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The Hays County Office of Emergency Services, in partnership with the City of Kyle, will host the 9th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at La Verde Park in Kyle.
"This fair is one of our most important outreach events of the year," said Mike Jones, director of the Hays County Office of Emergency Services. "Our goal is to give residents the tools, skills and confidence to handle emergencies of all kinds. Prepared communities are resilient communities."
The free, family-friendly event will bring together emergency responders, community partners and local vendors to help residents prepare for natural and man-made disasters. Attendees can participate in hands-on training, view safety demonstrations, access preparedness resources, enjoy food and live entertainment, enter raffles and attend the Top Dawg Chili Cook-Off.
Jones said the event also gives residents an opportunity to meet local first responders and learn about the resources available during emergencies.
"It's not just about learning preparedness skills — it's about meeting the first responders who work every day to keep our county safe," Jones said. "This fair gives families a chance to interact with the teams, equipment and resources that support our community during critical moments."
Safety demonstrations will include Stop the Bleed training, hands-only CPR, fire extinguisher training using the P.A.S.S. method, recognizing heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and building a personalized emergency go-kit.
Emergency vehicles and equipment will be on display throughout the day, allowing visitors to explore fire engines and rescue units and speak directly with first responders.
Participating organizations will include the Kyle Police Department, San Marcos-Hays County EMS, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other preparedness partners.
The Top Dawg Chili Cook-Off returns for its fourth year and is open to the public. For a $20 donation, attendees can sample chili from competing teams and vote for their favorite entry. Proceeds will benefit the Hays County Fire Chiefs Association, supporting firefighter training and replacing equipment lost during wildfire responses.
"Come enjoy great chili while helping fund critical tools and training for our fire departments," Jones said. "This year's fair is bigger, more interactive and designed for the whole community."
For more information, visit www.haysinformed.com/preparednessfair or follow the event on Facebook.
