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Community emergency readiness survey

The fires of the 2025-26 summer highlighted how quickly emergencies can develop in rural communities and the importance of both individual preparedness and coordinated local response. West Wimmera Shire Council is undertaking this survey to better understand how prepared households across the shire are for emergencies such as bushfires and floods, including awareness of risks, access to information, and readiness to respond if an event occurs.

The information collected will help guide future emergency management planning, community education initiatives, communication strategies, and local resilience projects across West Wimmera.

It will also support Council and partner agencies, including CFA and SES, to better understand community needs and identify areas where additional support, resources or investment may be required.

Survey responses will be reviewed collectively to inform decision-making and planning. Individual privacy will be respected, and no personal identifying information will be shared without consent.
1.Which township or locality in West Wimmera Shire do you live in?
Section 1: Risk and awareness
2.How would you rate the risk of a bushfire or flood affecting your property in the next 12 months?
3.How confident are you in your ability to interpret official emergency warnings (e.g., advice, watch and act, emergency warning)?
4.Do you have a "go bag" or emergency kit prepared with essentials (water, battery-powered radio, torch, first aid)?
Section 2: Planning and logistics
5.Does your household have a written and practiced emergency action plan?
6.Have you undertaken any property preparation activities to reduce risk?
7.If your primary exit route was blocked by fire or water, do you have a secondary route pre-identified?
8.What is your plan for pets or livestock during an emergency?
9.Do you know the location of your nearest Neighbourhood Safer Place or community assembly point?
Section 3: Response and recovery
10.What is your primary trigger point for leaving your property?
11.If you decide to leave your residence where do you plan to go?
12.Are your essential documents (insurance, ID, wills and property documents) stored in an easily accessible and waterproof format?
13.How will you receive emergency information if the power is out and the mobile phone network fails?
Section 4: Local resilience resources
14.Which of the following local resources are you aware of or currently using to improve your understanding of emergency risks within the West Wimmera Shire? (Select all that apply)
Thank you for completing this survey. Please ensure all members of your household are aware of your emergency plans and arrangements.