In the lead-up to the coming bushfire and storm season, this September Central Coast Council is hosting a series of webinars and promoting events to empower the community to take proactive steps to better prepare themselves, their families, and their homes for emergencies.

Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said preparing for emergencies is important and a shared responsibility. Council works hand in hand with lead emergency agencies to share knowledge and resources to help our local communities prepare for floods, bush fires and other natural disasters.

“We know a connected community is a resilient community - in the last three years, NSW has been impacted by multiple natural hazards and research has shown that the communities that are connected and help each other to prepare and respond in an emergency are more likely to recover quicker and be more resilient,” Ms Smith said.

“We are dedicated to fostering resilience and in partnership with various local emergency agencies, services and organisations we are hosting a series of free webinars from 5-25 September. These webinars will cover seven important topics including:
•    preparing for storms and extreme weather
•    planning for emergencies for landholders and livestock owners
•    helping young children prepare for emergencies
•    emergency preparedness when you care for others
•    preparedness and emergency planning for seniors
•    preparing for the bushfire season and 
•    preparing for heatwaves

“I strongly urge the community to register their attendance to these webinars and prepare for the upcoming season. Regardless of whether you have recently moved to the Central Coast or have been in the same house for decades – now is the time to understand your current risks and create an up-to-date plan.”

In addition to the webinar series, NSW RFS Get Ready Weekend is from 16-17 September. A number of Central Coast NSW Brigades will be out in the community holding events and opening stations to support with planning advice and tips to get properties ready.

Preparedness does not stop there, Council is also promoting Red Cross Emergency Ready Week (18-24 September) and the ‘Get Prepared’ app. The app serves as a valuable resource, providing information on disaster preparedness and access to a digital Rediplan.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said Council is invested in working with the community to build a more resilient region, especially with an anticipated dry season ahead.

“We encourage the community to continue building personal resilience towards emergency events and disasters, which we know are difficult to predict or control,” Mr Hart said.

“While emergencies and disasters are difficult to predict or control, our ability to adapt and respond to these experiences is something that we, as individuals and as a community, can actively work to develop. By sharing preparedness information this September, we hope the community will feel prepared when facing an emergency event."

Council’s website outlines the 5 steps to Get Ready to help the Central Coast community know their risk, plan now for what they will do, prepare their home or business premises, and connect with their community to look out for each other.

For information on preparedness and resilience and to register attendance to a webinar, search ‘Get ready’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.