The Hays County Office of Emergency Services and numerous public safety-minded partners invited residents to learn more about all aspects of personal safety during September, which has been proclaimed by the Hays County Commissioners Court as Emergency Preparedness Month. Multiple agencies participated in the Second Annual Hays County Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday at the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center.
“From weather emergencies like floods and tornadoes to man-made ones like hazardous material spills and active shooters, it helps to know what to do and how to respond,” said Hays County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Mike Jones. “The Preparedness Fair will help all residents become familiar with the many aspects of personal safety that are so critical to their well-being.”
Jones also noted that preparedness is “crucial for the survivability of the community” following a disaster and encouraged residents to think like pioneers – learn to rely on yourself and to help neighbors. The countywide emergency information site, www.haysinformed.com, has advice on preparedness actions, including items that should be included in home and vehicle emergency supply kits.
Attendees learned more about area emergency response organizations and got information on training, products and services available to help them better prepare for emergencies. A series of short seminars on safety were held throughout the day that empower residents to help themselves, their family and others. First responders from police and fire departments, EMS, search and rescue showed off some of the equipment – from SWAT vehicles to ambulances to a Blackhawk helicopter – used to protect residents. Hays County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members were at the event to share preparedness information and explain how CERT members – of which there are some 400 in Hays County – assist during emergencies.
At the fair was music from local bands, food, games and a raffle. Raffle proceeds go to a local nonprofit recovery organization, the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T), which has helped communities recover from the 2015 floods and recently helped survivors of a horrendous apartment fire in San Marcos.
