The Hays County Preparedness Fair is an opportunity for the Hays County Office of Emergency Services (OES) to help our community be ready for whatever disaster, crisis or emergency strikes. We encourage our community to be trained, equipped, and empowered to help in an emergency before professional help arrives.
This year, we’re hosting our first-ever Virtual Preparedness Fair while offering all the helpful information and training as in past years. Using Zoom’s virtual meeting platform, the Preparedness Fair takes place September 26 and will provide the public with free disaster-related and emergency planning techniques, classes, and information on a variety of levels.
Each presentation will be given by certified first responders, trainers or officials from the OES. Over the next few weeks, we will also showcase videos created by local law enforcement, first responders and public service organizations. The viewing public can find all the information about the fair on HaysInformed.com, the website for emergency-related information during times of disasters, crisis and emergencies that could impact our residents. Viewers can also check out the 30 Days, 30 Ways tips on being prepared on the OES Facebook and Twitter pages.
On September 26, tune into our Zoom meeting* beginning at 9 a.m. for presentations including CERT, Firewise, CRASE and more. The full schedule is outlined below:
Virtual Presentation Schedule
9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Texas Medical Explorers / CERT
Dr. Charles Johnson, PhD
Texas State Medical Explorer is a unit of the Boy Scouts of America. CERT-Community Emergency Response Team for Hays County.
9:50 a.m.-10:35 a.m. Firewise
Jason Caldwell North Hays Co. Fire Rescue
How and why fires start. Safety tips on a wide range of topics – everything you need to know to stay safe from fire and related hazards.
10:40am-11:25am CRASE
Deputy W. R. Lowe, Hays County Sherriff
The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course for surviving an active shooter event.
11:30am-12:15am Build A Preparedness Kit
Mike Jones, OES Director
Office of Emergency Management teaches us how to build a proper Emergency Preparedness Kit.
12:20am-1:05pm Standard Response Protocol (SRP) For Grades K-12
Jeri Skrocki; Head of District Safety & Security
A uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident within a school environment.
1:10pm-1:55pm NOAA-National Weather Channel
Paul Yura, Meteorologist
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Take 10 / Stop the Bleed
Staci George San Marcos EMS
Take 10 CPR to increase cardiac arrest survival as well as the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively.
*Register for the Zoom presentations in advance; see links at bottom.
A Silent Auction benefiting two local nonprofits (shown below) takes place from Sept. 18-Sept. 26. A full 100 percent of the auction money raised will go directly to the following 501(c)3 organizations:
The Blanco River Regional Recovery Team; www.br3t.org
“To strengthen area-wide disaster coordination, mitigation, and recovery in Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, and Guadalupe counties by sharing information, supporting preparation and education, simplifying resident access to resources, and assisting affected residents with unmet needs.”
The Hays County Fire Chiefs Association; www.HCFCA.net
“To promote informed and progressive leadership throughout Hays County that results in the control and reduction of impacts from fire, medical emergencies and natural or man-made disasters through legislation, prevention, standards, training and education.”
There are also several weather radio giveaways scheduled throughout the event.
In addition, local first responders and community organizations created preparedness videos to share with the public. The YouTube playlist link is below.
Below are the Social Media and Website Links for the Virtual Preparedness Fair:
Silent Auction: www.biddingowl.com/virtualpreparednessfair
YouTube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq4vixjWv9g&list=PLwm1E__qRc9OFYqZC8hliwhdFFSA47q74
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HaysCountyOfficeOfEmergencyManagement
Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/hays_oem
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