Michele McMahon, emergency preparedness healthcare liaison for the department, mans the information table during the Get Ready Gwinnett! event.

The third annual Get Ready Gwinnett! Emergency Preparedness Seminar and Resource Fair was Sept. 15. The event is hosted by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services Emergency Preparedness Committee, in partnership with the Gwinnett County Health Department, Gwinnett Health and Human Services Department, and the Gwinnett Office of Emergency Management.

"The Health Department is delighted to be a part of this event. One of the goals of our Emergency Preparedness Team is to reach everyone in our community with the message of preparedness," said Michele McMahon, emergency preparedness healthcare liaison for the department. "Participating in events such as Get Ready Gwinnett! is one way that helps us meet this goal."

This year the fair was on the campus of Annandale Village, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to serving adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. Annandale Village is a founding member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee.

The day began at 9 a.m., with 70 people attending the presentations. Presenters included Mary Olsen with FEMA, Dr. Jeanette Samaritan with RSVP, Dr. Sybil L. Ingram from the National Family Caregivers Association, Nancy Duncan with Disability Resource Group and Jim McIntosh from the Gwinnett Emergency Management Agency. They spoke on topics including Disaster Preparedness for Caregivers and Planning for the Whole Community.

After a networking lunch, participants were able to attend an emergency preparedness resource fair featuring 20 exhibitors including FEMA, GEMA, Shephard Spinal Center, Viewpoint Health, the American Red Cross and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. Multiple county organizations were also represented.

The health department had a table at the resource fair, providing preparedness information in English, Spanish and Braille. Brochures covered topics ranging from what to put in an emergency "go" kit to items needed for sheltering in place during an emergency. A brochure for vulnerable populations provided information specifically geared towards answering questions about Transportation, Information, Personal Emergency Plans and Shelters (TIPS).

-Story by Karen Shields, public information officer, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Department