County's OEMHS to host free Public Safety Fair Sept. 13

In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) will host the free "Ready Montgomery: Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Fair" on Saturday, Sept. 13.  The Public Safety Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wheaton Local Park located at 11729 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring.

"I encourage everyone to attend the Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Fair and engage with our public safety experts to learn how to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Emergencies and disasters can strike at any time, and being prepared can make the difference between life and death or serious injury. By learning practical skills and accessing valuable resources provided, we can ensure the safety and resilience of our families and communities.”

National Preparedness Month is an annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. The resources and information shared during National Preparedness Month and on Ready.gov can be used by anyone at any time to get prepared for whatever may come their way. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's "Ready Campaign" aims to ensure all our friends and neighbors have the tools they need to prepare for disasters and build resilience before disaster strikes.

The Public Safety Fair will feature a variety of activities and resources, including:

• Emergency preparedness talks
• CPR and AED training
• Bleeding control demonstrations
• Public safety resource tables
• Face-painting
• Giveaways
• Lawn games
• Touch-a-Truck: an opportunity for families to explore emergency vehicles from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD)
• Shaved ice

The Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Fair vendors and exhibitors include various county agencies, OEMHS, MCPD District 4 Wheaton, the MCFRS Community Risk Reduction Services team, the County Emergency Communications Center, the Department of Health and Human Services Crisis Center and the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center.

Other groups participating in the Public Safety Fair include the county Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), CERT, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute Emergency Management Division, So What Else!, Meals on Wheels of Takoma Park/Silver Spring, and Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster organizations (VOAD).

COAD is a network of community organizations that collaborate to address the community's needs during all stages of a disaster. By connecting the capabilities of various partners, COAD aims to enhance emergency response and recovery efforts. This partnership includes nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations and government agencies, working together to provide timely and effective assistance to disaster survivors. The goal is to make the community safer and more resilient by efficiently organizing and deploying resources during disasters.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Montgomery at alert.montgomerycountymd.gov to receive important emergency notifications. The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate and immediate emergency notifications from the county to your cell, work or home phones via text, email or voice message to receive notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, a child's school or other locations within the county.