Prepare now for disaster ahead

TOO many Australians are ill-prepared to face another bushfire season, with more than one in three (35 per cent) revealing they have done nothing to get ready, the Red Cross has warned.

But residents in some bushfire prone areas have doubled down on their preparation efforts, creating Facebook groups and community calendars so neighbours can be aware of each others’ movements over summer.

Such initiatives can make a life-and-death difference in an emergency, experts believe. “Connected neighbourhoods are resilient neighbourhoods. It’s your neighbour who’s going to help you in times of emergency,” said Red Cross volunteer Lynewen Maender.

“Of the communities I’ve visited during bushfire seasons, the ones that are commuting communities are not as resilient as those that are connected.

“They have that strong thing of ‘I need to look after my neighbour’, and it’s really noticeable when you’re out helping these people.”

Moving to a new part of the Adelaide Hills a few months ago, Ms Maender set up a Facebook group so locals could share essential information, whether that be on bushfires or COVID-19.

In Mallacoota, Victoria, where more than 100 houses were destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires, neighbours have taken to sharing information about plans and movements.

“We started what we call the Fire Tree,” resident Kate Arendsen said. “Every November somebody puts out a calendar and we say where we will be for the next three months, so we know where our neighbours will be and we don’t have to worry.”

A new Red Cross survey reveals 56 per cent of Australians are planning for the risks of future disasters.

For Ms Arendsen, that has involved keeping copies of treasured photos and documents on USB sticks away from the family home; taking photos of valuables for insurance purposes; and keeping “runaway boxes” in the garage with food, water, toiletries, medications and copies of prescriptions.

This week is Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Week, in which it urges Australians to make plans that could save them in the event of a disaster.