Hornsby residents urged to download app and 'get prepared'

Sydney’s Hornsby Shire Council (HSC) is helping residents to stay safe by downloading and completing an emergency plan on its ‘Get Prepared’ app. The council says it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in an emergency but research shows that the more people prepare for a disaster, the faster they recover.

The app helps residents connect with key support people, accomplish simple tasks, ensure loved ones are safe and protect the things that matter most to them.

Co-created by the Australian Red Cross and general insurer IAG, the free app offers a one-stop tool to help prepare for any type of emergency. Using Get Prepared, residents can:

• establish a custom network of support including three key contacts
• review risks relevant to where they live
• create an emergency plan including checklists of actions to take in an emergency
• save the emergency plan in PDF format to be printed and shared with others.
   

“The past few years have seen us experience a series of acute emergencies, and this year’s devastating floods have been unprecedented. As we continue to recover from the most recent events, it’s time to plan and prepare for what could be around the corner — be it floods, storms, bushfires or extreme heat,” said Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock.

“You can take practical steps like preparing an emergency kit with what you need for an emergency, and creating a plan using the Get Prepared App to keep it close to hand.”

HSC is a member of the Resilient Sydney program and is collaborating with the other councils in Sydney to create a connected, inclusive and resilient metropolis.  For more information or to download the app, visit https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/community/services/emergencies.