On Saturday, September 17, 2022, the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is holding its first-ever Emergency Preparedness Fair. The Fair is happening from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive). 

This family-friendly and free event is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to learn the proper practices to prepare for and take action in times of a disaster. Partnering agencies such as the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Animal Welfare, American Red Cross, Community Ambulance, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and the Health Department will all be in attendance.

“Preparedness is crucial when your home or community are struck by a disaster,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “Knowing how to be prepared and how to properly respond to a disaster can be the matter of life or death. We want everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, especially as we enter hurricane season.” 

People will learn preparedness tactics such as writing emergency plans and mapping their evacuation routes, preparing disaster kits useful when evacuating quickly, basic CPR training, basic fire safety, etc. They will also get the opportunity to take home educational material and items that contribute to a disaster kit.  

“We chose an event as large as this because we have so many wonderful partners in the community we wanted to utilize, as well as allow them a chance to connect to the Macon-Bibb community,” says Hawkins. “We’re hoping this is the first of many more fairs in the future.”