Fire Expo in Malibu on Saturday

SANTA BARBARA FIRE 

UNDERSCORES NEED FOR

“LIVING IN THE FIRE ZONE”

 

Helping You Prepare Against Wildland Fire

Saturday, June 27, 2009

LOS ANGELES – JUNE 25, 2009  – One month after the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara burned over 78 homes, scorched over 8700 acres and left seven (7) firefighters injured, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, in partnership with the City of Malibu, urges residents to attend the “LIVING IN THE FIRE ZONE” Expo and Emergency Preparedness Fair to learn about preparing their homes and protecting their lives.  This event takes place on Saturday, June 27 at Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu.  Hours are from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Firefighters will be on hand to help residents understand their vulnerability to fire and encouraging homeowners to be prepared to evacuate when asked to do so by fire officials and law enforcement officers.  Attendees can also learn about the Department’s new “Ready! Set! Go!” campaign, which is designed to help homeowners create their own Personal Wildfire Action Plan.

LIVING IN THE FIRE ZONE is an educational effort initiated by Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman described as a “Wildland Fire Protection Initiative,” developed as a result of the numerous firestorms that significantly impact Southern California communities each year.

Vendors* will feature products ranging from basic emergency supplies, structure protection gels, personal protective equipment, portable fire suppression systems, pool pump supplies, and more. 

“It is important to understand that the Department does not advocate a property owner’s decision to stay,” said Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman.  “We believe it is in everyone’s best interest to evacuate early and quickly… and most important, they need to fully understand the risk at which they are placing not only themselves, but also the firefighters should they refuse to leave.”

Other exhibitors include the Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division, City of Malibu Emergency Preparedness and Volunteer Groups (CERT and Arson Watch); the American Red Cross; Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station; California Highway Patrol; Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management; and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department is one of the largest emergency service agencies in the world, providing fire protection and life safety services to more than 3.8 million residents and commercial business customers in the County’s 2,296 square mile area.  With over 80 years of world class service as proud protectors, the Department is a frontrunner in firefighting technology, offering specialized training opportunities in Urban Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Air Operations and Homeland Security.  The mission of its uniform and civilian team of over 4,000 dedicated professionals is to provide prompt, skillful, cost-effective fire protection and life safety services to the public.

For further information, call Public Affairs at (213) 323-8411 or Maria Grycan, Community Service Liaison at (213) 247-7298.

 

 

 

 

 

* NOTE: The Los Angeles County Fire Department does not endorse any vendors or their products. A comprehensive list of vendors will be available at the event.