Preparing for the worst, Sisters holds special fair

To better prepare Central Oregon for a major disaster, a group in Sisters is holding a disaster preparedness fair this weekend.

The group came together and began planning a year ago. They say they began to look at the infrastructure and realized with the South Sister “bulge” (a small but noticeable uplift, found by satellite), the snowstorm of the century and the apparently inevitable subduction zone earthquake off the coast, they want residents to be prepared.

“We started to realize that the residents of Sisters Country not only needed to rely on one an other, but to really have emergency plans for themselves and their family and in the event of an emergency to shelter in place. That’s an important part,” Jack McGowan, one of the event organizers, said Friday.

More than 40 booths will be on hand to show you how to be ready in case of a major emergency. Organizers say you will be able to pick up information and attend seminars to learn more about disaster preparedness.

Organizers say the Pole Creek Fire only emphasizes the importance of being prepared. They say it’s not just for Sisters-area residents, but everyone in Central Oregon.

“The more we can get residents of Central Oregon to be prepared for any eventuality that might befall us, the better we are going to be in the outcome, the more we can protect ourselves and each other,” said McGowan.

Pole Creek Fire officials also will have a booth at the event and will be updating attendees on the progress of the fire.

The event is free on Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Sisters Elementary School.