Local residents can obtain advice on their flood risk and fire season preparation from local experts at the Castlemaine Emergency Response Expo tomorrow Saturday October 8. Community members are asked to note that due to the wet weather the expo will now be staged at the CAMP RESERVE in Forest Street from 11am tomorrow.
SES Castlemaine Deputy Controller Daniel Bone said the expo could not be better timed with local waterways at capacity and more rain predicted.
Expo participants will be able to learn practical skills such as sandbagging, fire safety, CPR and wildlife rescue skills.
“The expo presents a unique opportunity to meet with local first responders and emergency workers to learn how to prepare your home and family for floods, bushfires, storms and other emergencies,” Bone said.
“With concerns increasing about the possibility of local flooding you can chat to local organisations about your flood risk and preparation, look over historical mapping on areas which traditionally have been impacted and do your best to respond if needed,” he said.
“And of course its a great chance for first responders to reiterate the dangers connected with flooding and remind locals and visitors to the region not to risk entering floodwater as it only takes just 15 centimetres of water to float a small car,” he said.
“Don’t risk it. If there is water over the road turn around and find a safe route to your destination. It’s just not worth it,” he said.
The event is expected to be bigger than ever with close to 30 organisations attending, including the State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, DELWP/ Forest Fire Management Victoria, Red Cross, Disaster Legal Help Victoria, CSIRO-RMIT Evacuation Risk Modelling Project, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Wildlife Victoria and many more.
Among the exhibitors will be Powercor with their new emergency vehicle MERV.
Mobile Emergency Response Vehicle (MERV) was built after last year’s major storms caused widespread and extensive damage to power infrastructure. It will be used to support local communities during emergencies and prolonged power outages.
The vehicle will provide a central hub for Powercor to provide localised updates, and has on board a generator, flood lighting and phone charging facilities for residents.
The expo will also include a BBQ provided by the Lions Club, coffee cart, talks from first responders, demonstrations and activities for children including a petting zoo, a toy truck, face painting, lawn games, balloon art and more.
The expo will run from 11am to 3pm. Entry is free. A gold coin donations to the local CFA and SES is welcome.