ODESSA, Texas —
At the annual Emergency Preparedness Fair held Saturday, you learn about what to do in all sorts of emergencies. From things like learning how to bake your own bread or can your own food to getting a CPR certification or what to do during an active shooter situation.
Hal Mead, President of the Odessa Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told NewsWest 9, "we believe that God said that if you are prepared, you shall not fear, and so that's why it’s important for us to be prepared in every way possible."
"You never know when a disaster is going to strike, or an emergency is going to show up in front of you. And the more you're prepared, you're going to be able to help your family and also help you know your neighbor and lend a hand,” he said.
You don’t have to live near the coast or near a common path for tornadoes for disaster to strike.
It can come out of nowhere even out here in West Texas.
“Just recently we saw floods here in Odessa, even in the area, and some members of our church and community were affected by those things, not something you would think would ever happen here. But it does. Things happen and it pays to be ready, and it pays to be prepared to help be able to help your neighbor,” Meadn said.
The turnout and cooperation for events like this shows how much the community cares for each other.
“I am very grateful for to live in a community that has this type of excitement around these things that was willing to help each other out and that thinks about the future,” Mead said.