National Emergency Preparedness 2008 Event in Mesa

Are you ready? Are you prepared for a disaster?  The City of Mesa Emergency Management is sponsoring National Emergency Preparedness 2008 on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mesa Riverview Bass ProShops, 1133 N. Dobson (Loop 202 and Dobson).  The theme of the third annual event is “Family Disaster Planning,” and will feature seminars, displays and entertainment focusing on the theme.

National Emergency Preparedness 2008 is part of National Preparedness Month, created by a Presidential mandate following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina to help citizens become better prepared for disasters.  ”We know during large scale disasters, there may not be enough government resources to assist everyone, even those in serious need,” Mesa Emergency Management Deputy Chief Shanon Cluff said.  ”This event allows us to help prepare your family about what to do if disaster strikes.”

More than 25 agencies, including Mesa Fire, Mesa Police and Mesa Utilities, are participating in National Emergency Preparedness 2008 with displays outside and inside Bass ProShops. The displays will include a variety of emergency disaster vehicles and apparatus, including helicopters, an emergency command van, fire trucks, mass decontamination equipment semi-trailer, bomb squad, SWAT Team truck and Army humvees.  The event also features free community preparedness seminars, including Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness for Kids and Basic First Aid.

At noon, there will be a flag raising ceremony inside Bass Pro Shops.  The Mesa Fire and Police Bag Pipers and Honor Guard will lead the ceremony.  Mesa Mayor Scott Smith will talk about the importance of family disaster planning.  Mesa Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh will introduce members of the Citizens Corps and discuss the importance of citizen volunteer groups during a disaster.  Mesa Councilmember Dave Richins will introduce several Block Watch captains as part of the official kickoff for GAIN (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods), which is being held Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout Mesa.

There will be plenty of children’s activities, family entertainment and free prizes.  One of the exhibits will offer free fingerprinting for kids. One of the most popular attractions will, undoubtedly, be a 6,000 gallon kid’s catch and release fish tank. There will also be appearances by several very popular mascots, including McGruff the Crime Dog and Smokey Bear.

National Emergency Preparedness 2008 is hosted by several community partners, including City of Mesa, Mesa Fire, Mesa Police, Bass ProShops, Mesa Riverview, Mesa Public Schools, SRP, Banner Desert Medical Center and Toyota of Mesa Riverview.

For more information, contact Mesa Fire at 480-644-2101, extension 5163, or visit www.cityofmesa.org.