Emergency preparedness expo on March 21

Note: this event has been postponed due to the coronavirus.

Several organizations are coming together to host an emergency preparedness expo on Saturday, March 21 in Blaine.

From 1 to 3 p.m. at the Blaine Pavilion on H Street next to the senior center, the expo will teach participants how to use a fire extinguisher, apply a pressure bandage to stop bleeding, move a person who is injured, prepare emergency kits and water supplies and use emergency radios, among other skills.

The event is being hosted by the North Whatcom Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in conjunction with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, the Blaine Police Department’s Auxiliary Communications Service and the Salishan Neighborhood Association.

The goal of the expo is to share information about how to help family members and neighbors during a disaster. “Most of us are simply unprepared and lack the knowledge and skills needed to wait out a major disaster,” said one of the organizers. “We assume, incorrectly, that help will come quickly.”

They continued: “Everyone can help someone during a disaster. The preparedness expo will help you learn how you can not only help, but take care of yourself and your family as well.”