After Earthquake, County Reminds Residents to be Prepared

After a 3.8 earthquake hit near Marina del Rey this morning, Los Angeles County Officials are reminding people to take the necessary steps to prepare for the "Big One" and other natural disasters.

• The Los Angeles Fire Department prepares volunteers to be part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)—classes are now ongoing.  Better to be prepared than panic.

• The Red Cross details the basic items to put into an emergency preparedness kit and has its own store that sells such kits.

• The county also has a registry to facilitate response times in an emergency for residents with special needs.

• The L.A. Emergency Survival Guide is available in a dozen different langugaes. 

• Residents may also dial 211 for emergency preparedness information or visit 211la.org