First disaster preparedness fair in GH draws crowd

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Hugh McMillan, KP News

Dave Watson, President of the Peninsula Emergency Preparedness Committee (PEPC), counsels Key Peninsula residents Karlee, Kari, and Matt Wilkinson of Key Peninsula on the importance of having an adequate backup supply of potable water to meet the needs of families in emergencies. Photo by Hugh McMillan, KP News.

The first Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Disaster Preparedness Fair at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church provided visitors with a wealth of information on the subject.

It was well-attended and played host to an unending stream of interested visitors from its 10 a.m. opening until past clean up time at 3 p.m.

Don Lee, a retired Gig Harbor Fire official, was the prime organizer of over 50 participating organizations including law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel, health services, the Peninsula School District, military units, radio communications operations, local hospital and medical service providers, churches, Boy Scouts, the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and a plethora of other concerned entities.

“We’re really happy with the turnout,” said Lee, “particularly when you consider this is our first time to put this together. Next year should be even better.”

Classes conducted by experts in various emergencies disciplines were offered throughout the day for anyone wising to participate; subjects included Before the Earth Moves, Disaster Experience, Food and Water Management, First Aid/CPR, Communications Lifeline: Hamming During Disasters, Electrical Safety, and Personal Responsibility During Disasters by Tom Miner drawing on his personal experiences in a vast number of disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing, earthquakes in Mexico and elsewhere, and Hurricane Katrina among others.

A high point of the day was a memorial tribute to emergency workers and those who perished on 9/11.


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