Wānaka residents can meet their local emergency responders, explore vehicles and equipment up close, and pick up useful tips to be better prepared for an emergency at GET READY Wānaka, a free, family-friendly event this Saturday (February 28).

Attendees will have the chance to connect with the Wānaka Volunteer Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John, Coastguard, Wānaka Search and Rescue (LandSAR), and Emergency Management Otago (EMO).

The emergency preparedness expo, which will take place at Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka from 10am-2pm, is taking place for the second year in a row with the goal of spreading emergency preparedness awareness in the community.

It is organised by the Wānaka Community Resilience Group (WCRG), a group of 80 residents who will be the “eyes, ears and feet” for emergency responders in the event of an emergency.

The WCRG will have its newly completed bespoke emergency trailer - designed to serve as a mobile operations base - on-site at Saturday’s event.

The trailer will allow the WCRG to go wherever they are most needed when an emergency occurs, a WCRG spokesperson told the Wānaka App.

One of the WCRG’s other key goals is to help improve emergency preparedness among the community, as the better prepared the local community is - on an individual, household and community-wide level - the less reliant it will be on emergency services and food demands.

The WCRG spokesperson said attendees at last year’s expo said they left feeling like they had a much better understanding of the unique risks in Wānaka, how to get prepared at home, and what to do in the event of a natural disaster.

Saturday’s expo will feature presentations by the first responders, from 11am and 1pm, where they will explain their roles in an emergency.

Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka will also showcase practical items for grab-and-go emergency kits, with simple guidance on what’s useful to have at home and how to get started.

A community BBQ, supported by New World Three Parks and the Rotary Club of Wānaka, will also be available, along with the Mr Whippy ice cream van.

Head along to the free GET READY Wānaka event on Saturday February 28 between 10am and 2pm.

PHOTO: Supplied