What is the first thing you need to do in the event of an emergency? Do you know? What kind of emergency will strike your home or family?

On Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 995 Taylor Road, Bracebridge will host a walk through and ask questions day. Many aspects of emergency preparedness will be covered.

Margie Fisher will be there to explain and answer questions regarding first aid. Fisher is no stranger to Muskoka. She has trained many people from clubs, schools and dental clinics to building supply companies. She has shared her knowledge with all.

“I love to teach this course,” said Fisher. “It is very rewarding when students phone me, letting me know that they were able to help someone with the training that I had given them. It really is a gift that keeps on giving.”

As the incidence of disasters and emergencies of all types and causes increases, so does the need for emergency agencies to provide help in stricken areas. Major emergencies can strike anywhere, anytime, without warning.

Often existing means of communications, be they land line telephone, cellular phone or wireless radio links, become unusable because they are overloaded or simply no longer exist. They get overloaded when too many people try at the same time to dial for help or to check on a friend or family member in a disaster area. They can become non-existent when wires and towers topple and electrical supplies fail due to acts of nature or terrorism.

When emergency agencies are required in a disaster zone, their regular means of communications can be affected by the same disruptive causes. That creates a need for a supplemental or backup communications system.

The Orillia Amateur Radio Club will be providing a table with loads of information on how to effectively communicate with the resources that can provide relief in your time of crisis.

Many more topics will be covered such as water and disease prevention, finances, what we can do with our children during a power failure, a 72-hour emergency kit and much more.

For more information contact Karen MacNaughtan at 645-8586.