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Being prepared a key to survival, say West Shore emergency providers

Annual preparedness fair in Colwood geared for people of all ages
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B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics Britney Netzer, left, and Graham Harrington accompany junior ambulance driver Diana St. Jacques, 6, of Colwood for a photo at the 2016 Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. The annual event happens again on the site May 7. Don Descoteau/News Gazette staff

Rick Stiebel

special to the Gazette

Being prepared is the key in times of an emergency or disaster.

The 10th annual Emergency Preparedness Fair and Display on Sunday, May 7 at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre provides a great way to gather a wealth of information about how you can prepare for any emergency.

The theme for this year’s event revolves around the four pillars of emergency management: preparation, mitigation, response and recovery.

The City of Colwood, View Royal Fire Rescue and a host of emergency response agencies and support organizations will be on hand to provide the best information on preparedness in a way that engages people of all ages, said Joanne Topping, deputy emergency program co-ordinator for the City of Colwood.

There will be emergency preparedness information, activities for the kids, demonstrations and static displays and community volunteer information available, as well as amateur radio demonstrations, food vendors, giveaways and draws.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to see what tools are available for an emergency or disaster of any scale,” Topping said. “It also increases awareness of who does what behind the scenes and what help is available.”

The event has grown in popularity each year, she noted. “We want to make this year’s the biggest and most successful yet.”

The event takes place inside the Juan de Fuca Seniors Centre and outsidde in the main parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit bit.ly/2pqzSzs for more information, or call 250-886-8188.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com