First Preparedness Day hits far above expectations

PLAINS – Residents from Sanders and Mineral Counties gathered in Plains, Saturday, for a series of presentations during Emergency Preparedness Day.

The event was put on by the Sanders and Mineral County Tea Party and Senator Jennifer Fielder as a way of spreading information on important survival and safety tips. Among the presenters were discussions about first aid, keeping a vehicle well stocked with survival supplies, fire arm safety and similar topics. 

“If we’re prepared to take care of ourselves in a time of crisis, we can better take care of our family and others in need,” said Fielder. “If we are the people who are able to help others, and there are more of us in a community, the community’s going to be better off.”

She recalled the fires that have recently struck the area and how some of the worst ones did not need much assistance during evacuations because the neighbors were helping each other. 

At the end of the day, they held a town hall discussion to find out what the attendees wanted to learn more about. The organizers are considering whether they will make Preparedness Day a recurring event; with what was discussed in the town hall, they may add or remove presentations in future events. 

“There’s nobody in here who knows everything about all of these topics,” said Fielder. “There’s so much to know about each one and you might think you’re doing pretty well on a topic, but then when you talk to somebody who’s a specialist in that topic you realize [how much you can still learn.]”

If they do, it is likely they will look for a bigger venue. The VFW hall was packed to capacity with this event.

At present, they are hoping to do events annually; they are still unsure if any more this year will take place. 

Fielder noted there is a good sense of security in knowing how to take care of a situation. She said it helps a person better protect themselves and their family as well as making them more able to help those around them.

“The idea of what do you have on hand that can help you get through a time of crisis, whether it’s short term … or whether it can turn into a longer situation,” Fielder said. “We cover the basics of everything from storing things all the way to growing your own food and being able to hunt and gather your own food.”

The event drew in much more interest than the organizers were expecting. Fielder said they were expecting maybe as many as 50 people from the two counties, but approximately 150 registered. They even had to turn a number of people who wanted to attend away.

They also attracted people from across the state and even from Idaho. The majority were from Sanders and Mineral County though.