Most of us don’t spend our days thinking about earthquakes, winter storms, or extended power outages (and that’s probably a good thing). But when emergencies do happen, the people who fare the best are often those who took just a little time to prepare beforehand.
As both a Tigard City Councilor and a volunteer with our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), I’ve learned that preparedness isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about caring for your family, looking out for your neighbors, and knowing what to do when life throws us an unexpected challenge. The willingness of neighbors to help one another is one of our greatest strengths as a community here in Tigard.
That’s why I invite you and your family to join us at Cook Family Park on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for our Community Preparedness Fair. This free event is designed to make emergency preparedness engaging, practical, and fun for all ages.
Emergencies rarely arrive with advance notice. Whether it’s a major earthquake, severe weather, an extended power outage, or another unexpected event, the time to prepare is before we need those skills. Preparing isn’t about living in fear, but rather about giving ourselves, our families, and our neighbors the confidence to face whatever tomorrow may bring.
Our CERT volunteers will be sharing practical, hands-on information you can use right away. You can learn about Map Your Neighborhood, a program that helps neighbors work together after a disaster when professional responders may be overwhelmed. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice Hands-Only CPR, see how amateur (ham) radio operators provide vital communication during emergencies, and pick up simple tips for building emergency kits, making family communication plans, and becoming more prepared at home.
Of course, no preparedness event would be complete without practical tips for building emergency kits, creating family communication plans, and taking small steps that make a big difference during an emergency. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refresh your preparedness knowledge, there’s something for everyone.
Preparedness isn’t something we accomplish in a single afternoon. It’s a mindset, built one small step at a time. Every emergency kit assembled, every family conversation held, every new skill learned, and every neighbor who becomes better prepared makes our entire community stronger.
I hope you’ll stop by, bring your family, invite a neighbor, and spend some time with us. You will gain new skills, a little more confidence, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re better prepared for whatever the future holds.
Tigard CERT Inc. is a local non-profit organization allied with the City of Tigard that trains volunteers in basic emergency response and organizational skills following the Federal Emergency Management Agency model and guidelines for local Community Emergency Response Teams. For more information about Tigard CERT, please visit www.tigard-or.gov/your-government/departments/public-works/emergency-management.
Community Preparedness Fair
When: Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Cook Family Park
Cost: Free!
