We all know the inherent dangers that come with living in or around the nation’s capital — we’re always a step away from a terrorist attack, Biblical plague, or three inches of snow.

But Fairfax County isn’t sitting around not doing anything about it, we learn today from the Examiner. Some 40 experts in emergency preparedness are set to teach free classes on a variety of emergency-related subjects on March 18, including “Building 72-hour Kits,” “Cooking with Stored Food” and “Making a Family Plan.” The classes will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 4911 Ox Road in Fairfax.

DCist isn’t all that well-prepared for an emergency. I have a Swiss Army multi-purpose tool, lots of pasta sauce, a box of Splenda, a few pounds of Costa Rican coffee, a mini Maglite, and old school Nintendo (yes, including Mario Brothers/Duck Hunt). Nicole owns up to having little more than a box of falafel mix, a flashlight with old batteries, and no good idea how to get out of the city safely and quickly. Sommer proudly claims a flashlight under her bed and plenty of canned food for a few days, though she adds, “I can’t say I’d be thrilled with living on creamed corn and pickled beats for too long.” Jim doesn’t much see his lack of goods as a detriment, saying, “With all the lead in DC tap water, I figured the few days without water after a disaster would actually purify my body and make me healthier.” Heather claims her days living in southern California left her with a duffel bag full of necessary goods, though it may need updating: “If the apocalypse comes I’ll be the one walking around in coke-bottle glasses and tapered, acid-wash jeans, eating a bloated can of spaghetti-os.” But no one is as ready as Hemal, who admits to keeping a spare Fruit Roll-Up in every bag she owns.

How prepared are you?