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Latrobe’s Safety Program In Demand In Queensland

Latrobe City Community Safety Planner, Henk Harberts, has addressed a combined senior management meeting of the Queensland Department of Emergency Services on community safety promotion issues in Latrobe City.

By Latrobe City Council - 15th November 2001 - Back to News

Latrobe City Community Safety Planner, Henk Harberts, has addressed a combined senior management meeting of the Queensland Department of Emergency Services on community safety promotion issues in Latrobe City.

Mr Harbert’s visit to Queensland was requested and paid for by the Queensland Department of Emergency Services, which is currently being restructured and is about to appointed a Director of Community Engagement.

"The position has a strong focus on community safety promotion and they were keen to hear about the way in which the Latrobe Valley was able to reduce the incidence of injury during the last few years," Mr Harberts explained.

"Latrobe City became an accredited demonstration site for the World Health Organisation ‘Safe Community’ Network in February 1996, mostly as a result of the community safety work done in the region by the forerunner of the current City Safety program," Mr Harberts said.

Mr Harberts spoke about the Latrobe Health Study findings and how the community was encouraged to reduce injury and promote safety. "The results of that work were evaluated by the Monash University Accident Research Centre and released in 1997. Since that time Latrobe City Council has taken responsibility for integrating safety into core business and is often called upon to share its experiences," Mr Harberts said.

"The Queensland presentation coincided with the opening of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Academy, based at Whyte Island near the mouth of the Brisbane River. This very modern facility is a joint training facility funded by the Queensland Government, Caltex Refineries and the Port of Brisbane Authority.

"Bushfires, floods, the Longford Gas Plant explosion and the more recent Gas pipeline emergency near Moe are all reminders of the need to prepare responses and be highly trained to deal with emergencies. However, much can be done to minimise the potential for danger to life in the first place, by working in partnership with agencies and most importantly the community in demonstrable injury prevention programs such as practiced in Latrobe. The new Fire and Rescue Academy has recognised the need for such partnerships to be formed," Mr Harberts said.

"The Queensland Department is also providing pilot funding to initiate the first WHO ‘Safe Community’ in Queensland, based in the Mackay/Whitsunday region – mostly as a result of the success of the Latrobe City and World Health Organisation ‘Safe Community’ model," Mr Harberts added.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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