“What to do in the first 72” might be the unofficial slogan of the Wimberley Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair slated for this weekend.
This Saturday, March 25, a group of state, county and city first responders and other service organizations will host the second annual Emergency Preparedness Fair. The fair will be held on the VFW Fairgrounds, 401 Jacob’s Well Road in Wimberley, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“In the last couple of years, law enforcement, state, county and city governments, as well as first responders and emergency management experts have worked together to create a template for managing emergency events,” said Tim Tempfer, VFW judge Advocate and FEMA hazard mitigation supervisor. “We want citizens to know how to take care of themselves when a crisis arises and who to reach out to. In complex weather events, for example, people should have plans and supplies in place that can sustain them, their families, pets and neighbors for the first 72 hours, giving first responders time to reach them.”
Knowing the agencies and services that are available can go a long way toward managing expectations.
“The fair is a good introduction to the emergency services available in our area,” said Ken Strange, director of Wimberley EMS. “We especially want to educate parents so that they can act quickly and confidently in an emergency.”
In Wimberley, there are three facilities that typically act as key helpers in a crisis. The First Baptist Church can feed up to 4,000 people a day. The Barnabas Connection can shelter and feed between 50 and 200 people in an emergency, and people with livestock can turn to the VFW to feed and shelter their animals.
“Attending the fair for an hour or two is well worth the time to learn what is available to you as a citizen,” said Mike Crusham, a retired KWVH radio executive who helped coordinate publicity for the event. “No one expects to have to help someone who suddenly suffers a heart attack in front of you. And no one wants to think about crises that might arise in schools but knowing what to do while professional help arrives might save someone’s life.”
“We’re out to build awareness,” said Kate Sowell, executive director of the Barnabas Connection. “We want people to have basic emergency kits at home and we want them to turn to trusted sources for accurate information.”
“While Facebook forums can be comforting, they are full of misinformation,” she continued, “In an emergency, tune to KWVH 94.3 for accurate information. To sign up for critical alerts, go to the Barnabas site and click the Emergency Preparedness tab. You can also get your name on the list to receive an Emergency Preparedness Kit.”
The Emergency Preparedness Kits contain 36 different items, and several kits will be on display for visitors to view.
Organizers hope people of all ages will come away from the fair with a plan in mind, an understanding of the services that are available and the discernment to seek out trusted, reliable sources for accurate information.
More than 35 entities in all have elected to converge for the purpose of educating and informing attendees. Not only will the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek be at the fair, the Hays County Office of Emergency Management, Health Department, Constable (Pct. 3) and the Sheriff’s Office and SWAT Team will be in attendance. The Wimberley EMS, fire rescue, and constable will also be there — as will the Wimberley Valley Rangers. Representatives from the National Weather Service and Texas A&M Forest Service, the Barnabas Connection, KWVH 94.3 Wimberley Valley Radio, Wimberley ISD, Pedernales Electric Company, Freedom Canines, Crime Stoppers, and 911 will host information booths.
Free hot dogs and snow cones will be available, and children can enjoy bounce houses and visiting with mini horses. Fire trucks and the Star Flight helicopter will be on display.
“We want to thank all the groups involved for taking the initiative and time to educate Wimberley families,” Sowell concluded. “This is truly a lifesaving activity.”
