On Monday, Officers from Southern Downs Regional Council paid a visit to the students from Year 4/5. The Council Officers specialise in Disaster Management and Bushfire Recovery and discussed with the students the best ways they can prepare for a disaster.

Disaster management education can start at any age and early introduction ensures resilience is developed and becomes an automatic behaviour, while also taking some of the fear out of these events. Teaching students about which agencies are involved, why people are asked to do certain things (eg. Evacuate), and how to be prepared and respond builds understanding and confidence. The young people in our community, have been very proactive in participating in education programs and many show a level of wisdom beyond their years.

Some of the key messages Council hopes to instil in students are:

• Disaster Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility,
• It is far better to be prepared, than to react.

If you don’t know, ask!

Every student received a ‘Zombie Apocalypse Emergency Kit’ and students were asked to think carefully about what they would need to put in their kit. Answers were both tactical and creative. A flashlight, a water bottle, spare clothes, asthma puffer, and spare batteries were all suggested. As was a teddy, a knife and Grandma’s false teeth.

It was really great to see students thinking about any possible future eventuality.

For more information on disaster management and preparedness, please visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au