MADISON – Organizers of an upcoming event want residents to be ‘ready’ in every sense of the word.

The City of Madison will hold ReadyFest, its annual preparedness event, on Feb. 24 at Discovery Middle School, 1304 Hughes Road. Demonstrations and exhibits will open at 9 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m.

The program centers on Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA Community Lifelines, including safety and security; food, water and shelter; health and medical; energy; communications; and transportation.

“We’ve been impacted since 2019 with the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, the weeklong ice event that our city experienced. It’s critically important for our families to be prepared should we have an areawide weather event or a personal family event in which we need to work through a situation that may seem overwhelming,” Maura Wroblewski said.

Wroblewski represents District 1 on Madison City Council and serves as council’s liaison to ReadyFest.

“We have wonderful community resources to share information to be prepared in any event,” Wroblewski said. “ReadyFest is an opportunity for everyone in our community, from the youngest to the oldest.”

“ReadyFest is a great opportunity to raise awareness of resources available in our own backyard, as well as build a sense of optimism and community for Madison residents. We hope patrons walk away with knowledge and security for possible emergency situations,” Steve Perry said. Perry is Special Operations Chief for Madison Fire and Rescue Department.

A few displays at ReadyFest will serve to foster ideas to assist individuals and families in their preparedness endeavors. “Virtual Reality equipment from Madison Fire will teach folks how to escape a burning building. We hope to have the SARTEC K9 unit (all-volunteer unit with dogs trained for land and water searches) on-hand to provide a demonstration,” Wroblewski said.

Officers in Madison Police Department will discuss opportunities for women to sign up for Rape Aggression Defense or RAD classes. Police personnel will discuss personal, family and neighborhood security.

Public Works Department employees will display their latest winter-weather heavy equipment. Madison and Limestone County EMAs will have a Mobile Command Trailer on display.

Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will be available for health screenings, and local mental health therapists will discuss mental health topics. Sports teams from Discovery Middle School will sell concessions; food trucks are scheduled for lunch options.

“There will be something for everyone. Please mark your calendar and help to prepare your family for whatever life throws at them,” Wroblewski said.

ReadyFest is held intentionally on the last Saturday in February to coincide with Alabama’s Weather Preparedness Weekend.