Workshops build community disaster capacity across region

Published on 05 May 2025

Armidale Regional Council partnered with Red Cross, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service to deliver Community Disaster Capacity and Recovery Events at locations across the region.

With a purpose to strengthen rural and regional communities, the EmergencyRedi and Recover workshops provided community members with information and tools to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

“Our region is very familiar with emergencies including drought, fires and floods and our community has demonstrated their great strengths in adapting and recovering and to care for each other,” said Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland.

“The free EmergencyRedi and Recover workshops are one way for us to support everyone in our region, as we know the better prepared we are, the better we recover from disasters and the workshops brought together communities to develop their strategies.”

The seven workshops were held in local halls and venues at Black Mountain, Ebor, Guyra, Wollomombi, Armidale.

Community members connected over morning or afternoon tea or dinner and established their own four step emergency plan. They were guided through a household emergency kit and were provided with tools to continue preparing themselves (and the people and pets around them) for emergencies and recovery. NSW SES members conducted interactive displays and demonstrations focusing on storm and flood safety, whilst our NSW RFS members talked through implementing Community Protection Plans in collaboration with locals.

Emergency services and recovery contacts, resources and information

These Community Capacity and Disaster Recovery Events were delivered thanks to funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments. Community Recovery Officers ensure community recovery needs are understood and that recovery information, events and activities can be tailored to meet local needs.