Disability Inclusive Emergency Preparedness in Cessnock
Cessnock City Council is committed to building a safe, prepared and resilient community where everyone can take part in emergency planning. Disability Inclusive Emergency Preparedness (DIEP) ensures that people with disability, their carers, and support networks are supported to plan for, respond to and recover from emergencies in ways that reflect their strengths, needs and lived experience.
Emergencies in the Cessnock Local Government Area such as bushfire, flood, storms, heatwaves and power outages can create additional challenges for some members of our community. Inclusive planning helps reduce these impacts and strengthens community resilience across the Hunter.
Why inclusion matters
People with disability may face a range of barriers during emergencies, including:
- Mobility, sensory or communication needs
- Reliance on assistive technology or powered medical devices
- Support needs that change under stress or unfamiliar environments
- Limited access to transport or evacuation options
- Increased vulnerability to heat, smoke or extended power loss
Recognising these factors early allows individuals, families, service providers and emergency services to plan ahead and respond safely.
Council's approach
Cessnock City Council uses an inclusive, partnership-based approach guided by:
- Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP): supporting personalised planning that identifies strengths, support needs and practical strategies for a range of hazard scenarios.
- Local collaboration: working with disability service providers, carers, health agencies, community groups, and emergency services across the Cessnock LGA.
- Accessible communication: ensuring emergency information is easy to understand, available in multiple formats and compatible with assistive technologies.
- Building capability: supporting organisations and frontline staff to integrate inclusive practice into their emergency plans and continuity arrangements.
What we are doing in the Cessnock LGA
Inclusive Workshops and Co-Design
Council supports disability-inclusive emergency planning workshops that bring together people with disability, support providers, and emergency services. These sessions focus on practical, local strategies that reflect the needs of our community.
Improving Accessibility of Information
We are reviewing and updating Council’s emergency preparedness information to ensure it is clearer, more accessible, and easier to use during stressful events.
Partnerships with Local Providers
Council works closely with NDIS providers, aged care organisations, community transport operators, and local support networks to strengthen preparedness and communication before emergencies occur.
Supporting Community Preparedness
We share resources such as the P-CEP workbook, local hazard information, and preparedness guides to help individuals and families create tailored emergency plans.
How to get prepared
For people with disability
Download a P-CEP workbook to start your personalised emergency plan, following the four steps:
- Identify strengths and support needs in everyday life.
- Know your level of emergency preparedness and understand local hazards.
- Plan how you will manage support needs in an emergency.
- Communicate and collaborate with your support network to address gaps.
You can request a hard copy of the P-CEP workbook from Council.
For carers, families and support workers
- Review plans regularly as needs change.
- Discuss how to communicate effectively during emergencies.
- Prepare backup arrangements for transport, equipment and continuity of care.
- Ensure you understand any sensory, behavioural or communication considerations.
For organisations and support services
- Review your internal emergency and continuity plans through a disability-inclusive lens.
- Complete your Organisational Emergency Preparedness Profile here
- Consider how you will communicate with clients and staff during fast-moving events.
- Participate in emergency preparedness training and sector workshops.
- Engage with your clients to support completion of personalised emergency plans.
Local hazards to consider in Cessnock
- Bushfire: particularly in rural villages and areas bordering National Parks.
- Flooding: including fast-rising creeks and low-lying bridges and causeways across the LGA.
- Severe storms and wind events
- Heatwaves: which may impact people reliant on powered equipment.
- Extended power outages: affecting medical devices, refrigeration, and communication.
Understanding how these hazards may affect your specific needs is an important part of the planning process.
Upcoming workshops and events
Council supports emergency preparedness workshops and pop-ups for people with disability, carers, families, and service providers across Cessnock.
Visit our Events page to see if there are any upcoming sessions.
Contact us
If your organisation would like support, or if you would like to participate in future workshops or co-design activities, please contact Council’s Emergency Management & Resilience team:
Email: recovery@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 4993 4100