September is National Preparedness Month, the perfect time to do a few basic things NOW that can make all the difference LATER when an emergency happens. The City of Goleta is kicking off the month of September by releasing several videos in English and Spanish to outline steps you can take BEFORE a disaster strikes and how to get involved in emergency preparedness in Goleta. Watch the videos in English with the City’s Emergency Services Coordinator Jason Levy and in Spanish with Emergency Services Program Technician Ana Sofia Aguilar Encinas.  

• September is National Preparedness Month – English
• September is National Preparedness Month – Spanish
• Prepare for Emergencies – English
• Prepare for Emergencies – Spanish

In one of the videos Jason Levy says, “An emergency can happen at any moment. That’s why we are making sure we are ready here at the City and we want you to be ready as well. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a disaster is the key.”

There are many ways you can get involved in emergency preparedness and response right here in Goleta. The City offers three free options available at various times throughout the year. Class dates and sign-up opportunities will be announced soon at www.CityofGoleta.org/Preparedness.

• Community Disaster Education (CDE) Courses are a great place to start. They are one-hour workshops that teach introductory lessons on how to become prepared for a disaster. You can request a CDE in English or Spanish to be given at your local community event, work lunch hour, or other gathering with a minimum of 15 people in attendance.
  
  
• LISTOS is a grassroots disaster preparedness program. LISTOS offers 8-hour courses in Spanish and English. The LISTOS course is especially flexible and can be broken up to fit your group's needs. The course provides easy, actionable steps for you and your family to stay safe before, during, and after disasters. 
  
  
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training is a 20-24 hour course that teaches residents how to work together following a disaster. CERT is a high demand program offered nationwide that is designed to empower residents with essential skills and knowledge to prepare themselves, their families, and the community for emergencies and disasters.

The Goleta City Council will be proclaiming September 2025 as National Preparedness Month in the City of Goleta at tonight’s September 2 Council meeting.

For more information, go to the City’s newly updated webpage: www.cityofgoleta.org/preparedness.

Learn more about National Preparedness Month, and how to make sure you and your family are prepared at https://www.ready.gov/september.

Remember, a ready community is a prepared community, and it starts with you! 

Watch our "September is National Preparedness Month" video here or click photo above

Watch video on emergency preparedness here or click photo above