Governments at all levels, and developers, continue to push development of housing and infrastructure on floodplains and once again we are seeing the consequences as we watch people die and others be rescued from their flooded homes on the mid-north coast.
But even if you are in a vulnerable living situation there are things you can do to prepare for future flood events and other emergencies.
A free Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) community training event is taking place at the RFS Billinudgel Fire Station on 1 June.
People with support needs
This training is looking specifically at how people with support needs can prepare for future risks and develop a network around them that will see them through those events like flood, fire, or other emergencies.
The P-CEP program has been co-designed and tested with people with disability and is an all-hazards approach.
‘People with disabilities and older people can be heavily impacted by disasters. Evacuation can be challenging, medicines may be unavailable, and support networks and communications can be cut,’ explained Murry (Muzz) Drechsler who is a trained P-CEP facilitator and volunteer RFS firefighter.
‘This training will support people with a disability, older members of our community and their support networks to gain the skills to develop an emergency preparedness plan.
‘People in our street network and broader community can build skills in supporting people in their family and social networks. We invite local emergency service volunteers to join in too!’
Bringing together the resources
The P-CEP website states that, ‘P-CEP enables people to self-assess their preparedness, capabilities and support needs and develop a personal emergency plan for how they will: (a) manage their support needs in emergencies; and (b) act together with their support network before, during, and after a disaster. P-CEP focuses on function (not impairments), local community assets, and cross-sector collaboration as the basis for removing barriers that increase risk for people with disability and other groups at greater risk in emergencies.’
Free community training
‘There are only 15 spaces so get in quick!’ said Murray.
To register email: [email protected]. BYO lunch; biscuits, tea and coffee provided.
This training is supported through community donations! You can always support more of our work through tax deductible donations here: https://support.mullumseed.org.au/South-Golden-Beach-New-Brighton-Ocean-Shores-Community-Resilient-Team.
This program is supported by Mullum SEED.
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