Disaster Website to Build Community Resilience

A new government funded website will help the emergency services sector prepare for natural disasters.

A new interactive website, set to help the emergency services sector and the community better understand and prepare for natural disasters, has been launched by the Federal Government.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Nicola Roxon launched The Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub saying the new website provides Australians with a “centralised disaster resource”.

“The Knowledge Hub gives Australians information to help them plan and better prepare for the challenges that emergencies like bushfires and floods present,” Roxon said.

“Police, State Emergency Services, Councils and Schools are just some groups that can connect and share experiences to improve community resilience to disasters.”

As well as providing research, resources and news relevant to emergency management, Roxon said that the Knowledge Hub allows users to provide feedback and share ideas.

The new website includes a research clearing house, an Australian disaster event database, cross-sectoral discussion forums and new media collaboration tools such as Twitter, allowing users to contribute resources, share information and interact.

Roxon said that the Knowledge Hub is funded by the Federal Government and supports the implementation of the Council of Australian Governments’ National Strategy for Disaster Resilience.

“The Strategy recognises that a national, coordinated and cooperative effort is needed to enhance Australia's capacity to prepare for, withstand and recover from disasters,” she said.