Emergency Preparedness Expo draws high attendance

WASILLA — The 14th Annual Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo at the Menard Sports Center drew a large number of visitors Saturday, Sept. 24.

“I thought it was totally amazing,” Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo volunteer Nan Potts said.

According to Potts, over 1,000 visitors cycled through the expo. She said there were a lot of people that left feeling excited about safety after learning about the various local and statewide resources.

“It was very busy. It was a very, very well received event,” Potts said

This free event is designed to increase the overall safety of the public by offering a variety of information and connected resources to educate and empower visitors to properly prepare for emergency situations.

This year’s expo featured new indoor and outdoor exhibits alongside numerous other activities such as an earthquake simulator, a youth poster contest, and door prizes. The first 100 adults that walked through the door received a bag filled with free preparedness items.

There were various emergency preparedness supplies for sale, and numerous local food trucks were onsite throughout the event.

Local and statewide groups and organizations filled the facility with informational booths, readily offering information and free handouts.

There were several live demonstrations put on by helicopter rescue crews and other first responders.

Potts said that this event draws volunteers from all walks of life, including local JROTC programs and retired emergency service employees.

“It was a myriad of groups that were willing to assist the community,” Potts said.

Potts said that events like this play a very important role in the overall safety of the community, and she’s encouraged by the amount of participation it’s built up.

“I think it’s absolutely a necessity,” Potts said.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska Safe Riders, The City of Wasilla, AARP Alaska, the American Red Cross, and the Mat-Su Local Emergency Planning Committee sponsored this year’s event.

For more information on emergency preparedness and local resources, visit matsugov.us.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com