THE region’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers converged on Gunnedah for a community engagement session over the weekend.
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SES Namoi North West regional learning and development officer Graeme Geyer said it was about equipping members with tools on how to engage with the community on preventing risks.
“It’s educating our volunteer members on how to engage with the community and to increase resilience to floodwaters and storms,” Mr Geyer said.
“Rather than us having to come along and do a roof because it’s leaked, it’s talking to them about cleaning out their gutters beforehand and for people living in a flood-prone area, what plans they can have in place.
“Being proactive is always better than reactive.
“It’s about having plans in place, being prepared, knowing where your evacuations point will be, how to follow instructions from authorities and cleaning roofs. Preparation is vitally important.”
Being proactive is always better than reactive.
- Graeme Geyer
Fourteen volunteers came from Tamworth, Narrabri, Quirindi, Moree and the Liverpool Plains for the workshop. It was the first of its kind held in two years in the region.
Mr Geyer reminded locals to heed the advice of the SES when it came to emergencies. “It’s all about the community being prepared before it’s too late,” he said.
Mr Geyer encouraged more people to get involved with the SES.