Hearing disaster preparedness messages loud and clear
Each year, Queenslanders are asked to prepare their homes for the severe weather season.
And with its community vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods, Townsville City Council understands the benefits of being prepared.
Council is committed to ensuring everyone has access to the resources and support they need to stay safe during emergencies.
That's why, in November 2022, Townsville City Council, in conjunction with Queensland State Emergency Services, utilised Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Get Ready Queensland program to hold their first Get Ready Workshop.
Open to everyone within the community, the workshop attracted a woman by the name of Eloise, whose hearing impairment made it difficult for her to fully engage in and get the most out of the session.
After the workshop, Eloise expressed her desire to organise a disaster preparedness information session specifically for the deaf community.
From that suggestion, Townsville City Council partnered with local members of the Townsville SES Unit and Deaf Connect to host a first-of-its-kind disaster preparedness workshop targeting Townsville’s deaf and hard of hearing community.
Council worked with Deaf Connect to promote the workshop, sending registrations to all Deaf Connect clients, including those in neighbouring local government areas, and advertising on all their media platforms.
To help deliver the workshop, 16 SES volunteer presenters were trained in the use of sign language, enabling them to meet and greet participants.
Each volunteer who presented was also paired with an AUSLAN interpreter, including the legendary Mikey Webb, best known for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attracting more than 30 participants, the workshop was designed to build resilience and reduce reliance on external help, with participants receiving guidance on personalising their emergency plan, understanding their individual risk, and practical skills such as sandbagging and water diversion.
This tailored approach provided those attending with the knowledge and skills they need to feel prepared, connected, and supported before, during and after a severe weather event.
It proved to be a winning formula, with all participants providing positive feedback.
Participants appreciated the opportunity to engage in an inclusive environment where they felt comfortable asking questions and interacting with experts.
The workshop also equipped them with the knowledge to educate others within the deaf community and their broader networks.
Evidence of the workshop’s value came in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, which impacted Townsville in January 2024.
Deaf Connect reported people who attended the workshop felt more prepared and had emergency plans in place, as opposed to those who didn't take part.
Successfully delivering tailored disaster resilience education for a targeted vulnerable group has now prompted Townsville City Council to plan additional workshops for other vulnerable groups within the community.
Similarly, local SES has initiated conversations within north Queensland to expand the concept and run workshops in other council areas.
The success of council's Get Ready Workshop saw them take out the top award in the Local Government category at the 2024 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards, and also get shortlisted as a finalist for the National Resilient Australia Awards.
