Are You Ready for an Emergency? HERRD Families Get Prepared with Australian Red Cross
Recently, HERRD (Home Education Regional & Rural Discussion) hosted an online Emergency REDi workshop with the Australian Red Cross. Supported by NRMA and Homeschool Hotline, the workshop gave regional and rural homeschooling families the opportunity to learn more about emergency preparedness and making plans before extreme weather events impact our homes and communities.
Homeschooling parents and their teenagers were invited to participate in a 90-minute interactive presentation, taking time to consider their household's needs, identify what situations might trigger an emergency and think about how they could better prepare.
It's Not Just the Humans We Need to Think About!
It soon became clear that, alongside our loved ones and important documents, regional and rural families often have a lot of animals and pets to consider in an emergency. We discussed where we might evacuate to if needed and whether an alternative to an evacuation centre might actually be more comfortable for our families in these high-pressure situations.
As a family without relatives living nearby, this got me thinking. Who could I call on in a disaster? Where could my family of six, with two dogs, guinea pigs, fish and a lizard, actually go?
When the Highway Is Your Lifeline
It also got me thinking about the emergencies our own town has experienced in the past. While my home hasn't been directly affected by a disaster, we've been caught out on the highway many times, cut off in both directions and needing emergency accommodation. We've also experienced the town being cut off from supermarket restocking deliveries.
Mother Nature doesn't discriminate, and living regionally or rurally can bring some additional challenges when emergencies occur.
Your Friendly Reminder
So, this is a little reminder to our workshop participants to follow up on their workshop notes and take the time to make an official emergency plan, involving the whole family in the actions needed to get prepared early. It's just as much a reminder for me as it is for you!
If you already have a 72-hour pack or emergency kit, have you checked it recently? Are your documents up to date? Are your medications, snacks and toiletries still in date, or have some expired? Have your kids grown out of their changes of clothes? Is everyone going to be wearing midriffs and three-quarter-length tight pants 3 sizes too small?
Have you spoken with friends, neighbours or colleagues about how you might help each other if disaster strikes?
Even some simple things are worth discussing. Where will your family meet if communication networks go down? Who will pick up whom? Does everyone know important phone numbers or passwords, and can they access the information they need if their phone isn't available?
A little preparation can go a long way.
Learning Beyond the Australian Curriculum
In homeschooling, we embrace learning in all sorts of ways, not just through the Australian Curriculum. Why not use this as an opportunity to teach practical life skills and get your family prepared?
It could make a great family learning activity, particularly when the kids are involved in identifying risks, making decisions and contributing to the household emergency plan.
The workshop wasn't about creating fear or expecting the worst. It was about building confidence, understanding risks and recognising that a little preparation can make a big difference.
Keep the Learning Going
We've gathered some additional Australian Red Cross and community resources to help families take the next steps.
First Aid & Mental Health Training
Australian Red Cross First Aid Courses – Use code REDES10 for 10% off first aid classes and kits.
Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Weather & Emergency Information
Family & Baby Preparedness
Further Events
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
For families living outside major centres, being prepared can be especially important. Help may not always be just around the corner, and circumstances can change quickly.
At HERRD, we want to create opportunities for regional and rural homeschooling families to connect and access valuable learning experiences.
A big thank you to the Australian Red Cross for sharing their knowledge and hosting this free workshop for our families, and to NRMA and Homeschool Hotline for supporting the opportunity.
Remember: The best time to make an emergency plan is before you need one.
