Redland City, Sept. 24, 2023 – In a bid to enhance the resilience of its community members in the face of disasters, Redland City Council is gearing up to host a series of community resilience forums throughout the month of October. These initiatives aim to provide support to the most vulnerable segments of the population during times of crisis.
Forums as a Tool for Disaster Preparedness
Mayor Karen Williams, who also chairs the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), expressed the critical importance of these forums. They will prioritise key areas such as the disability support sector, the youth service network, and supporting children and families.
As Redland City braces itself for the upcoming bushfire and storm season, Mayor Karen Williams emphasised the need for both the council and the community to be well-prepared. “Council and other members of the Redland City LDMG are prepared for the upcoming bushfire and storm season, and we want to ensure our community is prepared as well,” Mayor Williams stated.
“These forums are an opportunity to invest in strengthening the way our community members support one another in times of disaster. We know we’re stronger when we work together, and the forums will allow participants to access expert advice, share resources, and create a support network that can make all the difference when disaster strikes.”
The Redland City Council is delivering these vital initiatives through the Community Recovery and Resilience Officer program, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Highlighted Forums to Watch Out For
- The first forum, dedicated to the Redlands Coast Youth Sector Network, is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, in Alexandra Hills, running from 9 am to 12:30 pm. It will delve into strategies for maintaining connections within the youth services network, offering support to young people before, during, and after critical community and disaster events, and providing practical tools to gauge and bolster the resilience of youth organisations and the sector.
- Following this, the forum focused on the Redland City Disability Sector is slated for Thursday, October 12, in Capalaba, running from 9 am to 3 pm. Participants will gain insights into topics such as Emergency and Disaster Management Standards (NDIS Quality and Safeguard Practice Standards), Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements within the Redland City context, Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP), and disaster resilience and business continuity planning for disability support services and providers.
- Lastly, the forum designed to support children and families is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, in Capalaba, starting at 7:30 am and concluding at 9 am. This breakfast event will feature guest speaker Dr. Andrea Baldwin, an author and child and youth clinical consultant. Attendees will also receive information on utilising Birdie’s Tree resources to aid infants, young children, and their caregivers during natural disasters, disruptions, and stressful events.
It’s important to note that space is limited for the forums on October 12 and 24, so early registration is recommended.
These forums represent a proactive step towards building a more resilient and well-prepared community, ensuring that Redland City is ready to face any challenges that may come its way in the future.
For detailed information and registration instructions for all forums, please click here.
