Disasters: Preparedness

In the Australian context we are often familiar with floods, drought, storms and cyclones, and bushfires. The following resources are relevant for parents, other carers and professionals to address the needs of children, families, and school communities for potential disaster events. These resources can address planning and preparing, how parents, other carers and teachers can help with this, and how children and young people can be involved. The advice should be considered in the context of existing disaster preparedness and planning advice published by relevant and local emergency management organisations.

Resources for practitioners

Disaster preparedness tipsheet

 333.02 KB pdf

This tipsheet by Professor Beverley Raphael outlines the main strategies that should be utilised in disaster preparedness.

Preparedness: Facing future disasters

 123.93 KB pdf

This resource by Professor Beverley Raphael outlines the need for and benefits of disaster preparedness for children and families.

Preparing children for the bushfire season

A video on ANU Channel of YouTube: Professor Beverley Raphael discusses how families and children can prepare themselves for the bushfire season and the value of doing so.

Preparing children for the threat of bushfire: Information for parents and carers

 308.57 KB pdf

This brochure from ACATLGN and the Australian Psychological Association provides ways of assisting parents and carers to help children manage their fears and to have a greater sense of being in control in threatening bushfire situations.

Other resources

Emergency management planning for children and young people

 1.87 MB pdf

State Government Victoria
This manual has been written for state governments and features many important areas to take into consideration in emergency management planning.

Get Ready!: A workbook for children

 677.28 KB pdf

Australian Red Cross
This is an activity booklet and separate activity sheets for children about a range of natural disasters and how they can be prepared. Contains a range of pencil-and-paper activities, cut-and-paste stickers and an emergency card for children to complete. These resources may be useful classroom activities.

Post-disaster reunification of children: A nationwide approach

USA
This document provides essential information to support efforts in reunifying children separated from their parents or carers following a disaster.
 

Psychological preparation for natural disasters

Australian Psychological Society
An APS tip sheet explaining the importance of being psychologically prepared and steps for psychological preparation.

Links

Emergency Management Australia

This website provides links to preparedness and emergency management strategies.

Emergency Management for Schools website

Emergency Management Australia
The Australian Government's schools education program supports the learning and teaching of disaster preparedness and risk reduction to enhance community resilience to the effects of disasters. The program provides a range of publications, videos and interactive learning games for students, teachers and the general public.

Updated:  29 March 2024/Responsible Officer:  Director ACATLGN/Page Contact:  Director ACATLGN