In January 2026, the Australian Red Cross held an Emergency Preparedness workshop at both the north and south community hubs of Chung Wah Community Care (CWCC). Dozens of community members attended, actively participating and sharing positive feedback.
The workshop focused on practical responses to various emergencies, with particular emphasis on the risks associated with extreme heat. The Red Cross highlighted that extreme heat is one of the deadliest natural hazards in Australia, and that seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions must take proactive steps to prepare. The session covered health risks linked to extreme heat and practical response strategies, including monitoring alerts from Emergency WA and the Bureau of Meteorology, staying hydrated, keeping cool, and checking in on oneself and others.
To help seniors from different language backgrounds, volunteers and care staff offered interpretation in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. The Red Cross also handed out information in several languages to clarify things. The speaker shared two main ideas: Be Informed and Be Organised. Participants learned how to spot potential risks, find reliable information during emergencies, keep important documents safe, check their insurance coverage, and plan for pets and other important items. These steps help lower stress and make it easier to respond when something unexpected happens.
At the end of the workshop, everyone received an eco-friendly shopping bag filled with useful emergency supplies. Many seniors said the session was clear and helpful, giving them a better understanding of emergencies, especially extreme heat, and making them feel more confident about how to respond.
This Emergency Preparedness seminar is part of Evergreen College, a CWCC program, and it is part of the 2026 term one theme, “Safe and Connected Communities.” By focusing on home and community safety, especially common risks such as extreme heat, the session provided seniors with useful knowledge. It highlighted the value of working together and supporting one another in the community.
