Ep 12. What DO we do after the Fires, the floods, the pandemic? What lessons did we learn about being Emergency Ready Now?

Join us for the series final where we explore the Gems in the stories we have shared on Emergency Ready Now.

Are YOU Emergency READY NOW?

In many way we function better as a collective than we do as individuals. In this episode we are looking at community resilience groups. Why are they so important? and how do we form them in our own communities.

We chat to Fiona Sewell from Recovery Ready Communities Inc and Community Led Ready2Go disaster resilience program and and Stephen Hinks from Killy Cares on the NSW Central Coast

Both have seen a need and cultivated change.

How to community resilient groups make stronger more connected communities?

Michelle and Chris are local RFS (rural fire service) members from the Central Coast. Both have dedicated many years to volunteerism to the RFS and the legacy lives on in their children.

In this episode we explore the mental wellbeing of our front line volunteers during and after events like the Black Summer Fires.

Michelle and Chris remind us about the strong connection to community that inspires them to protect not only houses, but whole communities that surround them.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/

https://emergency.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/get-ready/bush-fire

Anne became entrenched in resilience and recovery after the Black Saturday bush fires in King Lake in 2009. Anne, who has received and OAM for her outstanding work in disaster recovery, joins us to give us some insight into how communities can proactively plan for recovery before a crisis occurs.

Every person has a part of them that wants to reach out and help people in our community. We are joined by three very special guests who have put community building into action in the wake of disaster!

Jo Hilder, Bej and Mel Gould raise the big questions. How do i become involved in times of crisis. How do we connect with people in our neighborhoods long after a crisis has subsided!

Today we delve into what it means to be connected and not only work on our own mental health, but that of the young people in our lives as well. In this episode we speak to Dr John Irvine, one of Australia’s most heard, seen and read childhood psychologists. We discuss how events like natural disaster can impact on child mental health and building a neighbourhood that enables children to flourish.

https://www.worrywoos.com/

https://emergency.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/get-ready/overview

Natural disasters and unusual events like the COVID-19 pandemic create stress and disruption for families.

In this episode we are joined by Dr Andrea Baldwin.

Andrea Baldwin is a Service Development Leader at the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, where she co-ordinates the Centre’s work in the natural disaster space under the banner of Birdie’s Tree. A child and adolescent Psychologist by background, Andrea holds PhDs in Psychology and Creative Writing and a Masters in Drama. Andrea has co-authored the Birdie storybook series with Speech Pathologist Andrea Murray, and contributes both mental health and creative expertise to the ongoing development of the Birdie’s Tree resources.

Talking to your kids in an emergency.

https://www.redcross.org.au/CMSPages/GetAmazonFile.aspx?path=~\australianredcross\files\63\63036b9a-98fd-4cf0-910f-197ef64293a7.pdf&hash=6c6bd2de62ea8836467f468acedf9564c4c7ffe93548ad598397fa1aa1d2ae19

Birdies Tree Books.

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/natural-disaster-recovery/

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/mental-health-services/qcpimh/natural-disaster-resources/storybooks/

What happens when you have to turn your plans into action? What about the aftermath and the impact on relationships. In this episode we are joined by Adam Holland who knows first hand about the impact of putting survival plans into action and then we hear from Nick Tebby, from Relationships Australia, who talks about relationships, connection and mental health when moving on from natural disaster. How do we build communities you want to be part of?

This week we hear from Hal Butterfield.

We explore his story of the devastating fires of the NSW South Coast and losing his home in Mogo, Hal's story brings the ideas from the previous episode with Dr Rob Gordon to life in the most powerful way. He reflects on his own process of recovery over the first 12 months after the fires and his experiences of significant loss.

https://emergency.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/get-ready/overview

Emergency Ready Now. Stories of disaster, preparedness, resilience on the Central Coast and Beyond