Free Emergency Preparedness Fair This Saturday

Curious about what your local law enforcement agency does to prepare for disaster?

A local nonprofit will host its 5th annual San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair to show the public how local police departments and other public safety agencies brace for the worst-case scenario.

Held by the San Ramon Valley Citizens Corps Council, the free event takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Church of Latter Day Saints, 655 Old Orchard Road in Danville.

Several county, city and federal agencies will put on demonstrations and workshops, including the Walnut Creek bomb squad, the San Ramon Valley fire decontamination unit and the Second Military Brigade from Camp Parks. Attendees will get to see a "Jaws of Life" demo, a presentation by the San Ramon Police Department's canine team and a display from the U.S. Army's critical response unit.

The point is to let residents know that their local law enforcement is prepared.

"This event is all about families and personal preparedness," said San Ramon police spokesman Lt. Dan Pratt.

Anyone is welcome to bring their child's car seat between 9 a.m. and noon to get an expert to make sure it's safe. Fair-goers can learn how to make their home more earthquake-proof or have firefighters teach their kids how to deal with a house fire.

Bring your rechargeable fire extinguisher to have it serviced or eget your child fingerprinted and participate in a "stranger danger" class, where they'll learn the importance of personal safety.

Organizers aren't about to exclude your four-legged friends. The fair will feature free classes on first-aid for your pets, led by the Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, which will offer shots and microchip implants for cats and dogs at a discount.

Also open to anyone will be workshops on how to deal with someone having a heart attack, how to give CPR or how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

The first 200 families between 9 a.m. and noon who finish an emergency preparedness BINGO game will win a free emergency kit gift. Local firefighters and police departments will have on hand some fire engines and cop cars for the public to examine, if they want to learn more about how they work.

• The fair is sponsored by the City of San Ramon, the Town of Danville, the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and the Church of Latter Day Saints. For more information, visit www.bereadysrv.org.