Jo-Anne Hewitt: No matter what types of supports you provide or how large or small your organisation is, NDIS Providers must tailor risk management strategies to each individual’s needs and circumstances.
It’s not always easy to find a balance between ensuring people’s safety while respecting their independence and choices.
But it’s what we should strive to do every day as an NDIS Provider.
Lex Tan: There’s lots you can do to prepare yourself for emergencies and disasters, but don’t forget that your provider is there to help.
They have a responsibility to make sure you have a plan and to continue to support you during and after an event.
Simon De Silva: Do you have an evacuation plan?
Most of us don’t think about it until something happens, and sometimes that’s too late.
Being prepared and practising what you will do in an emergency are so important, especially when you are supporting people who may need extra support to stay safe.
Prepare a Go Bag, practise your evacuation drill, and if you have any questions, reach out to your local emergency service for expert advice.
Ricky Kremer: It’s helpful for me to know I am not alone in this.
Many NDIS Participants rely on their provider to support them through emergencies and disasters.
Some people will want them involved more than others.
But what matters is that we all have a voice and that you consider our individual needs and circumstances.
Thom Calma: The National Emergency Management Agency and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience have many resources and programs available to assist communities with emergency preparedness.
For example, you can reach out to your local Coordination and Planning Officer to find out what supports are available in your local area during and after an emergency or disaster.
Leyla Craig: Did you know that many emergency service organisations across Australia have community engagement teams that can provide information and resources about planning and preparing for emergencies and disasters?
The more we know who is in our local communities, the better prepared we can be to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Lex Tan: Did you know your local council plays an important role in planning and preparing communities for emergencies and disasters?
Providers should get in contact with your Local Emergency Management committee to see what they are doing to include people with disability in their planning.
Thom Calma: The Practice Standard is a guide for how providers can best support NDIS Participants in planning, preparing and responding to emergencies and disasters, and ensuring their organisation can continue to operate in adverse circumstances.
Beyond ticking boxes, you can use it to inform and improve your practice in emergency and disaster management.
Ricky Kremer: Don’t forget the value to be gained in involving NDIS Participants in your organisational planning.
Our insights into how we manage risk, plan business continuity and put effective safety measures in place are critical to getting things right.
Jo-Anne Hewitt: Leadership during emergencies and disasters is so important.
How we follow through on our plans and demonstrate adaptability and resilience gives our staff, participants and other stakeholders the confidence to do the same.