Today marks the beginning of National Emergency Preparedness Month — a time to develop or revisit your emergency plan that will keep you, your family, and your neighborhood safe. 

Fire season is here, and as we’ve seen over the last few years and this week with the Caldor Fire, our region is experiencing longer, more intense fire seasons. And this intensity underscores the more extreme weather conditions we are seeing worldwide due to climate change.

In addition to the work the City is doing to reduce our carbon footprint, L.A. is prepared to tackle our toughest fires with the best-equipped and most effective fire department in the U.S. We're also prepared to assist when others need our help, and this week, we answered that call by sending 44 LAFD firefighters and 10 engines to join the fight against the Caldor Fire.

While our firefighters stand on the frontlines protecting our city, we all have a role to play.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Ready, Set, Go! program is designed to help every Angeleno prepare in the case of a wildfire. If you’re a property owner, it’s critical to clear brush around your property year-round to help prevent fires.

Keep an eye out for smoke. If you see it, call 9-1-1 immediately. It’s also crucial to develop a wildfire plan in case of evacuation. To learn more about fire safety, visit LAFD.org/ReadySetGo.

These steps go a long way in preventing and controlling fires, and, most importantly, keeping you and your family safe.

We also must ensure that our friends, families, and neighbors are ready — not just for fire season but for every emergency. The City of L.A. can help you prepare. 

Ready Your L.A. Neighborhood

The Ready Your LA Neighborhood (RYLAN) Program can help your family and your neighborhood prepare for any emergency.

RYLAN offers free tools and resources, including information on how to start your own emergency kit, tips on creating an emergency communication plan for your family, and free workshops hosted by the Emergency Management Department (EMD) to help you and your neighbors better prepare.

You can even find tips on how to keep your pets safe.  

NotifyLA Emergency Text Alerts

Through NotifyLA, you can receive free and immediate alerts about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message. You can also sign up to receive important information about your neighborhood, schools, local businesses, COVID-19, and more.

Text "READY" to 888-777 or visit NotifyLA.org to receive free emergency alerts.

To receive the latest information about emergencies, preparedness, and more, follow @NotifyLA and @ReadyLA on Twitter.

Emergency preparedness is critical, and we all have a shared responsibility in keeping our city safe. The choices we make now can save lives and build an even stronger, more resilient Los Angeles. 

Strength and love to all of you. 

Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor