Students on ‘Red Alert’ for disasters

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today launched the Red Alert DVD, a resource designed to prepare school students for natural disasters.

Mr Roberts said there are few tools available to assist young people ready themselves for the sudden onset events such as cyclones and tsunamis.

“The aim of this important initiative was to create a resource for young people and to engage them in being part of that process,” Mr Roberts said.

“It’s a wonderful idea and I take great pleasure in officially launching the Red Alert DVD today.”

While the project was developed by the Department of Emergency Services and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), much of the work was done by students themselves.

Funding was secured through Emergency Management Australia's Local Grants Scheme to the tune of $95,000. The Department of Emergency Services and LGAQ provided significant in-kind support, including key project staff time for product development and project management.  Emergency Management Queensland contributed $15,000 to the project.

The interactive DVD showcases stories of students who lived through Cyclone Larry in 2006, the 2005 Gold Coast floods and the 2002 Tara bushfires.

Artwork and interviews with students are featured along with safety advice on what to do before, during and after a disaster hits.

“A production team visited students in each location and held focus groups and creative arts workshops.

“Students were then involved in whole process from creating artwork to filming and editing.

“It was vital the students were able to tell their stories and share their own experiences in a format which would be attractive for other students.

“What we have ended up with is an extremely professional product which will now be a very valuable learning resource for students.”

Tara student Blaike Gunnis, 18, was one of those who took part in Red Alert.

“We were asked to tell our stories, what happened at the time of the bushfires, the sights, the sounds, the smells.

“It was really good for us to talk about it as we haven’t had much of a chance to tell our story; it was a very good experience for everyone involved,” Blaike said.

The finished DVD will be distributed across Queensland to, local councils and libraries.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 07 3247 8194, 0418 197 350
Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976