When disaster strikes, will you be ready? Citizens are invited to learn about disaster preparedness from first responders and other experts at a free presentation, Count Me In When Disaster Strikes, on March 15 at Edmonds Community College.

The presentation, which runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m., aims to start a conversation with Southwest Snohomish County residents about preparing for a disaster.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Brian Atwater, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist based at the University of Washington. His research on earthquake and tsunami hazards hastened consensus that the Pacific Northwest is subject to earthquakes as large as magnitude 9. Atwater’s work was cited in the recent New Yorker article “The Really Big One.”

Atwater’s presentation will be from 7-8 p.m. During that time, first responders will also be providing basic information to guide attendees toward the initial, most important steps they can take toward disaster preparedness.

Both before and after the presentation – from 6:30-7 p.m. and again from 8-8:30 p.m. – those attending can visit information booths focused on disaster preparedness. Citizens will also be invited to pinpoint where they live on a giant South Snohomish County map to aid in neighborhood preparedness efforts.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 and the Lynnwood Fire Department are taking the lead in this effort, along with the My Neighborhood News Network (Lynnwood Today, MLTnews and My Edmonds News).

The event is free, but registration is requested at the following link: https://bit.ly/SnoCoDisaster.