Communities

Community groups play a crucial role in disaster preparation.

They educate people about local risks, host emergency plan workshops, distribute essential information, and set up communication systems. They can also organise practice drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

By collaborating with local leaders and assisting those who need extra support, community groups help make sure everyone is prepared and can recover quickly from disasters.

Community resilience is strengthened by building strong social connections, supporting mental health, and promoting collective preparedness.

When people in a community know and trust each other, they can share resources, offer assistance, and recover more effectively from disasters. By prioritising both individual and collective well-being, resilient communities become more united and better equipped to handle everyday challenges and extreme events.

The community plays a vital role in both recovery and preparing for recovery.

During a disaster, strong community bonds enable people to support each other, share resources, and rebuild more quickly. Preparing for recovery involves planning ahead, organising resources, and ensuring everyone knows their roles.

By collaborating and fostering strong connections, communities can recover more swiftly and be better prepared for future challenges.

Information for communities on how to prepare for a natural disaster:

In the Adelaide Hills Council area, various community initiatives are enhancing preparedness and resilience:

1. Bushfire Preparation and Recovery
   • The 'Adelaide Hills Community Action Bushfire Network' (AHCABN) is a volunteer-driven network focused on bushfire preparation and recovery.
2. Inclusive Emergency Planning
   • The 'P-CEP Peer Leaders Network' advocates for inclusive emergency planning, particularly for people with disabilities and their carers.
3. Community Training and Preparedness
   • The 'RediCommunities Project', in partnership with the Australian Red Cross, has provided emergency planning training to ten townships. These townships are now working on projects such as creating information packs and organising disaster readiness sessions.
   • The 'Recovery Ready Halls' program, funded by the Australian Government, has equipped community facilities to serve as support hubs during emergencies. Participants from both the RediCommunities Project and the Recovery Ready Halls program are developing 72-hour recovery plans to guide initial response efforts following a disaster.

For more information on local community groups working on disaster preparedness and resilience, please contact our Community Resilience Officer.