Building Safer And More Resilient Communities

Building Safer And More Resilient Communities

Published: 29/07/2016

The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) has developed a three-year plan to build disaster resilience in Victorian communities. Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today launched the VICSES Community Resilience Strategy at the Warrnambool SES headquarters.

It’s the first strategy of its kind for any Australian state emergency service and will guide Victorian SES members on how best to work with communities to better prepare them before, during and after an emergency.

There are more than 260 languages spoken across Victoria’s diverse community, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing people for disaster.

The strategy will help guide Victorian SES members on how to deliver education programs that are community driven, so that locals are less reliant on emergency services when a disaster hits and are better prepared to take ownership of the community’s priorities and actions.

As part of the strategy, VICSES will deliver education programs and services to schools, industry, councils, churches, local sports clubs, neighbourhood houses, tourism networks and other emergency services agencies.

This includes practical programs such as working with teachers to help them educate their students about how they can increase their awareness and safety during an emergency, or working with local community groups to develop flood plans.

Disaster resilience is everyone’s responsibility and this strategy enables VICSES members to support all communities to prepare for emergencies in a way that is meaningful to them.

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