The County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) hosted the fourth annual Sirens of Silence – A Special Day with First Responders event in partnership with the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SG/PRC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Hundreds attended this event, specially tailored to connect neurodiverse individuals and their families with first responders during a unique sensory-friendly experience. Event participants tried on first responder personal protective equipment, explored first responder apparatus, observed a K-9 rescue demonstration, created art, and received safety information and resources. More importantly, families were able to share approaches that first responders could implement to better care for their neurodiverse loved ones.
Each year, the LACoFD hosts this event to celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in April. The LACoFD not only raises awareness but also fosters acceptance, inclusion, and education of the various strengths and talents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The Department is grateful to partner with SG/PRC and LACDMH for an impactful event as well as this year’s community partners: Alisa Ann Burn Foundation, Artsy Wagon, Autism Society LA, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Falck Ambulance, Irwindale Police Department, La Verne Fire Department, Pomona Police Department, and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
The LACoFD’s award-winning Sirens of Silence program promotes ASD and neurodiversity, education, and inclusion through training and extensive resources available on the Department website.
For more SG/PRC information and resources, visit sgprc.org or call (909) 620-7722.
