READY Long Beach Returns October 12

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Long Beach Fire Department personnel conduct a Jaws of Life vehicle rescue presentation at a previous Ready Long Beach event at California State University, Long Beach.

Long Beach, CA - On Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, the Long Beach Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications, in partnership with other City of Long Beach departments, regional disaster response agencies and community partners, will host the READY Long Beach Community Preparedness Expo. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Long Beach City College, Veterans Memorial Stadium parking lot (5000 E. Lew Davis St.). Community members are invited to attend this free event and learn about how to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

"Emergencies can happen at any time, and READY Long Beach is a one-stop shop that helps ensure our community is better prepared for when they occur," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This fun-filled, free event is an opportunity for our families and neighbors to come together and talk directly with experts, pick up resources and walk away with a plan they can put into action."

Over a dozen City departments and various disaster response agencies will participate in READY Long Beach, which will feature information booths, emergency preparedness demonstrations, emergency food and supplies for purchase, a kids' fun zone and emergency response vehicles. The expo is geared to provide residents with valuable information including:

• How to gather and store minimum supplies of food, water and other essential survival tools;
• How to take action to increase preparedness;
• How to build a family evacuation and response plan;
• How to engage neighbors in disaster planning;
• How to recognize and minimize hazards in the spaces where you live, learn, work and gather; and
• Where to access training and volunteer opportunities.

This free citywide event is open to the public. A welcome ceremony featuring City and community leaders will take place on the main stage at 11 a.m. Complimentary parking will be available at the event.

"READY Long Beach empowers our community with the knowledge and resources to respond confidently in emergencies. The Long Beach Fire Department is committed to this effort with every resident in building a safer, more prepared Long Beach," said Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan.

READY Long Beach, now celebrating its eighth year, began in Long Beach in 2014. The event, which was previously held annually through 2023 with a three-year hiatus due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, will now take place biennially.

"The READY Long Beach Expo is about empowering our residents to take practical, proactive steps toward preparedness," said Reggie Harrison, Director of the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. "By bringing together disaster preparedness experts from City departments, regional partners and community organizations, we're making it easier for families to access tools, resources and information that can save lives and mitigate property damage during an emergency."

Earlier this month, the City commemorated National Preparedness Month with a month-long educational outreach and social media campaign, as well as the relaunch of the Ready Your Long Beach Neighborhood program, which connects neighbors and encourages disaster planning at the neighborhood level by offering trainings and resources to neighborhood group representatives to share with their neighborhoods. READY Long Beach is one of several events set to take place during the month of October to help residents get prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies, including the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. More information on additional events will be provided at a later date.

More information about CERT is available on the Fire Department's webpage at longbeach.gov/fire. More information about the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications can be found at longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

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