Getting the right information

RESIDENTS wrote or revised their emergency plans and received vital information last Saturday at the Heathcote Emergency Expo held at Barrack Reserve.

Volunteers from Heathcote Fire Brigade, SES Heathcote Unit, City of Greater Bendigo, Heathcote Community House, Ambulance Victoria and RFDS attended to give advice and answer questions.

Heathcote Fire Brigade captain Carl Watkins opened the expo and encouraged everyone to make or update emergency plans and add the VicEmergency app to their phones.

“We noticed that during the recent fires there were a lot of locals going to Facebook for advice,” he said.

“To be blunt, we were horrified.

“This highlighted that not only do many in our community still not have a fire plan but they also don’t know where to go for accurate, timely and official information.

“Facebook has some good information, but it is filled with people who don’t know what they are talking about.

“Facebook is definitely not the place to look for emergency information.

“VicEmergency is exactly where people should be looking and Bendigo council’s new emergency dashboard is a new and excellent resource as well.”

Mr Watkins reminded attendees that Heathcote CFA members are always happy to go to resident’s properties and give specific advice and information.

“This isn’t a one-time offer,” he said. “If you take our advice and make some changes, we’re happy to come out again and adjust the advice accordingly.

“We are all here to help each other.”