ST. GEORGE – When a catastrophic disaster strikes, preparation makes the difference. “Family preparedness without breaking the bank,” is the theme of this year’s Washington County Community Preparedness Expo.
The Expo is free to the public and will feature emergency preparedness and training for all. It will be held at the Dixie Center on Sept. 8. Keynote address, sessions and classes will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., vendor booths will remain open until 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Utah Public Health Department’s public information officer, David Heaton, will give a keynote speech at 9 a.m. on “Warning Stones and Block Parties.” Heaton will share historical warnings, anecdotes from Japan’s recent earthquake experience and how working together can lessen the impact of damage in disasters.
Seven sessions are scheduled, including presentations on: The Washington County School District Reunification plan for reuniting families in case of emergency, alternative energy options in case of disaster and for daily needs, earthquake experience, use of social media during and after an emergency, smart food storage, disaster education and Utah’s emergency animal response coalition.
Continuous classes will be held on solar cooking, community emergency response teams and ID kits and activities for kids.
The Expo will also feature vendor booths with displays, information, and preparedness products.
Last year’s Expo provided training and information to over 500 county residents and visitors and attendance is expected to be far greater for this year. It is hosted by the Washington County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Contact:
Margie Woodruff, Phone: 435-668-2210 / Email: [email protected]
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I see no value in an event such as this and in my opinion it does more harm than good when it comes to educating the peasantry on emergency adaptivity.