MALIBU—On Tuesday, September 1, the city of Malibu announced to prepare for wildfire season, and as part of National Preparedness Month in September, the city will hold weekly Disaster Notification drills, share preparedness tips on social media, offer a CERT training course, and host the Safety Resource Fair to empower community members to be part of achieving community-wide disaster preparedness in Malibu.
“National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to take action to be ready for wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and any other disaster that may strike,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “The City, community members, and first responders have a shared responsibility for achieving community-wide preparedness and resilience.”
During Preparedness Month, Malibu will send a weekly test message using the Everbridge Disaster Notification System, which the city has been using for several years for the most serious emergencies that threaten lives and properties and require evacuations. Each Thursday at 5 p.m., the city will send a test message to one of Malibu’s four Evacuation Zones. Look up your Evacuation Zone: https://www.MalibuCity.org/evac
· Thursday, September 3, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C111
· Thursday, September 10, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C112
· Thursday, September 17, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C113
· Thursday, September 24, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C114
Most landlines and cell phone numbers with Malibu addresses are automatically entered into the system. Residents and businesses are asked to visit the Everbridge portal at www.MalibuCity.org/DisasterNotifications, create a profile, and add additional contact information such as street addresses or secondary phone numbers. For assistance with Everbridge contact the Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@MalibuCity.org.
Anyone who does not receive a test message during Preparedness Month should contact the Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@MalibuCity.org.
All community members are asked to sign up for the city’s free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn basic emergency skills so they can help themselves, their families and their neighbors during a disaster. The nationally recognized program teaches basic first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, and other skills that can be critical during disasters when professional first responders may be delayed or overwhelmed. The series of six classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings September 22 through October 8, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Malibu Library. Learn more and sign up at: www.MalibuCity.org/CERT.
The city of Malibu’s Safety Resource Fair is Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Malibu City Halll to learn how to prepare one’s family, home, neighborhood or business for wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters.
Highlights include:
· Brush clearance and home hardening information
· Volunteer opportunities
· Emergency services and supplies vendors
· Meet your City Public Safety Department staff, local law enforcement officers and the CERT Malibu Team
· Free raffle with great prizes
· Fire extinguisher training
All event details are posted at: www.MalibuCity.org/safetyfair.
By Danny Jones