Cert to host fifth annual preparedness fair

On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will host the 5th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair and Safety Saturday.

According to a CERT press release, the preparedness fair is held in September as part of National Preparedness Month. The fair "is designed to raise awareness about home safety and individual emergency preparedness," the release stated.

The event will be held at the Enterprise Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme for this year's preparedness fair is "Honoring Our First Responders."

Vendor displays and demonstrations will provide community members opportunities to learn how to increase safety and preparedness in the home, in businesses and community.

First responder vehicles and displays will also be on site during the fair. These displays will include the bomb squad, search and rescue helicopters, the Red Cross and more.

For the second year, the "Arrive Alive Tour" will be showing community members the effects of texting and driving or drinking and driving.

Visitors to the event can receive free literature on preparedness, including how to supply an emergency kit and having a family communications plan.

Future training classes for CPR, first aid and storm spotting classes will also be announced during the event.

A poster contest will be held for children in grades 1-6 who live in Coffee County. To enter, the poster must be no larger than 11x14 in., should be drawn on a poster illustration board or heavy paper, and must be created using crayons, magic markers or colored pencils only.

Each entry must have the contestant's name, age, grade level, school name and address, and parents' names and contact information on the back.

The poster must reflect the theme of the event and focus on the contestant's favorite first responder.

Posters may be sent to the Coffee County EMA's office at 1065 East McKinnon Street, 8 County Complex, New Brockton, Ala., 36351. The final day for accepting a poster is Sept. 9.