South Burnett, Toowoomba and North Burnett regional councils are urging their communities to be disaster ready this storm season.
Get Ready Queensland Week is recognised from 6 to 12 October, and is a time for Queenslanders to take steps to prepare their family and properties against disaster events.
“This year, during Get Ready Queensland Week, we’re spreading the message: ‘Weather doesn’t plan, but you can’. Regardless of your personal situation, planning for extreme weather is important,” a South Burnett council spokesperson said.
North Burnett Mayor Les Hotz, whose region has recently experienced several fires and heavy smoke, thanked his region’s hard working rural firefighters.
“This time of year, disaster preparedness needs to be front of mind for us all,” he said.
“I encourage you to bookmark Council’s Emergency Dashboard to your computer and mobile devices so you can quickly access up to date information on bushfire activity and other emergency events that may affect you.
“Taking steps now can make all the difference when disasters strike.”
Meanwhile, Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group chair, Cr Geoff McDonald reminded residents it was important to heed Get Ready Week’s vital messages.
“Preparing for disasters saves lives. When a natural disaster or extreme weather event strikes, every minute counts – people need to act quickly to stay safe,” Mayor McDonald said.
“It’s crucial that residents are ready by knowing their risk, have a plan and an emergency kit ready to go. A few simple steps now can help to safeguard your family and property before a disaster occurs.
“Our community knows all too well how quickly disasters can hit. Council has a Local Disaster Management Plan (LDMP) ready for when disasters strike, and Get Ready Week is about ensuring every household has an individual plan too.”
Mayor McDonald reminded residents it is highly likely the region could experience both bushfires, severe storms, floods and heatwaves.
“It is important for residents to be fully informed about the best precautions they can take and how they will respond in an emergency,” he said.
“There are free resources which residents can access to ensure they are prepared for extreme weather, including Council’s Disaster Dashboard and the Queensland Government’s Get Ready website.”
The councils will share Get Ready Queensland disaster preparedness tips during the week.
South Burnett council encourages residents to be prepared by following Get Ready Queensland’s 3 steps to get ready:
1. Understand your risk – impacts from extreme weather are different for everyone. Learn about what can happen where you live and how it could affect your family.
2. Make a plan – make a household emergency plan so your family knows what to do and who to contact in extreme weather. It only takes a few minutes and will give you peace of mind that your information is in one place.
3. Pack a kit – grab a few extra items next time you are at the supermarket to make an emergency kit.
In a life-threatening emergency call 000 (triple zero) and for emergency flood or storm assistance, call the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
Stay up to date with your local council’s disaster dashboard:
North Burnett Regional Council: emergency.northburnett.qld.gov.au/
South Burnett Regional Council: dashboard.southburnett.qld.gov.au/
Toowoomba Region Council: disaster.tr.qld.gov.au/
