Natural and manmade disasters can happen any time. That’s why the Pike County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging area residents to “be ready.”

In a partnership with Troy University, the Pike County EMA will host Be Ready Pike County outside the Trojan Arena on the Troy campus Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

The event is part of National Preparedness Month and will feature exhibits of response equipment, interactive demonstrations and will focus on increasing the public’s awareness about the importance of preparation.

“We encourage every citizen in Pike County to come to Be Ready Day,” said EMA Director Jeanna Barnes. “Christmas Day 2012 showed us that even Pike County can be struck by a disaster. It is important for each of us to be prepared for the disasters that we may face and be familiar with the response efforts available to us.”

Area resident will also be able to ask questions and interact with exhibitors and local officials.

“Professional and volunteer responders will be on hand to interact with visitors to stress the importance of being prepared,” said Herb Reeves, Dean of Student Services at Troy University and the university’s director of Public Safety.

At 11 a.m., a ceremony will be held to honor local first responders and the memory of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

“As we reflect on the twelfth anniversary of the attacks on our country on Sept. 11, please take a moment this week to personally thank the first responders who not only keep our nation safe, but also our community safe,” Barnes reminded the community. “It is these individuals that risk their lives daily to keep us safe from the dangers and disasters that pose a threat to our lives.”

There is no cost to attend the Be Ready event and no advanced registration is necessary.