Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Emergency Management invites residents to attend the first annual “Alachua County Prepares Festival” on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Northwest Baptist Church (5514 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville). The event is free and features over 20 community partners.

Activities for adults and children of all ages will be available including:

• Learning how to spot severe weather with the National Weather Service from Jacksonville
• Taking a tour of several different response vehicles including fire and law enforcement
• Meeting Smokey Bear
• Fire extinguisher training
• Hands-on CPR training

Alachua County Emergency Management Director David Donnelly stated, “We have been looking for the right opportunity to involve our whole community in an event that merges education and fun.” He continued, “With the beginning of El Nino, we want to make sure that as many Alachua County residents as possible are informed and prepared for all types of disasters. I think the agencies and community partners we have participating in the Festival will make it a memorable event for both children and their parents.”

Visit the Alachua County Prepares Festival website.

Visit the Alachua County Prepares Festival Facebook event.

For more information, contact David Donnelly at 352-264-6500 or dad@alachuacounty.us.