The Castlemaine Emergency Response Expo is set to return to the Western Reserve on Saturday October 8 and will be bigger than ever with close to 30 organisations attending.
The expo presents a unique opportunity to meet with first responders and emergency workers to learn how to prepare your home and family for floods, bushfires, storms and other emergencies.
SES Castlemaine Deputy Controller Daniel Bone said Central Victoria is currently experiencing similar weather conditions to 2010 and 2016 which led to thousands of Victorian homes being impacted by widespread flooding.
“Dams in our area are close to full and catchment areas are saturated, so even small amounts of rainfall during Spring could cause localised flooding,” he said.
“The expo gives the community of Central Victoria a unique opportunity to learn about the risks where they live and work, and to talk with the experts about creating an emergency plan based on local risk factors,” he said.
“The expo will be especially helpful for people who have moved to the area since the last major floods,” Daniel said.
At the Expo you will be able to learn about local risks from the SES, CFA, Police, Ambulance Victoria and Council and refresh your emergency plans with experts from the Red Cross.
You can also learn practical skills such as CPR, sandbagging, fire safety and wildlife rescue skills.
The expo will also include a BBQ provided by the Lions Club, coffee cart, talks from first responders, demonstrations – including the SES cutting up a car, displays of the latest vehicles and equipment emergency services use in the field, and activities for children including petting animals, a toy truck, face painting, lawn games, balloon art and more.
“The Emergency Response Expo is a fun time for the whole family and an amazing opportunity to learn more about how to best prepare for flooding, bushfires, and storms, as well as speaking with emergency service volunteers and professionals,” Daniel said.
The expo will run from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free. However, a gold coin donations to the local CFA and SES is welcome.
Breakout box (Please shade)
Expo exhibitors
Exhibitors will include: SES, CFA, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria (Station 73), DELWP/ Forest Fire Management Victoria, Coast Guard (Lake Eppalock),Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry, ESTA / Triple Zero Victoria, Red Cross, Disaster Legal Help Victoria, St John Ambulance, CSIRO-RMIT Evacuation Risk Modelling Project, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group, Amber Community (formerly Road Trauma Support Services Victoria), Wildlife Victoria, Wildlife Rescue and Information Network (WRIN), Mount Alexander Animal Welfare Shelter, Powercor, Coliban Water, North Central Catchment Management Authority, NBN Local, Salvation Army, Everyone First Aid, Rewells Mower Service, and Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics Club (BAREC).