Be prepared for disaster season at Open Day

Residents can get timely advice on how to be prepared for weather emergencies of all kinds at the annual Cairns Disaster Coordination Centre Open Day on Saturday 16 November.

The disaster centre is the coordination hub for emergency services and agencies, including police, the fire service, Council, Department of Health, Cairns Airport and Ergon Energy, and is normally off limits to the general public.

The doors will be thrown open from 9am to 1pm giving residents a rare behind-the-scenes insight into what happens during a weather event as well as a wealth of information and advice on how to be prepared for whatever nature throws at us.

Cr Terry James, Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, said the hot and dry start to the disaster season was a timely reminder that it’s not just cyclones and flooding that can impact the region.

“The open day co-incides with the start of the cyclone season each year, but with fires burning across Queensland and New South Wales, we are urging residents to take a broader look at the risks they face,” Cr James said.

“This time last year we had a heat wave, the first in the reigon that anyone can remember. In January there was extreme rainfall leading to localised flooding, and there’s been very high fire danger on multiple days over the past few months.

“Households should have a plan in place for what they will do if any of these emergencies strike, as well as a household emergency kit with enough supplies to survive three days.”

The Open Day includes information from Council, Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, Ergon Energy, Queensland Police, the Red Cross and community organisations.

There is a free sausage sizzle, activities and giveaways and children under 12 can enter a sunhat design competition to win a family pass to Sugarworld Adventure Park.