This yr’s Hays County Emergency Preparedness Honest is all about celebrating group heroes by serving to Hays County residents put together for any emergency by means of data, training and studying new expertise. Simply within the final a number of years, Hays County skilled devastating flooding, two winter freezes and a number of wildfires.
Workplace of Emergency Companies (OES) Director Mike Jones mentioned preparation is the important thing.
“It’s all about being extra resilient and prepared for no matter comes our manner,” he mentioned. “When catastrophe strikes, we would like our group residents to be their very own heroes by being ready.”
He added that his division felt strongly sufficient in regards to the occasion’s objective that it used the phrase because the tagline: ‘When catastrophe strikes, be your individual hero.’
What does that actually imply?
“It’s a willingness to deal with your self, your loved ones and your neighbors when there may be an emergency or pure catastrophe that hits Hays County,” he mentioned. “With the best coaching and preparation, anybody could be their very own hero.”
Michelle Villegas, the county’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, defined the thought of being ready.
“It means having provides readily available, realizing what to do, and offering assist to these in want,” she mentioned. “Throughout sure emergencies, first responders might not have the ability to get to you or your neighborhood straight away. However you probably have the data and provides, you possibly can start the method of serving to individuals.”
She mentioned emergencies might come within the type of extreme climate in addition to disasters together with chemical or hazardous supplies spills.
“Whether or not it’s essential to shelter in place, evacuate or something in between, realizing methods to react, methods to stay calm and the way finest to assist can imply the distinction between life and demise,” she mentioned.
Villegas, a former Air Power nurse, mentioned the family-friendly occasion, which takes place on the Performing Arts Middle in Kyle, gives helpful, related data together with distributors, meals vans, and dwell performances by native college bands. As a particular deal with this yr, Villegas mentioned the U.S. Air Power Band shall be on the honest and play quite a lot of patriotic and different tunes.
The occasion additionally features a raffle and silent public sale; proceeds profit BR3T and the Hays County Hearth Chief’s Affiliation, respectively.
She mentioned this yr’s occasion additionally options the TOP DAWG Chili Prepare dinner-off for hearth, legislation enforcement and EMS groups that may happen on the metropolis of Kyle’s Heroes Memorial Park subsequent to the PAC.
“Our native first responders will compete in a chili cooking contest and a panel of judges will decide the profitable chili,” she mentioned. “Occasion attendees should buy tickets after which have a style of every contestant’s entry. We are going to then even have a ‘Individuals’s Selection’ award.”
Villegas mentioned she is wanting ahead to the cook-off and hopes the group will come out to assist it.
“Proceeds from ticket gross sales will profit the Hays County Hearth Chief’s Affiliation,” she mentioned.
As in years previous, honest attendees can see useful emergency preparedness demonstrations, discover ways to make a preparedness package (aka “Go Bag”) and listen to from consultants about methods to be able to face most any emergency, resembling floods, freezes, tornados, hurricanes, and fires.
This yr’s honest options quite a lot of first responders and their equipment from round Hays County and the prospect to see helicopters take off and land. Attendees may also be taught in regards to the county’s emergency alert system (WarnCentralTexas.Org), discuss to first responders, and discover out extra in regards to the Group Emergency Response Crew (CERT).
Villegas mentioned there shall be youngsters’s actions and video games. The Hays Excessive and Lehman Excessive Coloration Guards shall be a part of the opening ceremonies and Dep. Constable Ali Flores, Pct. 5, will sing The Star-Spangled Banner.
Distributors and demonstrators will supply the next:
- What paperwork to absorb case of an evacuation
- The way to finest care on your pets throughout an emergency
- Insurance coverage protection and monetary points after a disaster
- The way to determine edible vegetation and flowers
- Constructing a “go bag” if it’s essential to evacuate your property
For extra details about the Hays County Emergency Preparedness Honest, go to https://haysinformed.com. The occasion takes place on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Hays CISD Performing Arts Middle in Kyle. The TOP DAWG Chili Prepare dinner-off takes place from noon-3 p.m. at Heroes Memorial Park.
Group assist by means of sponsorships are welcome. Desirous about internet hosting a sales space or donating a silent public sale merchandise? Contact Michelle Villegas at Michelle.Villegas@co.hays.tx.us.