Emergency services and volunteers were seeking additional funding during the Greater Shepparton City Council’s May Meeting, with cold weather season highlighted as a higher risk period for emergency incidents.
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The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is designed to raise money and recruit volunteers for the 35,000 emergency callouts a year in Victoria – bringing in more fire rescue teams, ambulance services, and resources for local emergency volunteers across regional Victoria.
Due to spending caps on emergency services, there are ongoing concerns that funding for the ESVF may be generated by increasing local property taxes for residents across Greater Shepparton.
To balance the economic impact of increasing emergency resources, the local government has provided an alternative to paying this increase – joining the cause by becoming a volunteer allows you to claim a rebate for one property per volunteer.
Local emergency service providers are also advising Greater Shepparton residents to prepare their homes and household for winter seasonal risks to ensure reduced reliance on emergency services over the coming months.
Preparing your Property for Winter Weather
Winter storm season in Shepparton is accompanied by elevated risks of flooding and moisture damage to local residences.
As a result, emergency service providers are strongly advising residents to prepare their properties for wet weather risks.
Property maintenance essentials to prepare for the reason include declogging roof gutters, assessing plumbing and wiring, and investing in weatherproofing.
Electrical storms are also on the horizon, so upgrading system components like fuse boxes and switch panels is essential for reducing your household’s risks of experiencing short circuits, burnt fuses, power outages, and even electrical fires.
Proactive maintenance is key, but in the event that you do need emergency electrical services, be sure to keep the contact information for an emergency electrician on your fridge and ensure that all members of your household are aware of which practitioners to contact in the event of a property maintenance emergency.
Winter Flood Risks in Shepparton
In the high country, it’s usually tourists and travellers who find themselves on the wrong end of a torrential rainstorm, but with more volatile weather recorded in May and June in Shepparton, emergency service providers are also insisting that Shepparton locals move with caution.
Shepparton’s location on the floodplains of the Goulburn River has historically made the region susceptible to flooding – however this year’s rainfall numbers to date indicate escalating climate dangers.
Floodproofing your property is also highly recommended to minimise risks of your property accruing excess water damage over the coming winter season.
Residents are also advised to keep an ear to weather reports – this can be done via the radio or emergency weather updates via SMS and smartphone alerts.
Flood evacuation planning is also essential for Shepparton households in the lead-up to the winter season.
If your family is yet to prepare your evacuation procedures, make this a priority in your winter safety planning.
You can learn more about Greater Shepparton’s flood history and the city’s Municipal Flood Emergency Plan at the Victoria State Emergency Services website.
Out-of-Season Bushfires
It’s strange but true, Victoria winters can cause both flash floods and bushfires. South west Victoria particularly has been experiencing a warm, dry winter that is facing an increased winter bushfire risk.
To help combat this, you can check that your smoke detectors are in order, and perform safe, registered burnoffs of dry materials that could alight.
Whilst fire restrictions have already been lifted across Shepparton, emergency service providers still warn about the elevated risks of electrical fires resulting from flood damage to properties across the region.
How Shepparton Residents can Stay Informed
On top of outlining more information about Shepparton’s flood risks, the Victorian State Emergency Services also provides plenty of resources to help you keep abreast of weather issues.
These include:
- The Vic Emergency Map
The Vic Emergency Map shows all current issues in Victoria, which included flooding, fires, and even trees down in an area.
Check the map regularly during times of uncertain weather, and keep alerts on too.
- Australian Warning System
The AWS is a set of red, orange, and yellow signs to warn of hazards like bushfires and flooding.
Yellow denotes a hazard without immediate danger, meaning it's something to keep up to date with.
Orange means it’s time to start preparing to leave or take action. Red means that you are in immediate danger and must act.
- Emergency Alert System
The Emergency Alert system sends voice messages and texts to the phones of people in hazardous areas.
Keeping an eye out for these warnings is also useful, though they should not be relied on, as it’s better to act when you perceive danger.
- Family Emergency & Safety Planning Tips
The key to effective emergency preparedness is covering even small logistical details.
This means considering preparedness steps like having your phone fully charged by carrying a charger in your car and battery packs in your go kits.
Here are some other essential safety planning tips that are being recommended to Greater Shepparton residents this season:
- Emergency Kits
Alongside bandages and other medical essentials, food, water, and essential medication should be kept in your emergency kit to ensure you’re fully prepared for a potential evacuation this winter.
At home, sentimental items like photo albums or awards should be kept together, ideally in a box that’s ready to go if a flood warning is given.
In the event of flash flooding where there may not be adequate time to collect sentimental items, emergency service providers always advise leaving these belongings behind and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your family.
- Develop an Emergency Plan
Your family should be practiced and prepared to evacuate your house in the event of an emergency.
This means knowing evacuation routes and procedures, as well as who to contact and where to meet.
Ensure all members of your household have access to your emergency plan on their devices (i.e. as a downloaded digital file for easy offline access).
- Coordinate With Friends & Family
Your friends and neighbours may also benefit by knowing your emergency plan, being able to help out as emergency contacts, providing safe meeting points, or joining your evacuation.
Prepare your Home & Household for Seasonal Winter Risks
Emergency services stress that preparedness is key to safety during the winter months.
By staying informed and taking proactive measures, Shepparton residents can navigate the season's challenges more effectively, protect their home and household against the winter risks outlined by emergency service providers, and reduce their reliance on both state and volunteer local emergency services.
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