FIRST RESPONDERS AND VENDORS POSE FOR A PHOTOGRAPH DURING THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FAIR AT THE VFW FAIRGROUNDS. PHOTOS BY TERESA KENDRICK
LOCAL BALLPLAYERS TRY OUT THE TRAVIS COUNTY LIFE FLIGHT HELICOPTER.
PEDERNALES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LINEMAN GARRETT CHANEY DEMONSTRATED A HIGH RISE BUCKET LIFT WHILE A DRONE HOVERS NEARBY.
MADONNA KIMBALL OF MY NEIGHBORS KEEPER NON-PROFIT SERVICE ORGANIZATION ALERTS HOMEOWNERS WITH PAID OFF MORTGAGES TO REMEMBER TO PURCHASE FIRE INSURANCE.
WIMBERLEY VALLEY FIRE AND RESCUE, WITH CHIEF CARROLL CZICHOS IN THE MIDDLE AND FLANKED BY STARFLIGHT PILOT JEFF PICKLESIMER, L, AND FLIGHT CREW PERSON CALEB MERRELL, R, THROUGH THE BAY OF THE STAR FLIGHT HELICOPTER.
EMS DIRECTOR KEN STRANGE GIVES AWAY PRIZES TO VISITORS WHO COMPLETED EVENT PASSPORTS.
WIMBERLEY VIEW PUBLISHER DALTON SWEAT ATTENDS THE FAIR WITH DAUGHTERS CHARLOTTE AND SAMANTHA.
HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 DON MONTAGUE POSES WITH DEPUTIES.
Emergency Preparedness Fair draws exhibitors and citizens
Upwards of 500 people attended the Emergency Fair at the VFW Fairgrounds on Saturday. Visitors received “passports” that obliged them to visit the various presenters in order to win prizes. Emergency Medical Services Director Ken Strange emceed the event, keeping visitors in the know of Fair events and drawings. Kate Sowell, Executive Director of the Barnabas Connection along with Board Member Mike Crusham and Tim Tempfer, VFW Judge Advocate and FEMA hazard mitigation supervisor, ably wrangled the event from the front lines.
On hand to greet visitors were representatives from state, county and city first responders and other service organizations who showed citizens “What to do in the first 72,” by handing out emergency supply checklists and other information. The checklist, along with prepared “Go Bags,” prepares citizens to be self-reliant for 3 days until responders are able to reach them.
Out to build awareness, part of the fair’s message was to teach people to turn to trust-ed sources for accurate information.
“While Facebook forums can be comforting, they are full of misinformation,” said Sowell. “In an emergency, tune to KWVH 94.3. To sign up for critical alerts, go to the Barnabas site, barnabasconnection. org and click the Emergency Preparedness tab.”
Organizers hoped people came away with a plan in mind, an understanding of the services available and the discernment to seek out trusted, reliable sources.