CCPHD to hold emergency prep fair

Be prepared – that’s not just a mantra for the Boy Scouts, you know.

National Preparedness Month is recognized every September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning. This year’s theme is “Prepared, Not Scared,” according to the website, ready.gov.

“Disasters don’t always occur when we are together with our family and friends, and so it is important to take a few minutes now to plan what you will do in the event you are separated,” Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate said. “It only takes a few minutes to talk through the greatest risks that can affect where you live, work or go to school. But by having that conversation or making a plan, families will have more confidence and be better prepared when the next event happens.”

Cherokee County residents will get the chance to get prepared, too, during a pair of preparedness fairs coming up in Jacksonville and Bullard.

The Cherokee County Public Health Department (CCPHD) and the Jacksonville police, fire and animal control departments are teaming up to present the Cherokee County Preparedness Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the CCPHD, 803 College Ave., Jacksonville. Concessions and lots of family fun will be offered. All ages are welcome to attend. Admission is free.

“We’re very excited to offer this event,” CCPHD Emergency Preparedness and Disease Surveillance Branch Manager Grace Mikhail. “This is the first one we’ve organized and the overall purpose is to try to help better prepare our community for anything – natural disasters, emergency situations, whatever.

“It’s going to be a fun, family-oriented way to learn how to prepare and survive for whatever the future might hold.”

UT Health East Texas is scheduled to be on hand during the event, with the healthcare system’s medical helicopter, barring emergencies. ONCOR electric distributor will also provide power line safety demonstrations. Raffles for disaster prep kits and NOAA radios provided by the National Weather Service.

ServPro Clean-up & Restoration will also hold an open house and national preparedness event, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, 20958 FM 2493, Bullard.

National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, workplace, organizations, businesses, and places of worship.

“National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to share emergency preparedness information and host activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready,” FEMA’s website states.