What Will You Do When the 'Big One' Strikes?

You're probably familiar with stop, drop and roll. However, that's not enough for the pending 'Big One' and local disaster relief agencies want citizens ready.

The nonprofit Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council will host an  on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at nearby . The main topic will be earthquakes and how to best prepare. 

"Ultimately, when in fact the smaller ones or big ones occur, we’re all going to be on our own. The reality of this is if you plan ahead you’ll be in a better position than your neighbor. You’ll be able to help your neighbor," said Roger Young, President of the Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council. 

The Station Fire in 2009 happened about five months following the last exposition, Young said, stressing the importance of disaster preparedness. 

Douglas Given of the U.S. Geological Survey and member of the Bay Area Earthquake Alliance will be a guest speaker.

Given will discuss the two fault lines that run through La Crescenta, which should inspire people to learn survival skills, Young said. 

"It's one thing to go and sit and do nothing. It's another to attend a session like this, pick up the goods that you've been exposed to and prepare a plan of action," Young said. 

This plan of action could involve a list of immediate emergency contacts, both in the area or out of state. It could also mean purchasing a generator. 

"It's our goal to not only inform people about the risks that they're going to be facing or in the long run, what we're going to face at some point in time," Young said. 

Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Paul Dutton from CV CERT, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Tony Tartaglia from the Gas Company are some of the speakers at the event. 

The goal is simple: help residents, businesses and schools of the Crescenta Valley become better able to deal with conditions during the interval between the onset of an emergency or disaster and the arrival of professional responders, which include fire, law enforcement, medical aid or other assistance.  

"We motivate [people] to the extent of taking action," Young said.

This action first comes with education, specifically telling people where two main fault lines are in La Crescenta (see attached photo). 

"Briggs Terrace, Canyonside areas, are earthquake faults that have been plotted. If you knew it, you probably wouldn't buy there," Young said. 

Another fault line travels along Markridge Road, comes down Pineglen Drive, around the mountain up to Goss Canyon.  

There will be speakers to help further explain security, emergency and disaster issues for the local area; demonstrations and vendors will also sell preparedness items such as food and beverages.

Residents are invited to bring their fire extinguishers for recharging at a discount rate. 

The CV Fire Safe Council will also accept tax-deductible donations.