We’ve Got This – Community Response Exercise in Yackandandah

We are partnering with Red Flag(External link) to lead two sessions to build community preparedness and leadership skills in emergency response at the Yackandandah Public Hall.

Local residents and emergency responders are invited to participate in both planning discussions and a live bushfire response simulation. This practical exercise aims to build realistic emergency response skills and confidence among community members for when they're most needed.

Scenario Discussion and Planning Session

When: Thursday 1 May

Time: 6-8pm - Dinner provided

Live Community Exercise

When: Tuesday 6 May

Time: To be determined at the scenario session.

Refreshments and activities for children will be provided at both sessions.

Registrations are essential: reserve your spot through the (External link)Community Resilience and Recovery Officer(External link)

Why are we delivering this workshop?

We received grant funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria(External link) to increase the resilience of our communities to the impacts of emergency events. These workshops build on the preparedness, resilience and planning workshops delivered through The First 72 Hours(External link) and Ready, Set, Recover!(External link) workshops.

In the event of a disaster, the key to effective real-time response is preparation.

By building on existing and combined strengths, the community and supporting organisations are able to work together and strengthen relationships to build local capacity and capability, rather than becoming more reliant on broader systems and services provided by government, agencies and other providers.

The program develops local leadership skills, that will support local emergency responders and community members to have the confidence to replicate this workshop within community in the future.

About the workshop

Scenario Discussion & Planning Session

In the first few hours of any emergency or disaster, before outside support can get organised, it is the actions of local responders and community members that will have the greatest influence on local community outcomes.

In this 2-hour scenario workshop, we explore the realities faced in an emergency or disaster and how those challenges may be tackled – breaking down what’s required and developing the skills necessary to look after each other and the visitors who are already in your town.

• Participants will explore the challenges of a realistic emergency situation.
• Key response actions, roles, and skills will be identified.
• Safe gathering locations and other key community response considerations will be discussed.

Live Community Exercise

Building on the scenario session, these interactive workshops follow a community strengths-based approach designed to reduce the reliance on individuals, single groups, agencies and government by drawing upon current and potential local people and resources.

All the skills which may be required if the community becomes isolated, cut-off from systems and services and/or overwhelmed are already in your community. This workshop aims to unify them.

• Participants will receive a simulated emergency alert via text.
• They will respond by gathering at a predetermined location to coordinate their response.
• Role players will introduce realistic challenges to test community readiness and decision-making.

Program Outcomes:

• Improve community understanding of local emergency response realities.
• Build capacity, skills, and confidence to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
• Support the development of a community-led emergency plan.
• Clarify the roles of emergency response agencies (CFA, Parks Victoria, Victoria Police, FFMV, and Council) before, during, and after an emergency.
• Strengthen relationships between the local primary school and the broader community to support resilience-building efforts.