By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster resident Renee Crook is looking to give locals several tips on getting ready for a potential disaster ahead of time during a community preparedness fair at Buck’s Pizza off Alabama 119.

During the event, Crook, who has been promoting her tornado safety helmet program for years, and other fair organizers will present several hands-on booths aimed at making residents safer in emergency situations.

The event will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 27 in the parking lot of Buck’s Pizza, which is at 251 Buck Creek Plaza.

Crook, who previously organized “National Night Out” events at Alabaster’s Target store, said she is hoping the event will benefit from the city of Alabaster’s Fall Festival, which will be held the same morning on the Buck Creek Trail.

During the event, organizers will be displaying tornado safety helmets, explaining how to set up and use a weather radio “and not relying on outdoor sirens,” featuring the county’s Yellow Dot program and sharing emergency preparedness tips.

Organizers also will have an emergency safe room on site for visitors to view, and the Alabaster Fire Department will be making presentations, Crook said.

Toomers for Tuscaloosa, the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, Brooklere Pharmacy, Alabama First Response Radio, Farmers Insurance – Mittie Brown agency and several other organizations will also participate in the fair.