Over the weekend, the Oneida County Event Center hosted the second annual Emergency Preparedness Fair, which was the place to be for information about a variety of emergency preparation and health and safety topics, as well as a number of useful demonstrations.  

This year’s event saw an even larger turnout than last year’s, with scores of visitors at the numerous booths, tables, and presentations that filled the building on Saturday.  A number of local and regional individuals, groups and organizations like the Southeastern Idaho Public Health District joined familiar local faces to provide a range of information on all manner of topics related to the concept of emergency preparedness.  From practical demonstrations of First Aid and emergency response techniques from Oneida County EMTs to the spiritual preparedness advocated by Pastor Jack Harwell, to amateur radio setups, and a variety of cultivation, canning, storage and food preparation booths, the Fair had a great deal of interesting and useful information. 

Over the course of the event, visitors made their way in an out of the conference room where a series of presentations were made.  An overview of water purification information and products was very well-attended, with a lot of questions from visitors about the specifics of keeping a sterile water supply.  Proper use of storage containers and water purification practices was of great interest to attendees.  As presenter Connie Getz reminded the audience, there are a lot of things you can make do without, but clean water is not one of them. 

Members of the Oneida County EMS crew gave a presentation on first aid strategies for stopping bleeding while waiting for emergency workers to arrive, as well as a number of other critical first aid and immediate response issues that it is always good to be up to speed on.  Hypothermia, heat stroke, abrasions, and the Boy Scout manual staples joined newer first aid issues like opioid overdose response as essential areas of knowledge.  The application of tourniquets for controlling emergency bleeding was demonstrated by the Trissa Nesbit, Candy Broadus, and Bayli Nesbit.  Once again, there were a lot of questions from the audience, and there was a lot of information shared.  

Larry Oja demonstrated techniques for using a downspout for hydroponics, as well as microgreens.

 Matt Johnson took attendees through an explanation of the basics of keeping a car ready for emergencies, and outfitted with the materials needed for the unexpected.

Throughout the Event Center hall, as well as the front and rear entrances, demonstrations and information on a wide range of topics could be found.  

Bryan Kerr demonstrated some of the canning equipment that can be used to store food long term, using metal cans and a lid press.  The Malad stake owns a number 10 canner that can be used by the public.  “If you are in the county, you can get ahold of the stake and use this for a ward activity.  We’re trying to get the stake to go out and buy come of these cans and divvy them out to the wards to pay back.”  Being able to buy the storage cans in bulk would reduce the cost from over eight dollars to just over two.  According to Kerr, if done properly the canning process will keep food for up to twenty-five years.  Mylar bags were also demonstrated, with the same potential longevity.

Larry Oja explained a downspout device for watering plants efficiently, as well as some of what is involved in growing and caring for microgreens. 

Robyn Gamble, who had a number of home remedies and forage items that are locally sourced, like licorice root, bee balm, pine sap salve, ginger honey, and more.  “The ginger honey is good for you, but I just like to eat it because it tastes good!” Gamble said.   

Patty Carter presented various ways to cook healthy dishes based on an organization method for spices that creates easy balance.  Carter prepared the soup that people kept coming back for.  Carter runs Honest Ranches food trailer from out of the Woodruff area. 

Brian Jeppsen showed a range of emergency kits for various lengths of time.

Brian Jeppsen presented a range of kits, from the “go bag” to the “72 hour kit,” each with the proper amount of essential items for the period of time in question.  “If I travel out of town, I take this with me,” Jeppsen said about the Go Bag.  “Probably the most important things it has is HAM radio communication, a flashlight, a little big of food, a bleed kit, water filtration.”  Jeppsen moved down the table of demonstration bags, highlighting some of the essential features of each, which are an excellent way to ensure that survival essentials are together in a known location.

Throughout the day, drawings were held for various prizes.  Troy Allen, and Karen and Bryan Kerr orchestrated the drawings and served as point people, along with other volunteers, for the event.