A disaster is a matter not of if, but when – and preparedness is the key to survival.

The fifth annual East County Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood.

Among the activities featured at the fair are child fingerprinting, earthquake safety, Dutch oven cooking and a free barbecue lunch (while supply lasts).

Specialists present at the fair include American Medical Response; Contra Costa County Search & Rescue; U.S. Coast Guard; CalStar (the helicopter arrives at noon); CERT; the police departments of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg; Neighborhood Watch; the school districts of Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley; American Red Cross; PG&E; Kaiser Permanente; Brentwood Rotary Club; the Contra Costa County health and animal services; Lowe’s stores; and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

For more information, call Lynette LaFollette at 925-813-8048 or e-mail lynettelaf@gmail.com, or call Annette Beckstrand at 925-437-4963 or e-mail annette.beckstrand@comcast.net.