Published on September 13, 2024
Emergency Preparedness Expo is a Success
The Emergency Preparedness Expo, hosted by Owensboro Health on Friday, September 13, was a resounding success. Held in the Café Meeting Rooms Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, the event brought together a diverse group of first responders, healthcare professionals, and local agencies, all united in their mission to equip the community with critical knowledge and tools for disaster preparedness.
Led by Katie Case, Emergency Management Specialist at Owensboro Health, the expo offered attendees hands-on opportunities to learn how to stay safe in emergencies, ranging from fire, water, gas and electrical safety to wilderness survival tips and active shooter precautions.
"We always hope for the best, but we need to be prepared for the worst," Case remarked. “By having events like this, we can help our community feel confident in their ability to respond when disaster strikes."
The expo, held in recognition of National Preparedness Month, featured exhibits from a variety of local agencies, including law enforcement, medical response teams, and utility providers. Guests also toured HealthForce 1, HealthForce Kentucky's mobile technology center, and learned life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid.
In addition to the valuable information provided, attendees received a free flashlight and the chance to enter a drawing for safety-related prizes. But beyond the giveaways, the heart of the event was the knowledge shared. As Case noted, the expo highlighted the importance of not only learning how to protect oneself but also discovering volunteer opportunities to help others in times of need. “It’s not if a disaster will happen—it’s when,” Case explained. “We want people to be ready to help their neighbors and their community as well as themselves.”
A significant highlight of the day was the wide range of community partnerships on display. From search and rescue teams to organizations focused on chronic health prevention, the expo demonstrated the collective strength of Owensboro’s emergency response network. "We had such a diverse group of people here representing different organizations and professions, but we all came together with one purpose: to educate our community," Case shared.
Owensboro Health remains deeply committed to the well-being of its community, and the Emergency Preparedness Expo is just one example of its dedication. As a leader in healthcare and public health education, Owensboro Health continues to build healthier communities through expert care and impactful outreach initiatives.
Together, Owensboro Health and its partners are working to ensure that our community is ready when disaster strikes. Plans for next year's expo are already underway, promising even more opportunities to learn, engage and prepare.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.