Utah County residents have had their attention riveted on local evacuations due to wildfires, as well as witnessing devastation from Hurricane Florence thousands of miles away. These natural emergencies highlight the need to be prepared for disasters, the theme of the Emergency Preparedness Fair to be held Monday, Sept. 24, at the UCCU Center.
The event, which begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., will feature turning the UCCU Center into a staged major disaster shelter, much like shelters being offered families in hurricane-ravaged areas.
Chris Lindquist, an instructor in UVU’s emergency services department, said there are no predetermined locations for disaster shelters, but it is likely the UCCU would be utilized in the event of a major local disaster.
“It depends on the disaster, impact area, number of impacted people, and such, but it is definitely possible the UCCU Center would be used as a disaster shelter if the need arose,” Lindquist said. “It is imperative for people to be ready for all kinds of life disruptions. What people will be walking through, seeing what shelters are like, real people will be in shelters just like this. This isn’t just a drill, this is reality for many of our fellow citizens.”
Lindquist said the event will offer valuable information for all, along with free dinner to the first 1,200 participants. He suggests parents use the event to educate their families about disaster response.
“People will enter a real shelter experience,” he said. “They’ll be able to go through an informative, informal shelter tour that lasts only five to 10 minutes. There will be lots of opportunity to ask questions of disaster responders who have been to a wide variety of incidents throughout the world. There is a preparedness fair with great vendors present to learn from, get additional information, and purchase supplies. There will also be emergency apparatuses such as ambulance and fire trucks for people to visit and tour.”
Visitors can register in advance and get more information at bit.ly/disaster-shelter-tour. The UCCU Center is located on College Drive, just off of 800 West University Parkway, near Interstate 15. The event is co-sponsored by UVU and the American Red Cross chapters in Utah.
Lindquist said, “This simulation is a great opportunity for disaster volunteers to sharpen their skills and for community members to experience what a shelter is like, and for collaboration of public, private, and volunteer entities to be seen in full force.”
About Utah Valley University
At 37,282 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.