By Jason KUROSU

Because earthquakes continue to weigh heavily on the minds of Southern Californians, the Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council is hosting an Emergency Preparedness Expo focusing on earthquakes on Saturday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will provide the public with information on what to do in preparation for and in the wake of earthquakes and other large scale disasters. The expo will be held at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave. in La Crescenta.

Participants from up to 20 different organizations will be on site to inform and educate, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) and more.

Much of the focus of the expo will be on self-reliance in case of a disaster.

“My main message with this expo is taking personal responsibility for your own welfare,” said CV Fire Safe Council President Roger Young.

During a disaster, especially one of major impact such as a large earthquake, emergency responders will very likely be unable to assist citizens in need as readily as some might expect, due to the necessities of checking on certain key areas such as hospitals and prisons and also being generally overwhelmed with calls for aid in a widespread emergency.

In a press release from the CV Fire Safe Council, it states, “Fortunately, in the Crescenta Valley, this critical period of time [waiting for emergency responders] is often fairly short, but in the more rare cases of major incidents, this waiting period can take days or even weeks. Being prepared ahead of time with knowledge, skills and resources can reduce the possibility of damage, injury, death or simple inconvenience and discomfort.”

Representatives from the various organizations at hand will provide advice, know-how and free giveaways in some cases.

Talking about the speakers at the expo, Young said, “Their talks will concentrate on how to develop skills needed in the event of an emergency.”

Along with informational speakers and booths, there will be interactive exhibitions such as a Shaky Quake, which simulates the effects of a 5.0 earthquake, and demonstrations of emergency materials like fire gel and water pumps. There will also be a raffle for some of these preparedness items.