2009 Australian Safer Communities Awards

Do you have a project that improved resilience in your community?

If so the 2009 Safer Communities Awards may be the perfect way to promote and recognise your achievements in your own community and beyond. The awards cover all aspects of community safety in the context of emergency management, risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and work on two levels.

The closing date for applications is 3 July 2009.

More information on the 2009 Australian Safer Communities Awards

Emergency Management Training

The Emergency Management training calendar has been updated for 2009-2010.

Courses and exercises are offered by the NSW State Emergency Management Committee, NSW State Rescue Board and the Attorney General's Department. Training is delivered by 18 District Emergency Management Officers throughout the state.

More information on Courses offered
More information on Training calendar
More information on Emergency Management Training

Human swine influenza

Human cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) have been confirmed in several countries by the World Health Organization. NSW Health is working very closely with State and Commonwealth Government agencies to investigate and respond to this situation.

NSW Health advises the community to be aware and alert to flu symptoms if recently returning from affected countries overseas, including USA, Canada and Mexico. The NSW Government has made human swine influenza a notifiable disease.

More information on Human swine influenza - NSW Department of Health

Far North Coast severe storm emergency

The local government areas of Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Port Macquarie - Hastings, Nambucca, Kempsey, Tweed, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley have been declared Natural Disasters following severe storms and flooding on the Far North Coast.

Four State Government Disaster Recovery Centres are open to help residents in flooded communities along the Northern NSW coast. The centres provide advice and support to residents, primary producers, small business people and others who have suffered damage and hardship.

A range of payments and schemes are available to assist those who have been adversely affected by the storms and flooding on the Far North Coast.

More information on the Far North Coast severe storm emergency

Are you prepared?

Being prepared is as easy as 1, 2, 3 ...

An emergency - be it a natural disaster such as a flood or storm, bushfire, a power outage or a terrorist act - can occur quickly and without warning. You can become better prepared to protect yourself and your family in the event of an emergency by following three safety steps.

More information on Being prepared