Creative Communities Connect is holding Emergency preparedness workshops at Lillifield 20th September and 11th October. The workshops are focussed on radio communication and general disaster planning.

Any residents who can attend are most welcome, however it would be good if those with handheld radios in particular could attend. Please let me know (Max) if you are planning to attend so I can let CCC know rough numbers.

I also want to organise some internal sessions for Nmbngee itself, but these inter-community sessions are also very helpful.

The workshop plans are as follows:-

First date scheduled – Lillifield Community Centre
Sunday 20th September 10am till 3.30pm
Morning Session – Discussion
Mid Session – Break up into our individual MO’s or Street groups, identify & plan for our individual group needs.
Afternoon – Come together again, exchange ideas and further discussion.
We then take the plan back to our community/group for further development etc .

2nd MeetUp- Lillifield Community Centre
Sunday 11th October 10am till 3pm
All return with our plans.
Discussion around any problems we have encountered within our communities etc
Plan our scheduled radio call-outs for the rest of Summer and a major scenario to be enacted across our
network.

Dear Nmbngee Residents.

I am writing to inform your community of the good news that Creative Communities Connect Inc has secured $10,000 grant money for a 50-watt commercial repeater.  This repeater will enable us not only to transmit to our Fixed radio operators across our Emergency Response Communities with more clarity and audio ability but will enable a broader community connection; e.g. Nimbin, and surrounds and possibly through to outskirts of Kyogle and Casino. The repeater will be an integral part of the relay communications up through the Tweed Region. Emergency Services will also be able to use this repeater as a back up to their resources.

Our Regional Fire Service has informed me that they are deeply concerned regarding the forecast for the following 2 Summers.  High temperatures over extended periods are forecast.  So please prepare your properties and most importantly have your ‘fire ready’ evacuation plan on hand and the infrastructure for that in place as summer approaches.

Nmbngee Community has received 8 hand-held radios and a fixed radio with antenna (collectively valued at approx. $1640) through our FRRR funding body. This was a significant amount and Creative Communities Connect is accountable for the correct use of these resources.  Max Riethmuller has done a great job as the fixed radio operator for your community.  And we want to continue to support him with the radio component of your safety and communications before, during and post an emergency event. We therefore, urge you to again take up the preparedness in communication by monthly (and perhaps bio monthly call outs).  It is not just a matter of putting your radios on when an imminent emergency is looming. Things can ‘go wrong’ with your radio and if you don’t know how to correct the problem you are left without information that could save your life and those within your household at the time when it is most needed.  We cannot always rely on conventional main stream media to keep us up to date.  We know from past experience that communities have been left to fend for themselves and a community that is well-equipped with plans in place is more likely to come through such times.

Please note these hand-helds are not yours to keep but handed to you on condition that you use them and practice as a community with your monthly call-outs. If you would no longer like to be part of this essential communications team, please return these radios intact through your Secretary or an assigned member of your community to our Non-for-profit group.  We have had many requests for radios from those who wish to prepare before, during and after a major emergency event. And your returned radio would be given out to another recipient who will be willing to use them appropriately.

Creative Communities Connect will be having ‘Get Ready’ & radio training sessions commencing early September and will inform your community of these dates.  We hope to meet you all and together prepare for the summers ahead. 

In this topsy turvy global environment It is even more apparent that communities like yours are gems. Nmbngee has a long history of folks who had vision and the grunt to build a sustainable innovative lifestyle.  Multiple Occupancy communities have the capacity to be relatively independent and community ‘connectedness’ is the corner stone of their continued ability to embrace their original foundations of folks who want to think and live a safe and sustainable lifestyle.  Let’s meet our challenges ahead by working together in unity and understanding that we are responsible for our own and our neighbour’s well-being within our community.

Thanking you.

Yours in good faith.

Jeanette Dal Santo

On behalf of Creative Communities Connect Inc.