The "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair," an event for the dissemination and awareness of disaster prevention, will be held at Mizushima Central Park on November 23, 2023 (Thursday, holiday).
Following the event held in the fiscal year 2022, it is designed for everyone from adults to children to participate easily and enjoyably. In fiscal year 2023, the "experience" programs are said to be enhanced.
Let me introduce the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair."
What is the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"
The "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair" is a disaster prevention dissemination and awareness event organized by Kurashiki City.
It will be held on November 23, 2023 (Thursday, holiday) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Mizushima Central Park.
The event will feature many activities centered around experience booths, divided into three areas: the lawn area, baseball field area, and fire department area.
- Stage events
- Rescue training
- Booth exhibitions
- Collection of working vehicles
- Fun lottery
- Food trucks
Booth Exhibitions
There will be 49 booths mainly from companies and organizations that have signed disaster prevention agreements with Kurashiki City.
In fiscal year 2023, the focus is on "experience," and it is said that disaster prevention workshops are abundant.
In addition, popular vehicles for children, such as police cars and fire trucks, as well as Self-Defense Force vehicles, high-altitude work vehicles, and other working vehicles that are not usually seen up close will also be gathered.
Event Programs
In addition to stage events such as music bands and puppet shows, there will also be rescue training conducted by the fire department and police, and the Self-Defense Force will provide pork miso soup.
I thought it was rare for the Self-Defense Force to provide meals, but it seems that the purpose is to raise awareness of what public institutions do in disaster support situations.
I spoke with Masanao Takenami from the Disaster Management Office, Disaster Prevention Promotion Division of Kurashiki City, who is planning and managing the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair."
Interview with Masanao Takenami, Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office, Disaster Prevention Promotion Division
Can you tell us about the background of the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"?
Takenami (no honorifics)
Every autumn, Kurashiki City has been conducting a "comprehensive disaster drill" where city staff, local residents, companies, and cooperating organizations work together to carry out evacuation drills and evacuation center management training.
This is a common concern in many regions, but fortunately, those who serve as local officials or have a strong interest in disaster prevention participate in the training every year.
On the other hand, it has been challenging to get those with low interest in disaster prevention, especially families, to participate, which has been a concern.
Therefore, starting last year (2022), to address this issue, we planned the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair," where people can enjoy and engage with disaster prevention without the complexities, aiming to broaden the base of disaster prevention activities.
What do you want participants to feel?
Takenami
In disaster activities, there is a basic concept of "self-help, mutual aid, and public assistance," and what I particularly want everyone who visits the Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair to feel is about self-help.
It would be great if Kurashiki City could help each resident when a disaster occurs, but in reality, that is impossible.
Therefore, I hope that each person can consider what they can do to prepare for disasters and what might happen to themselves, their families, and their loved ones when a disaster occurs, not by stretching themselves too far, but at their own level.
Please give a message to the readers.
Takenami
This year, the event will be held at Mizushima Central Park, and we are preparing not only for a larger scale compared to last year (2022) but also for 200% more fun and surprises (according to Kurashiki City).
First of all, I hope you can feel "It might be fun!" "It might be delicious!" "It might be beneficial!" from the Kurashiki City website, pamphlets, and social media as a reason to attend the event.
And at the venue, in addition to that, I hope you will connect with "I see!" "I didn't know that!" and "I want to try it too."
We have made it an event that anyone from small children to the elderly can participate in, so please come to Mizushima Central Park on November 23 (Thursday, holiday).
We are looking forward to seeing you!!
Conclusion
Kurashiki City was affected by the "July 2018 Heavy Rain (Western Japan Floods)."
To be honest, I realized for the first time during that time that "disasters can occur even in familiar places." Since then, I have been purchasing emergency supplies and checking the locations of evacuation centers, but it is also true that my awareness has gradually faded.
As a place to reconsider "disaster prevention," why not visit the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"?
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Data of the 2023 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair
| Name | 2023 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
|---|---|
| Date | November 23, 2023 (Thursday, holiday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | Mizushima Central Park |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Free |
| Homepage | Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
