Communities meet to talk disasters

SINCE late last year, residents towards the shire’s north-west have been banding together to discuss individual and community preparedness in the face of environmental disasters.

Following an inaugural meeting in September, a collaboration between local leaders in Smythesdale and Scarsdale with CFA members, firefighters, Golden Plains Shire and business owners has led to ongoing meetings regarding best practices in the event of emergencies.

CFA community-based bushfire management project officer Bridget Clarke said the discussions have grown out of a community-led initiative.

“We’ve been working with a couple of community members as part of a gorse removal project along the Woady Yaloak River and were having some discussions around risk preparedness and awareness,” she said.

“There were some concerns about the town’s unity around what would happen after a fire, so we’ve been able to secure some funds with council to get the initial session.

“Community members have continued to meet a couple more times to discuss not just what happens on the day on a disaster, but the crucial 72 hours following where communities can be quite isolated.”

About half a dozen meetings have taken place following the initial session hosted by Red Flag Leadership’s Jamie Mackenzie.

Discussions have been held between The Well, Snake Valley Fire Station and the Scarsdale Hall, with the latter slated to serve as the site for the next session.

Ms Clarke said it is important that Smythesdale and Scarsdale residents are equipped to deal with the issues that can arise after a disaster’s impact.

“The best experience with disaster recovery is by those communities who’ve had the discussion prior to the event,” she said.

“It’s about what format is what they’re going to look like and how can we best interact with the absence of agency to start with and then the overwhelm of agency later.

“That recovery space is often challenging for communities just because no one really prepares for that bit. They prepare for emergencies but the recovery space often leaves towns reeling from that dynamic of mass communication and need.”

The next meeting is expected to be held following the conclusion of the current fire season.

Ms Clarke encouraged residents to get involved in the discussions.

“We want those who are interested to be aware of what’s going on because in this space, everybody has a say and is welcome to be informed about this process,” she said.

To express interest in attending the next community preparedness meeting, call 0419 952 242.