Disaster prep for the vulnerable
Gympie region people wanting their say in disaster preparations and recovery strategies for vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities, have until Monday to signal their intention to attend a Vulnerable Persons Disaster Management Forum.
The forum is intended to raise issues with the authorities and equally, “to raise awareness for vulnerable persons and improve their support and resilience before, during and after disaster events.”
Gympie disability community volunteer Michael Condon, said the forum would be facilitated by Cindy Buchan of Bravo Disability Support Network and Gympie Local Disaster Management Group, Lorelle Hatch, manager of Gympie Regional Council’s Governance, Integrity and Risk operation and Deputy Local Disaster Coordinator and Peter Harkin, Emergency Management Coordinator, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Member of the Gympie Local Disaster Management Group.
The forum will be held at Gympie RSL in Mary St from 9am to 12.30pm on Tuesday 9 May, with RSVPs needed by Monday and by email, via ‘disaster@gympie.qld.gov.au‘.
A Gympie Regional Council spokesperson said even people unable to attend are invited to register their interest in future events, keeping in touch via email or by phone at 1300 307 800.
The council’s Disaster Management Plan sets out council processes for dealing with disaster and, important after last year, the Flood Recovery Plan 2022 provides an overview of recovery activities to be delivered in the Gympie region to 30 June 2024.
“When it comes to extreme weather events in Queensland, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when,” the spokesperson said.
