Ep 3. In this episode of Emergency Ready Now, we hear from Expert Clinical Psychologist Dr Rob Gordon. Rob helps us understand the importance of preparing for a ‘marathon’ recovery rather than a sprint.

Dr Rob Gordon is a clinical psychologist and as a consultant for the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria (DHS), The Department of Education, Training and Bushfire Recovery Victoria and Red Cross Emergency Services, he has worked with people and communities after traumatic events for over 30 years.

https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/emergencies/looking-after-yourself

Ep 2.

In this episode, we talk to Christine, Jeff and Robyn who spent many weeks living through the threat of bush fire. We learn about the importance of being prepared and how preparedness has an impact of the resilience of a community.

Dr Christine Wade runs a private practice as a GP on Mangrove Mountain and owns a cattle farm with her partner Jeff, who is a third generation farmer in the area.

Robyn is an active community member in the Spencer area of the Central Coast. She is an advocate for the community and champion of disaster resilience and recovery for her region.

In this episode we venture into the perspectives of communities that can become isolated in natural disaster situations.

Central Coast Council Disaster Dashboard https://emergency.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/dashboard/overview

Creative Recovery https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/news/working-disaster-impacted-communities

Ep 1.

Leanne & Neil’s story sets the scene with a totally unexpected disaster.

It raises questions for all of us that are at the heart of this podcast.

What do we do when the unexpected occurs?

How do we process it after?

What will we do differently in the future?

Leanne and Neil's story is one that could happen to any of us and it high lights the importance of being prepared.

Viki Campbell, Superintendent Central Coast Rural Fire Service and Emergency Management expert, talks through preparedness from an experts perspective and her thoughts on being part of community.

Viki has served with emergency response organisations for the past 30 years through the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Ambulance. She is currently the Manager of the Central Coast Rural Fire District where she is responsible for the overall coordination of RFS firefighting capability and bush fire risk Management.

Viki has extensive operational experience in firefighting including field operations, Incident Management and air attack coordination. Among other appointments, Viki was the appointed Incident Controller for the 2019/20 bushfire emergency on the Central Coast.

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

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