Emergency expo to help locals prepare for disaster

EMERGENCY services from across the region will gather in Ballina later this month for a community expo aimed at helping residents prepare for fire, floods and other disasters.

The Emergency Services Expo will be held at Missingham Park on Saturday, September 20 and feature displays and demonstrations by firefighters, marine rescue, paramedics, police, SES, Red Cross and surf lifesavers.

Ballina Shire Council’s emergency management officer Lloyd Isaacson said the event would be a chance for locals to get personalised advice and connect directly with emergency agencies.

“Whether it’s fire, flood, storm or other natural events, it’s never too early to be prepared,” Isaacson said.

“This expo will be a fun day out for all ages and will give our community a chance to meet and learn directly from the people who protect us during crises.

“We can’t control when emergencies will happen, but we can control how prepared we are.

“Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference in keeping yourself, your family and your community safe.”

The Ballina SES unit will provide updates on first-aid training, field core skills and communications equipment.

Volunteers have spent the past six months training in storm response, water damage, rescue operations, land searches and road crash rescue.

The expo will feature live demonstrations, interactive displays and practical information about local risks, including floods, bushfires and storms.

Children will be able to climb inside fire trucks and meet emergency service crews.

There will also be information on emergency alerts, household emergency plans and disaster preparedness apps.

The event is funded by the NSW Government through the Social Cohesion Grants for Local Government program.