Minister announces Safer Communities winners
24th September 2009Ministerial media release
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today announced the New South Wales winners of the 2009 Safer Communities Awards.
Mr Whan said the Australian Safer Communities Awards recognised and encouraged outstanding practice and innovation by organisations involved in emergency management and protecting the community.
"Over a decade, these Awards have provided a showcase for Australia's expertise in preventing, planning for and responding to natural disasters and other emergencies," Mr Whan said.
"The 2009 NSW winners are the Hills Local Emergency Management Committee; NSW Rural Fire Service; University of NSW; and Anglicare NSW, the Australian Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul Society, Salvation Army and Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
"These organisations' five projects now become the NSW finalists in the national competition, with the winners to be announced later this year.
"Pittwater Council, Surf Life Saving Australia and the Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Fire Brigades and NSW Police Force also have been commended for three projects.
"All 13 organisations are to be congratulated for their work to help develop and maintain a safe and sustainable community and to support emergency management in NSW," he said.
"As we see whenever disaster strikes, our emergency management sector has a vast store of experience and expertise that can be drawn upon to help those in need.
"We all benefit from the contribution these organisations make to our safety here in NSW, whether they are public sector emergency services, local governments or community-based agencies."
The Safer Communities Awards are open to agencies in the Federal and State emergency management sector, as well as business, local government, research, community and volunteer-based organisations.
2009 NSW Safer Communities Awards winners
Local Government
The Hills Local Emergency Management Committee for its Annual Emergency Expo promoting public safety initiatives and the work of emergency response organisations.
State Government
The NSW Rural Fire Service for its Canobolas Project, which drew on local knowledge and community experience in a whole-of-landscape approach to fire management planning.
Non-Profit
Anglicare NSW, the Australian Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army and Adventist Development & Relief Agency for their joint Interagency Team Leader Training to build skills, knowledge and understanding in disaster recovery.
Voluntary
the NSW Rural Fire Service for its Gosford Community Engagement Group's localised bushfire education project to help residents prepare for the risk of bush fires.
Education, Training & Research
University of NSW for its Don't Get Sucked in by the RIP, which raises awareness of the rip hazard on our beaches, explaining what rips are, how they behave, how to spot them and how to act appropriately if caught in one.
Highly commended
Local Government
Pittwater Council for its Disaster Management Strategy to enable an effective response to disaster and emergencies.
State Government
The Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Fire Brigades and NSW Police Force for their joint Emergency Helpers Program to help children between three and five years of age learn essential emergency procedures, such as calling Triple Zero for help.
Non Profit
Surf Life Saving Australia for its Surf Life Saving Emergency Response System providing a sole point of contact, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help provide faster response times for aquatic-related emergencies along the NSW coastline.
Please contact Emergency Management NSW to request further photos of the New South Wales winners of the 2009 Safer Communities Awards
Minister announces Safer Communities winners (PDF 34KB)