Prepare for storm season during Get Ready Queensland Week

Get Ready Queensland Week, from October 8-15, is an ideal time for Noosa residents to put together a ‘WHAT-IF’ emergency plan.

That’s the message from Noosa’s new SES Local Controller Pauline Eglington. Pauline replaces Stan Ryan who retired in February after more than three decades with the SES.

“It’s as simple as getting the family together and making a plan – spelling out the steps you’ll each take if a cyclone, or other disaster such as a bushfire, strikes,” she said.

“It’s important to consider what each member of the family will do in the event of a disaster. This might include, for instance, if mum or dad can’t get home,” Ms Eglington said.

“Extreme weather is part of life in Queensland, which is why we all need to be prepared. Once you’ve developed your WHAT-IF plan, it can be put into action time and time again.”

Ms Eglington urged residents to ensure homes and gardens were storm and bushfire ready.

“When there is a storm warning, this includes removing leaves and other rubbish from gutters as well as tying down or locking away patio furniture to prevent it blowing around,” she said.

“To reduce your home’s bushfire risk, make use of your garden waste recycling bin to dispose of old leaf litter from your backyard, plus cut back overgrown plants and trees,” she said.

At a recent Local Disaster Management Group meeting, Mayor Tony Wellington congratulated Ms Eglington on her appointment and said the community was in safe hands thanks to the volunteers who give their time to the SES.

He went on to say that, “Council will continue to work closely with the Noosa SES and other emergency service agencies through the Local Disaster Management Group to ensure a coordinated and rapid response to any disaster.”

Ms Eglington said, “I am pleased to accept this new role and will work hard to ensure the ongoing commitment of the Noosa SES Unit in providing assistance to the community in times of storms, floods and other disasters.”

She oversees around 60 volunteers across the Tewantin, Cooroy, Pomona and Boreen Point SES groups.

Ms Eglington joined the local State Emergency Service (SES) ranks as a volunteer in 2011 and was recently involved in Noosa’s Tropical Cyclone Debbie response.

Visit the Get Ready website for advice about preparing for storm season.

11 October 2017