Small communities are emergency ready

More than 30 people are now more prepared after attending a Baw Baw Shire 'Get Ready, Get Techy, Go'! emergency readiness event at Willow Grove recently.
The event was supported by Tanjil Valley Landcare Group, local CFA, SES and Ambulance Victoria.
A range of information was provided by all agencies which was valuable in providing a lot of useful tips to become much better prepared for emergencies.
Catering was provided by Landcare, with costs for the event covered by an Ausnet grant via Baw Baw Shire.
The event, organised by the shire's emergency management team helped prepare community members ahead of the summer bushfire and extreme heat season.
Diverse needs groups and vulnerable populations are most affected by disasters, with greater losses and poorer recovery outcomes.
The sessions ensure vulnerable residents can:
Confidently use key online emergency apps to stay abreast of information regarding power outages and extreme weather events that are affecting them;
Have key personal documents saved online and/or on USBs in fire protective bags;
Manage food storage, clean water supply and cooling/heating during power outages; and,
Create home emergency kits, including information packs on local emergency supports to draw on if required.