This past weekend, thousands attended the Emergency Preparedness and Safety Expo in the South Robertson area of West Los Angeles.
With the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal and several tremors closer to home on their minds, Los Angeles residents attending Sunday’s 18th annual SoRoFest street festival took a keen interest in visiting the block-long Expo. Many families took a break from the games, food and entertainment to meet emergency first responders and safety organizations- receiving valuable disaster preparation and survival information.
They watched first aid and rescue drills by Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, as well as CPR demonstrations from Vital Training. Long lines formed to experience an earthquake simulation in LA County’s “Shakey Quakey Schoolhouse” trailer. But the crowd favorite of the afternoon had to be LAFD Urban Search and Rescue unit using the “Jaws of Life” in a realistic vehicle extraction.
“This Emergency & Safety Expo was an absolutely fantastic and utterly essential community event- it gave people throughout our area the perfect opportunity to become as ready as possible for any potential disaster, including the big earthquakes that are an inevitable fact of life in Southern California,” said Paul Koretz, Los Angeles City Councilmember- CD 5. “I salute the South Robertson Neighborhoods Council, SORO, Inc., and all the caring and devoted community entities, public safety organizations, local businesses and volunteers that together made both the Emergency Preparedness & Safety Expo and SOROFEST a magnificent accomplishment.” South Robertson Neighborhoods Council | EP Expo 2015 Record Crowd Release west Page 2 of 2 Whether the next earthquake in southern California occurs on the San Andreas or on a fault capable of producing only a magnitude 6 event, it could severely impact communications, transportation and utility systems in the area. Police, fire and other agencies that normally provide emergency services in an efficient manner would likely be overwhelmed and unable to assist neighborhoods for at least 72 hours.
The Los Angeles Neighborhood Council system has taken the lead on educating and preparing the public in case a major earthquake should strike, sponsoring year round workshops, classes and events throughout the city.
“The Emergency Preparedness Expo is a great way for the public to become informed on such an important topic- especially for the children,” says Terrence Gomes, President of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC) and Co-Organizer of SOROFEST 2015. Expo participants included FEMA, American Red Cross, My Safe:LA, LAPD, LAFD, CHP, LA County Office of Emergency Management, LA City Animal Services, CERT, CPR Instructors, Emergency Supplies Vendors, Mammogram Mobile, Health Providers, and Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Organizations.
