SMOKECHASERS - A FIRST RESPONDER FAIR

The Most Important Day of Fun You'll Ever Have   

Keynote Speaker: Julia Juarez, Deputy Commissioner, CA Dept. of Insurance   

As fire season approaches, rural homeowners need to know what to do to protect their homes and families in the event of wildfire. A top concern is how to get affordable insurance. Saturday, May 21 at 1 PM, the Deputy Commissioner of California’s Department of Insurance, Julia Juarez, will answer those questions in a Keynote speech at the SmokeChasers First Responder Fair at the Amador County Fairgrounds. Entitled, “Being Safer from Wildfires Can Increase Insurance Availability and Affordability,” Juarez will highlight how homeowners can get insured when they clear their land and harden their houses; which insurance companies have committed to increasing the number of new homeowners' policies written in the state; which will stop or limit policy cancellations, and more. 

Along with many informative speakers, the brand new SmokeChasers Event will provide advice and products relating to all aspects of how to best prepare for possible wildfires – all in the festive atmosphere of an old-fashioned county fair. 

One of the “Don’t Miss” demonstrations include the Vulcan Vents’ live Ember Wash showing how houses really burn down. (It’s not how you think, but easy to prevent.)  Sign up to have large animals evacuated while you “Meet the Minis” (mini horses, goats, sheep,), see the new OES Incident Tracking website, get information about Code Red and Emergency communications, and demos of Neighborhood Radio Watch groups in action. There are demos of Sidewalk CPR, auto extrication and more. 

Also enjoy live music, great food, giveaways, games for kids, local crafted beer and wine, and even a Cigar Lounge with purveyors pouring Bourbon. Test your skills on a timed obstacle course, try a Fire Engine pull - and Dunk the Fire Chief! 

Plus fire prevention and artisan craft vendors galore and so much more. (Full program and schedule attached.) 

The two day event is Saturday May 21, 11 to 6, and Sunday May 22, 11 to 4 at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth.

The inaugural SmokeChasers First Responder Fair is supported by the Amador Community Foundation. 

By Sue Wilson