Let’s get ready together

Forecasts of hotter and drier conditions are prompting Australians to think about emergency readiness. EmergencyRedi Week shines a spotlight on the power of planning, connection and community resilience.

As Australia faces an increasingly complex disaster landscape, one thing is becoming clear: resilience starts long before an emergency occurs.

Floods, bushfires, storms, cyclones and heatwaves are no longer rare events for many communities. Australian Red Cross research shows that more than five in six Australians* will experience a disaster or emergency during their lifetime. While the hazards may differ across the country, communities continue to share a common lesson from these experiences: being prepared can make a significant difference.

This message is especially relevant as Australia heads into a period of heightened climate risk. The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that El Niño conditions are underway, bringing an increased likelihood of hotter and drier conditions across parts of southern and eastern Australia. These conditions can elevate the risk of heatwaves, bushfires and drought in many regions.

When people think about emergency preparedness, they often focus on practical actions such as packing an emergency kit, creating a household emergency plan or monitoring weather warnings. While these steps are important, experience shows that preparedness is about more than supplies and checklists.

Strong communities are built on strong connections

The neighbour who checks in during a heatwave. The local volunteer who shares trusted information before a storm. The community group helping residents stay informed during flood season. These everyday relationships strengthen social cohesion and build the trusted networks that communities often depend on most when a disaster strikes.

The impacts of emergencies can extend well beyond the immediate event. Recovery can involve challenges related to mental health, finances, housing, education, relationships and social connection. For many people, the effects continue long after the floodwaters recede or the fire front has passed.

This is why building resilience before an emergency matters

Across Australia, Red Cross volunteers work alongside communities to strengthen both preparedness and connection. Through programs such as RediPlan, RediCommunities and Community-led Resilience Teams (CRTs), communities are supported to understand local risks, identify strengths and prepare for future emergencies.

Community-led Resilience Teams are one example of how local action can strengthen preparedness. Established following Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017, these locally driven groups bring residents together to prepare for hazards including floods, bushfires, storms, cyclones and heatwaves.

Importantly, their work goes beyond emergency planning. By building trusted communication networks, developing local leadership and strengthening relationships between residents, these groups help create the connections that communities rely on during times of crisis.

In many regional and remote communities, neighbours are often among the first people able to provide support during an emergency. Strong local networks can help vulnerable residents access assistance, enable trusted information to move quickly and foster a greater sense of belonging long before disaster occurs.

As EmergencyRedi Week approaches from 14 to 20 September, Australians are being encouraged to take simple steps to prepare themselves, their households and their communities.

Getting prepared does not need to be complicated. Understanding local risks, creating a household emergency plan and having conversations with family, friends and neighbours can all help improve readiness for future emergencies.

With El Niño increasing the likelihood of hotter and drier conditions across parts of Australia, now is an important time for people to think about what preparedness looks like in their own communities. [bom.gov.au]

Emergencies may be unavoidable, but their impacts can be reduced when people are informed, prepared and connected. This EmergencyRedi Week, Australians are being reminded that resilience is not built alone. It is built through the relationships, trust and community spirit that help people support one another before, during and after disaster strikes.