The free Australian Red Cross Rediplan workshops are based on the premise that emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, and often leave significant and long-term impacts.
Sessions will be hosted in Jerilderie, Coleambally and Darlington Point.
The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) and member council Murrumbidgee Council have engaged the Red Cross to facilitate the workshops.
It forms part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) project, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments.
The RediPlan workshops will help community members begin their own household emergency RediPlan and provide them with the knowledge and tools needed to continue preparing themselves, and the people most important to them, for emergencies.
“One of the aims of the DRRF project is to build community preparedness for times of disaster,” RAMJO project manager Emily Sharp said.
“We saw an opportunity to work with the Red Cross to help residents create RediPlans, and they have enthusiastically come on board to facilitate the workshops.”
Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae said the 2022 floods and the November flash flooding event demonstrated why it is important for the region to participate in the program.
“We’ve seen the broad and long-lasting impact of storm events and flooding on our communities recently, and we want to help our residents prepare for future emergencies by considering different emergency situations, what they should do to prepare, and how they will respond,” Cr McRae said.
Australian Red Cross Emergency Services regional officer Kate Johanson said taking action prior to an emergency has long been recognised as a way to reduce the impacts of disasters.
“We know that having a plan helps people cope during and after a disaster because they’ve already thought about how they will react and feel if an emergency happens.”
Local workshops are as follows:
• Jerilderie - February 13, 6pm-8.30pm, Jerilderie Civic Hall’s Ian Gilbert Room.
• Coleambally - February 14, 6pm-8.30pm, Coleambally Community Hall.
• Darlington Point - February 15, 6pm-8.30pm, Murrumbidgee Shire Hall.
A light supper will be provided and all participants will go in a free raffle to win an emergency kit worth $200.
Community members can RSVP to Ms Sharp on 0436 370 722 or Emily.Sharp@ramjo.nsw.gov.au.
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