 10124 Balboa Blvd., North Hills (between Devonshire St. and Lassen St.) Preparedness information, demos, activities for kids, free food 
Admission is free

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 8, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    We went and were disappointed. We expected far more information, exhibits, and demonstrations... It seemed more like an opportunity for the LAFD to show of their toys than anything else...

    ReplyDelete

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