Prepare Fair Helps Families Plan for Disasters

Des Moines area emergency responders, businesses and nonprofit organizations are hosting a free event to encourage residents and employers to become better prepared for natural and man-made disasters.

The second annual Prepare Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Merle Hay Mall, 3800 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines.

More than 20 exhibitors will help families learn how they can be better prepared for severe weather and a variety of emergency situations. Emergency crews will be available to answer questions and provide a hands-on tour of their equipment, including fire trucks, emergency equipment and more.

“The recent heat wave in Iowa demonstrates how important it is to have a plan in case of a disaster,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Safeguard Iowa Partnership. “… We want to bring awareness to the ways people can protect themselves and their families from unexpected events. It’s essential to be prepared to survive on your own for the first 72 hours following a disaster. Become involved today to help better prepare yourself and your family by assembling an emergency supply kit, making a plan, and staying informed.”

The Prepare Fair includes opportunities to:

• Pick up a free ID kit. MidAmerican Energy will provide free identification kits to the first 250 families who attend the Prepare Fair. Each kit includes an inkless fingerprint kit, wallet card and DNA collection swabs that can be used to collect valuable identification if a child is missing. 

• Watch the dogs. Several K-9s will be on hand to show families how dogs are trained to assist in search and rescue operations.

• Check out the displays. See special exhibits, including the KCCI-TV Storm Truck, a preparedness video by West Des Moines native Shawn Johnson, and Iowa One Call’s Gabby the Groundhog mascot.

• Gather important information. Instructions will be available on how to program personal weather radios to the appropriate channels so families can receive local information and warnings when severe weather is in the area.

• Get the kids involved. Children can participate in various activities and see emergency responder vehicles up close.

Participating organizations and businesses will include: the American Red Cross, Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Animal Rescue League, Des Moines Water Works, FEMA Region 7, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, Iowa Association of Public Works, Iowa Contingency Planners, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council, Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Iowa One Call, Johnston Police Department, KCCI-TV Storm Team, Nationwide Insurance, MidAmerican Energy Company, Polk County Emergency Management, Polk County Health Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Safeguard Iowa Partnership, Salvation Army, SHAZAM, United Way 211, Urbandale Fire Department and Urbandale Police Department.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. If a business or nonprofit organization is interested in helping to sponsor the event, call 515-246-1707.