Shire urged to ‘Get Ready’ for summer
Wingecarribee Shire Council is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the start of summer to start a conversation about being aware of and prepared for seasonal hazards.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Duncan Gair said that while Australian summers were iconic, they could also be tragic.
“Each year, communities across NSW experience bush fires, home fires, floods, storms, heatwaves, power outages and other emergencies,” he said.
“It’s a situation our own Shire knows only too well following last summer’s horror bush fire season.”
“As summer starts this year we’re encouraging everyone to start a conversation around being prepared for the multiple hazards that we may face.”
Commissioner of Resilience NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons encouraged everyone to have a conversation around being prepared for emergency, whatever the hazard may be.
“Our emergency service organisations do an incredible job keeping us safe, but they can only do so much,” he said. “Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays.”
“We want everyone to have safe and happy holidays,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons added. “This year, that also means adapting our usual summer rituals to include COVID-safe practices.”
“Avoid crowded environments, maintain physical distancing and where physical distancing can’t be maintained, wear a mask.
“And if you feel unwell, get tested and self-isolate.”
Get Ready for summer in five simple steps:
- Know your risk – think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you;
- 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;
- Get your home ready – prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage;
- 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;
- Look out for each other – share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance.
Get Ready is a community preparedness program coordinated by Resilience NSW.
To find out more www.resilience.nsw.gov.au/prepare.html