BM Resilience Group wins NSW 2015 Resilient Australia Award - Oct 13, 2015
The Blue Mountains Resilience and Preparedness Group formed following the October 2013 bushfires to improve community preparedness for emergency situations and has taken out the Community Award Category for the NSW 2015 Resilient Australia Award.
Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott paid tribute to all NSW winners of the Resilient Australia Awards and NSW ‘Get Ready’ Community during a ceremony at NSW Parliament House held on 13 October.
“These awards showcase the achievements of community groups, emergency services, state and local government, and education providers in making NSW communities safer, more resilient and better equipped when faced with emergencies,” Mr Elliott said.
There are two unique features to the work of the R&P Group. This includes the collaborative partnerships developed by community sector organisations (especially local neighbourhood centres), the Australian Red Cross, the emergency services sector (in particular the NSW Rural Fire Service), state and local government agencies and academics. Secondly the work undertaken by this group covers a broad spectrum of resilience and preparedness within the community and the community service’s sector.
The R&P Group aims to improve household preparedness for emergencies including practical and psychological preparedness; support volunteers working with vulnerable community members to engage clients in conversation about preparedness; and improve the community services sector’s capacity to respond to emergencies.
The Australian Red Cross were highly commended in the same category for their work in building resilience in recovery in the Blue Mountains.