Emergency preparedness through community sector engagement in the Blue Mountains

There is an expectation that communities exposed to potential disaster events will make preparations for themselves (COAG 2011). However, communities are frequently underprepared for the onset and results of disaster and a default response is to rely on emergency services organisations. This reliance is exacerbated by the presence within communities of highly vulnerable individuals who, because of age, infirmity or isolation, require additional levels of assistance by responders. Partnerships between community organisations and emergency services organisations can build preparedness by using programs that increase emergency response awareness. This paper provides a study of two partnership programs established by the community and emergency services sectors in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. These programs successfully raised the level of emergency preparedness and community resilience to disasters.