Session focuses on disaster planning

LAST Saturday local emergency services personnel and multicultural leaders gathered at Barkly Square for the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council’s, or BMRC’s, emergency planning for the community event.

The biannual event aimed to help the community prepare for emergencies, particularly ahead of a hot summer.

More than 40 people from local multicultural communities were joined by members of Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria, State Emergency Service, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, WRISC, Red Cross, City of Ballarat, and Dept of Health were in attendance.

Acting Sergeant Sean Almeida said the day provided an open dialogue between multicultural communities and the Victoria Police.

“It’s for a better understanding of the challenges that not only we face but also the threats that they face and how we can mitigate that risk by being more understanding and cooperating,” he said.

“It also provides a better understanding of what emergency services do and shows them to trust the system and trust that we have their best interests at heart.”

Ershadul Haque is a member of Bangladeshi community in Ballarat and said it was important for him to attend this session.

“I always try to get connected with BRMC and we are a growing community in Ballarat and we have so many new residents,” he said.

“This is our responsibility as a multicultural leader to convey this information to members because if we don’t convey this, they will probably not get the support.”

Mr Haque said that from the event he will be able to better communicate disaster preparedness and emergency response information with his community.

“It’s a very good opportunity to give more information to the community members so that they feel more confident,” he said.

“After this session I know how to give more details to community members.”