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This article was published on Monday, 3 August, 2015. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Residents surveyed on emergency preparedness

They will invite people living in areas at risk of flood, bushfire or storm to share their views about how they prepare for an emergency.

Via www.igem.vic.gov.au

A new survey will help determine how Victorians prepare for flood, bushfire and storm emergencies.

In the coming weeks, the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) will invite a number of residents living in areas at risk of flood, bushfire or storm to share their views about how they prepare for an emergency.

Inspector-General Tony Pearce said that the results of the telephone survey will help improve how Victoria prepares for emergencies.

“We will use the results of this telephone survey, as well as other research, to identify ways we can improve emergency management arrangements in helping Victorian communities prepare for emergencies,” Mr Pearce said.

The survey is designed to gather information on:

residents’ levels of preparedness and awareness of risks
what action people have taken to prepare for emergencies
how communities gain knowledge and skills to prepare for emergencies
whether preparedness and awareness activities have helped communities before, during and after an emergency.

The telephone survey will involve randomly-selected residents of the Alpine Shire, City of Greater Shepparton, Knox City Council and the Colac Otway and Surf Coast shires, and will target areas at risk of flood, storm or bushfire.

The survey is being undertaken as part of IGEM’s annual review program developed in consultation with its emergency management partners.

“Through the review, ‘Connecting with and preparing communities for major emergencies in Victoria’ we are seeking to identify and analyse what information, skills and knowledge communities need, can realistically expect and be provided before emergencies,” Mr Pearce said.

IGEM will also consult with representatives from the emergency management sector, subject matter experts and relevant research entities to inform this review.

The review will be complete by the end of the year.

You can find more information on this legitimate survey here:http://bit.ly/EmergPhSrvy