Council encourages residents to Get Ready for summer

13 September, 2022Posted in: Events
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Wingecarribee Shire Council is encouraging families across the Shire to use the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Get Ready Weekend to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

‘Get Ready Weekend’ involves members of the public participating in RFS led online and in-person disaster preparedness activities prior to the start of the bushfire season.

General Manager Lisa Miscamble said the weekend provided an opportunity to start a broader conversation about the need to prepare for emergencies.

“Three years ago, our Shire came under direct threat from the Green Wattle Creek and Morton bushfires,” she said.

“By the time these bushfires had been extinguished two lives had been lost, dozens of homes burnt to the ground and 64,000 hectares of our bushland scorched.

“No one ever wants to witness a repeat of these events.”

To support early planning and preparation, NSW RFS will once again host their annual Get Ready Weekend on 17-18 September.

The General Manager said the weekend would focus on disaster preparedness from multiple threats.

“Each year, communities across NSW may experience bushfires, home fires, floods, storms, heatwaves, power outages and other emergencies,” she said.  “Already this year our Shire has been inundated by floodwaters and storms on numerous occasions.”

“This has highlighted how important it is to be prepared for all hazards.”

“I encourage everyone to follow their local RFS brigade’s Facebook page for more information as it becomes available.”

Get Ready in five simple steps:

  1. Know your risk – think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;
  2. Plan now for what you will do – sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area;
  3. Get your home ready – prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;
  4. Be aware – find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area and connect with NSW emergency services to stay informed;
  5. Look out for each other – share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.

“Our emergency service organisations do an incredible job keeping us safe, but they can only do so much,” Ms Miscamble added.  “Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility.”

For more information on the Get Ready Weekend visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/get-ready.