MALIBU, CA — Malibu residents will receive test emergency alerts throughout September as the city marks National Preparedness Month and prepares for peak wildfire season.
The city is also offering a free Community Emergency Response Team training course, hosting a Safety Resource Fair and sharing disaster preparedness information throughout the month.
"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," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said. "The city, community members, and first responders have a shared responsibility for achieving community-wide preparedness and resilience."
Malibu will test its Everbridge Disaster Notification System at 5 p.m. each Thursday, with a different evacuation zone receiving a test each week.
The schedule is:
No signup is required to receive the test messages. Most landline and cellphone numbers associated with Malibu addresses are automatically entered into the system, according to the city.
Residents and businesses can check their evacuation zone here and create an Everbridge profile or add additional contact information here.
Anyone who does not receive a scheduled test message should contact the Malibu Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@MalibuCity.org.
The city will also offer a free CERT training course beginning Sept. 22. The six-class program will cover emergency skills including basic first aid, fire suppression and search and rescue.
Classes will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 22 through Oct. 8 at the Malibu Library. Registration information is available here.
Malibu's Safety Resource Fair is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at Malibu City Hall.
The event will include information about brush clearance and home hardening, volunteer opportunities, emergency services and supply vendors, fire extinguisher training and a free raffle. Attendees will also be able to meet city Public Safety Department staff, local law enforcement officers and members of the CERT Malibu Team.
More information about the fair is available here.
Throughout September, the city also plans to share emergency preparedness information on social media covering evacuations, emergency alerts, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, power outages, floods, landslides and other emergencies.
Additional information will focus on preparing seniors, people with disabilities, pets and large animals for disasters.
The city's Public Safety Department is also launching its Ready.Set.Malibu. video series, with individual videos addressing specific emergency preparedness topics.
More information about Preparedness Month programs is available on the city's website.
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