Beverly Hills residents have new emergency zone codes to learn before the next wildfire or earthquake hits.

The city has renamed its nine emergency response zones from simple numbers (Zone 1 through Zone 9) to alphanumeric codes, BHL 101 through BHL 901, to align with California state standards and surrounding agencies. The change, announced in a city press release on May 26, means the codes residents hear during evacuation orders or traffic control announcements will look different from what they've known for years.

To help residents get up to speed, the city and volunteer group Just in Case BH will host a free Emergency Community Fair on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to Canyon News. The fair is free. It falls at the start of National Preparedness Month.

"Preparedness is a shared responsibility," Fire Chief Greg Barton said in the May 26 announcement. "It's important our residents know what zone they are part of that may be referenced during an evacuation order or emergency."

The zone codes matter because in a major disaster, Beverly Hills Fire and Police departments may be delayed up to 72 hours in their medical response, depending on severity. The city encourages residents to be self-sufficient for at least seven days and ideally up to two weeks.

Just in Case BH, the volunteer group that partners with the fire department on preparedness outreach, held a similar fair at Roxbury Park on June 7. Mayor Craig Corman, Vice Mayor Mary Wells and Councilmember Sharona Nazarian attended that event, the city said on its official X account.

Residents can find their new zone designation on the city's interactive map at beverlyhills.org/438/Just-in-Case-BH. To sign up for emergency text alerts, text BEVHILLS and BHPDALERT to 888777. The city's disaster hotline is (310) 550-4680, and emergency information broadcasts on 1500 AM radio.

For details on the Sept. 6 fair, visit beverlyhills.org/438/Just-in-Case-BH.