Meeting on bushfire recovery and preparedness

A MEETING to update the community on Upper Derwent Valley bushfire recovery and preparedness will be held at Maydena this Wednesday evening. With summer approaching - and the first fire weather warning already issued - the Tasmania Fire Service invites the community of the Tyenna Valley in particular to hear how they can best prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

The Giant's Table, in Junee Rd, Maydena, will be the venue for a light supper at 6pm on October 30, where Dr Rob Gordon will talk about psychological preparedness for the coming bushfire season. He will also discuss the likely impacts on the community from the last bushfire season, and help people prepare themselves for the season ahead.

Dr Gordon has spent more than 30 years working with people affected by emergencies and natural disasters. His first-hand experience includes the aftermath of the Bali bombings and Christchurch earthquake, Black Saturday, the Canberra firestorm as well as many other large-scale disasters around the world.

Peter Middleton from the TFS Bushfire Ready Neighbourhoods program will share the seasonal outlook and five steps to a safer summer. The Red Cross will provide resources for people to take home on planning and preparedness as well as more information on psychological first aid.

The meeting will be held this Wednesday, October 30, from 6-7.30pm, at the Giants’ Table, 9-13 Junee Rd, Maydena. For catering purposes, those attending the meeting are asked to RSVP to Alyson Watts on 0456 629 722. Transport to the event is available from Westerway, and may be arranged from National Park, Tyenna or Fitzgerald on request to  Alyson Watts on 0456 629 722.

Download a free copy of the Bushfire Survival Guide here.