Support stepped up for bushfire affected community

Blue Mountains communities who felt the full force of bushfires last year continue to be supported to rebuild their lives.

Step by Step Recovery Support Service, a personalised service which assists people who have been affected by the bushfires or other emergency events, has worked with 60 individuals and households in the Blue Mountains and over 200 in the wider region. The service provides assistance with information, decision-making and recovery resources for fire-affected communities. The Service has also recently delivered generators to families in need and partnered up with Habitat for Humanity to help clear and repair properties.

Blue Mountains City Council have also recruited a new Community Recovery Support Officer, funded by Resilience NSW. This staff member will ensure that community recovery needs are understood, that individuals have access to important information, and that there is community input into important recovery plans and documents which shape recovery activities in the local area.

With the early start to the bushfire season, the Red Cross is encouraging residents to download the Get Prepared app. The app guides users through making an emergency plan, which will assist in case of an emergency. The download is free on both Apple and Android phones and is available at www.redcross.org.au/prepare.   To access the Step by Step Recovery Support Service call 0417 298 832 or email [email protected]. The Service is available Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm.   To learn about more resources to help in bushfire recovery, visit the Blue Mountains City Council’s recovery webpage on www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/recovery.