Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the start of summer as the start of a conversation about being aware of and prepared for seasonal hazards.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott recently joined with representatives of frontline emergency service organisations to highlight the multiple hazards communities across NSW face and encourage them to Get Ready for summer.
“Aussie summers are iconic. They can also be tragic,” CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said.
“Fire season started early this year and we’ve already witnessed its devastating impacts in areas across NSW, particularly in Northern NSW and along the Mid-North Coast.
“But bush fire isn’t the only threat. Each year, communities across NSW experience bush fires, home fires, floods, storms, heatwaves, power outages and other emergencies.
“The start of summer should be the start of a conversation around being prepared for the multiple hazards communities across NSW face.
“As the state braces for severe weather conditions throughout summer, it’s important to remember our emergency service organisations do an incredible job keeping us safe, but they can only do so much.
“Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home or away on holidays.”
Get Ready for summer now in five simple steps:
- Know your risk – think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;
- Plan now for what you will do – sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area;
- Get your home ready – prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;
- Be aware – find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area and connect with NSW emergency services to stay informed;
- Look out for each other – share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.
Get Ready is a community preparedness program coordinated by the NSW Office for Emergency Management. Find out more at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/getready.
–END-
