Preparedness day brings agencies together

COMMUNITY members will join emergency services at Rock Valley Hall for a free Emergency Preparedness Day to help plan for future disasters.

The Australian Red Cross is leading the event on Sunday, May 18, with a focus on developing communication strategies and community-led responses to extreme weather and emergencies.

A host of emergency services and community groups will attend, including the NSW Reconstruction Authority, SES, Local Land Services and Resilient Lismore.

Red Cross recovery and resilience officer for Lismore, Kirin Apps, said the day had been organised with support from Rock Valley residents.

It is part of the broader Community-led Resilience Teams program, developed following the devastating floods of 2022.

“We’ve been working with Rock Valley community for a little while now,” Ms Apps said.

“During Cyclone Alfred, they enacted a communication plan which helped rescue a young man who had driven into flood waters during that event.

“It was after a radio communications training program had already been held.

“They were already very passionate about building resilience within the community and that just helped solidify that they were on the right path with the networks they were building.”

Members of the RFS, NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre are also expected to attend to provide advice on topics such as evacuating larger animals and managing landslips.

There will be food and market stalls in the morning, followed by a radio communication scenario with the SES in the afternoon.

“A number of communities have been interested in using UHF radio to communicate once normal communication goes down in an emergency,” Ms Apps said.

“It’s about coming up with plans on how and when to contact each other in those times.

“Everyone has individual questions they want to ask. This is the chance to do it with the resources there.

“These groups are always looking for volunteers, too, so there will be a chance for that.”

The event will run from 10am to 3.30pm and is family friendly, with food and live music from Luke Vassella.