In an emergency what’s your plan ? Frances Ford Coordinator Resilient Communities f.ford@bendigo.vic.gov.au

Background & Objectives Project commenced 2014 Funding received RDV (Regional Development Victoria) Increased overall community resilience, by delivering a risk communication strategy tailored to suit target audience Coordinate a tailored public education program delivery, in collaborative partnership with VicSES, CFA & Australian Red Cross Reduce inefficiency of current & future public education programs, by achieving cost efficiency in risk communication strategies Funding received $68,400 RDV Project value (final) $122,235 ($53,835 in-kind) Currently across LM region each emergency services manages their own education & marketing around messages to community ~ similar message Following an all hazards approach~ agencies are able to share cost of education, increase community confidence & understanding with messaging & maximise use of consistent messaging. Objectives (simple) Multi-hazard Simplify messages – what you can do for yourself/family Work collaboratively Consistent messaging- working with all agencies Joint budget bids?? Evaluation & sharing of learnings

Context Bendigo: ‘city in a forest’

Context Impact of Black Saturday fires - suburban Bendigo as well as farming areas Serious floods in 2011 Bendigo expected to grow from 110,000 to 200,000 by 2050 Rapidly growing population on rural urban interface Growth in CALD communities such as Karen community (from 7 refugees to community of 2000 + in the decade from 2007)

Phase 1 – Building Stronger Communities in the face of disasters, Forum

Key principles Best defence in any disaster is an informed public (FEMA 2008) Importance of community as active partners not as passive recipients Need to find ways to engage with vulnerable groups Building relationships with and through key networks

Phase 2: Working group re-established Focus on developing an “All Hazards”, community education tool Five themes developed - Knowledge - Have a Plan - Connectedness - Safety & Wellbeing - Information Brief hiatus after resignation of project officer then project recommenced 2015 Working Group: VicSES, CFA, Victoria Police, Red Cross, DHHS, CoGB, Five themes developed- each agency asked to come up with 5 key messages they wanted to get across to the community around preparedness & resilience Consultation with various community groups also used in developing the plan

Key Message: In an emergency, what’s your plan? Magnetic Flip charts – distributed to all CoGB households TV and radio commercials Social Media Newspaper & newsletter info Website

Creating characters – identifying with emergency plan message An animated character, ‘Wal’, was created to link all aspects of the project - TV, Flip chart, website Local spokesperson included (TV)

TV commercials Combination of animation & live talking to camera Representatives from CFA, SES, Vic Police Inclusion of Auslan interpreter

TV commercials

Magnetic Flip Chart Distributed to individual CoGB households Area to personalise information e.g.: - Emergency contacts - Grab kits - Evacuating with a pet (plan) - Fire ban district - Where to gain info Support for individuals to read, fill out & understand

Roll out Commercials ran for 3 week period Flip chart distribution Community group education & sharing resource Community education- targeting vulnerable community members Website information & links Flip charts- distributed via GB magazine Vulnerable members – schools, seniors groups, CALD communities, disability services, Neighbourhood house – support - Developing school programs in literacy blocks- peer teaching with high school & primary

Further developments Auslan specific video clips Development of Easy English version of ‘in an emergency what’s your plan’ in partnership with Scope Translation of the Easy English document into Karen language and promotion through the Karen community (with help of a Karen student on placement with City of Greater Bendigo) Stronger links with LCMS through the Cultural Diversity and Inclusion plan

Challenges Resourcing and sustainability – how to embed this work long-term? Measuring impact Statewide silos in communication budgets - role of Emergency Management Joint Public Information Committee (EMJPIC) in addressing this ?

Next steps / current focus People with disabilities and their families – including need for personal emergency planning for those eligible for support through NDIS Implications of NDIS changes for Vulnerable People in Emergencies policy ?

Next steps /current focus Community resilience and climate change Heat health project (in partnership with several other councils and Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance) Climate change impact (especially on vulnerable people ) and adaptation strategies Links to Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan and Community Sector Climate resilience project (Bendigo cluster)

Resources and links www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/services/Emergency-Management/Planning-for-an-Emergency (includes flip chart, video clips and Easy English guide) www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/emergency www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Community-and- care/community-safety/Heatwave-how-to-stay-safe http://cvga.org.au/resilient-community-assets/ Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance – scroll down for heatwave management thermometer, heat health video and heatwave management plan template