EDINBURG – Be prepared not scared, that's the message from Hidalgo County Emergency Management officials.

Wednesday was the first of four community events offering preparedness training on general safety.

Officials are offering basic information on personal and family preparedness, including response priorities and strategies for working together with family members and neighbors.

The event comes in the wake of deadly fires during last week’s cold front.

Authorities also went over crime prevention, domestic violence, the importance of 9-1-1 and why people need to participate in the 2020 Census.

The other three community events have not yet been scheduled.