He’s just 10-years-old but Year Five St Joseph’s Primary School Nambour student Zac Zeremes wants everyone on the Sunshine Coast to be prepared for severe weather and emergency events.
“You need to have a ‘WHAT-IF’ plan,” Zac said. “A ‘WHAT-IF’ plan means everyone in your house knows exactly what to do in any kind of disaster.
“It’s really good for kids to know what to do, so they can talk to their family and neighbours about having an emergency and evacuation kit ready to go.”
Zac and his classmates Jordan Gormley, Archie Tollner, Heidi Brumwell and Shyla Lamont won the 2020 Sunshine Coast Get Ready Schools Competition and star in council’s annual disaster awareness campaign, which kicks off this week.
Council, in partnership with emergency services agencies, is calling on all Sunshine Coast residents and businesses to ensure they are disaster ready this Get Ready Queensland Week (October 12 – 18).
“We know that disaster can strike anytime, anywhere and it’s not a matter of if, but when,” Mayor Mark Jamieson said.
“We all have a role to play and being prepared is everyone’s responsibility.
“There are three simple steps to ensure your household or business is prepared for extreme events.
“Step one is to have an emergency plan in place. Step two is to pack supplies – pack your emergency and evacuation kits – and step three is to make sure your insurance has adequate coverage and is up-to-date.
“Encourage your neighbours to do the same.
“What we know is that neighbourhoods which are aware of their risks in a disaster and connected to their local community are more likely to be able to respond, help each other, and quickly recover to the ‘new’ normal of day-to-day living when disaster strikes.”
While it’s vital to be prepared for all types of disasters, Mayor Jamieson said the current La Nina forecast meant the community needed to be especially aware of storms and possible flash flooding in coming months.
“It’s looking like a very wet storm season,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“No two floods or storms are the same so please take the time to understand the risks in your neighbourhood and remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.”
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What to include in your Emergency Kit
If you are unable to leave your home for an extended period, your emergency kit will equip your household for up to three days of isolation.
- Fresh water
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kit
- Portable radio and torch with spare batteries
- Sturdy gloves
- Essential medication and prescriptions
- Mobile phone, charger and a power bank
- Important documents in sealed bags
- Cash
- Baby formula and nappies
- Toiletries.
What to include in your Evacuation Kit
An evacuation kit is for times during an emergency where it becomes unsafe for your household to stay at home and should contain only essential items for each household member that they can easily and quickly ‘grab and go’.
- Blanket
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Warm clothes
- Kid’s toys/entertainment
- Valuables and mementos
- Essential medication and prescriptions
- Mobile phone, charger and a power bank
- Important documents and cash,
- Disinfectant wipes
- Baby formula and nappies
- Toiletries including tissues, hand sanitiser and face masks
For more information please visit getready.qld.gov.au and council’s award-winning Disaster Hub website – disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au – to find the latest updates, practical resources and what to do before, during and after an emergency.
You can also sign up to the Coast Alert notification service by downloading the Sunshine Coast Council app on your smart device.
The 2020 Sunshine Coast Get Ready Schools Competition winners – Heidi Brumwell, Jordan Gormley, Zac Zeremes, Shyla Lamont and Archie Tollner from St Joseph’s Primary School, Nambour.
