Hundreds of community members attended an emergency preparedness fair Saturday in the Reading area, where local agencies and organizations offered hands-on activities and information aimed at helping residents prepare for emergencies.
The free community event was hosted by the Reading Pennsylvania Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and featured 25 booths covering a range of emergency preparedness topics.
Representatives from the Muhlenberg Township Authority, Muhlenberg EMS, TowerDIRECT, Berks County Emergency Services, Nature Nurture Center and Muhlenberg Township Police Department participated in the four-hour event, answering questions and providing information about their roles during emergencies.
Activities and demonstrations covered first aid, 72-hour emergency kits, vehicle emergency kits, pet safety, insurance, emergency budgeting and planning, water filtration, alternative power sources and emergency communication.
Attendees also learned about storing a three-month food supply, shutting off water, emotional resilience, small-space gardening, Dutch oven cooking and the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Other demonstrations included flooding preparedness and how to make an emergency bucket toilet.
Hands-on activities included a sandbag-filling race and a fire safety obstacle course.
“The 25 booths provided comprehensive information on how to prepare for any emergency,” Emergency Preparedness Fair Committee Chair Shawn Borup said. “Keeping our families safe and having essentials for daily life gives peace of mind when the unexpected happens.”
A free hot dog lunch was provided during the event, along with cotton candy and popcorn.
Organizers said preparations are expected to continue with another free Community Emergency Preparedness Fair planned for 2027.
