Manassas is bringing "Ready Virginia" to the local level.
The city is the first municipality in the state to rally local residents around the state's Ready Virginia family emergency preparedness campaign.
The city's third annual Neighborhood Conference, taking "Ready Manassas" as its theme, is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 9501 Dean Park Lane, Manassas.
To share the family emergency preparedness message of the Ready Virginia campaign, the conference will feature:
- Animal Control's new Pet Friendly Evacuation Sheltering Trailer. The 25-foot trailer, funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, stores food, water, carriers, crates, disinfectant and plastic sheets for setting up a "pet wing" to a designated shelter.
- Opportunity for residents to sign up for Community Emergency Response Teams and Fire Corps training as early as January 2010 under a $12,625 grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Citizen Corps.
- Speakers (John Matthews, executive director, Community Safety Institute), workshop sessions (Community Living, Neighborhood Watch Roundtable) and networking opportunities with police, fire and rescue and emergency management officials.
- Free disaster supplies from the Prince William Chapter, American Red Cross and Costco include a limited number of disaster kits designed for people with disabilities from the Independence Empowerment Center.
- Exhibitors, entertainment by the "7" Step Hand Dance Academy and Zumba Fitness, Wegman's Divine Dessert Church Contest and the announcement of the city's 2009 Neighborhood of the Year.
Organizers hope each conference participant takes away Ready Virginia's simple three steps to protecting loved ones in an emergency: 1. Get a kit. 2. Make a plan. 3 Stay informed.
The conference is sponsored by Ameriprise Financial Planner Glenn C. Moore and the city. Attendance is free but those attending must register to ensure that enough food is planned for lunch.
To register call 703-257-8240 or online at www.manassascity.org/conference.
Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.<p>
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