The First 72 Hours Program is an initiative designed to educate the community about emergency preparedness and the role of individuals, communities and Council in emergencies.

In Victoria, the program was initially developed through Corangamite Shire Council and further refined by Alpine and Moira Shire Councils to encourage other councils and communities to adopt the program. Complementary resources have been developed and are now freely available online including a first 72 hours information flyer and emergency plan template.

Training X was established in 2024 by Jessica Davison and Jai Edwards to provide disaster preparedness training for individuals and communities. With their extensive experience in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, particularly with small and remote communities, Training X is well placed to assist local government in delivering the First 72 Hour program.

Having worked extensively with disaster affected communities throughout Victoria, Training X is also well placed to provide these services from a trauma informed perspective.

While the resources to adopt the First 72 Hour program are readily available online, we have found that many local municipalities do not have the resources or capacity to deliver such programs themselves. This is where TrainingX can assist municipalities to deliver the program, such running interactive community engagement events at public events, to delivering tailored training to remote and/or vulnerable communities.

Through community conversations over the past five years, Municipalities may also be eligible for funding to undertake disaster preparedness and resilience training for their communities through Victorian and Commonwealth government community disaster resilience programs.

TrainingX has now worked with more than 80 communities and have gained significant experience and insight into the needs of these communities and the local municipalities in which they live.

Through conversations with similar communities over the past 5 years, TrainingX has seen the need for education about why it is important for community members to make an emergency plan. There are many resources available that explain how, but many community members do not necessarily understand why and have not developed their own emergency plan. Emergencies can be unexpected and unpredictable and based on our experience; it can take up to 72 hours before emergency services are able to support individuals and communities with relief and meet recovery needs.

There is growing pressure on Australian emergency sector resources. Agencies are being tested by consecutive, concurrent and compounding disasters. Damaged infrastructure may interrupt critical service deliver at the same time help is needed in more places. The preparedness of local communities and individuals and their ability to be self-reliant during the initial stages of a natural disaster or emergency is becoming increasingly important.

It is essential that individuals and communities have the necessary knowledge and capacity to meet their own needs 72 hours following an emergency, as emergency services may not be able to provide the most basic necessities, such as food, water and shelter. It is important that every household develops their own emergency plan so that they are well prepared to look after themselves and their communities for the first 72 hours.