What a disasterThere are several kinds of disasters from drought to cyclonesEVERYONE on Earth lives through con-stantly varying conditions. Significantchanges in the normal state of the Earthand its atmosphere can lead to extremeevents like droughts, floods, landslides,storms, cyclones, ocean and coastal surg-es, earthquakes, bushfires, heat wavesand cold snaps. These disasters usuallyoccur because of an upset in the Earth’snatural geographical or weather pat-terns, but human factors can also havean effect. Both can cause a change to ournormal living conditions.The impact these extreme conditionscan have on our lives can be devastating.

Natural disastersBushfires – a fire which burns out ofcontrol in a forest, scrub, woodland orgrassland is referred to as a bushfire orwildfire.Cyclone – an intense tropical low pres-sure system that produces gale forcewinds, torrential rain and often floodingand may result in damage to propertyand endanger life.Drought – a prolonged period where littleor no rain is recorded, causing dry condi-tions which means there is not enoughwater for the needs of people, animal andplants.Flood – occurs when water covers landthat is not usually submerged. This iscaused by prolonged or very heavy rain-fall, severe storms, tropical cyclones,monsoonal (wet season) rains in thetropics, snow-melt or dam failure. Fewplaces in this vast continent of ours areuntouched by this phenomenon.Heat wave – a prolonged period of

extremely hot and humid weather withlittle air movement to cool things down.As the temperature rises, people, ani-mals and plants can experience heatstress.Storm – a period of unsettled weatherconditions involving thunder, lightning,high wind, hail, heavy rain and dust.

THE SESThe State Emergency Service is a groupof volunteers who assist communitiesprepare for, respond to and recover froman event or disaster. Each state andterritory in Australia has an SES res-ponse agency made up of people from allwalks of life who have a common desireto help make their community safer. In adisaster, they support other emergencyservices, provide information, safetyadvice and arrange for the delivery ofessential supplies to people affected. Tocontact the State Emergency Serviceanywhere in Australia phone 132 500.

BE PREPARED●What is the risk of disaster in yourlocal area? Is it prone to flooding,bushfires or cyclones? It is importantto prepare yourself before disasterstrikes as natural hazards that affectus can cause major disruptions toessential services.Make an emergency and evacuationplan, prepare an emergency /evacuation kit, prepare your home,tune into warnings, check yourneighbours.

HAVE you ever come across a word inthe newspaper that you haven’t seenbefore, or don’t know what it means?This week’s word is OPTIMISMDefinition: To expect the best, to

have confidence; hopefulness.

What’s OnlineDisaster Resilience Education ForSchools. For teachers and students,this toolkit of disaster resilienceeducation resources focuses on bothindividual and community resilience.This online site provides resources

that are designed to be flexible toindividual learning styles and arealigned to curriculum.Go to schools.aemi.edu.au.

WHAT’S NEWS

NEXTWEEK’STOPIC:Kids Safe

NEXTWEEK’STOPIC:Kids Safe

Survive the stormBefore the Storm is an iPhone/ iPad/iPod touch game aimed at middleschool students that’s been adaptedto help students learn what they needto do before, during and after a storm.The game takes place in a house

owned by a mad scientist ablyassisted by iGor his Cyborg Lab Robot,Wolfman Elvis, The Thing and otherbeasties.The game is available as a free

download from the Apple-iTunesstore.For more information go to

schools.aemi.edu.au/Before-the-Storm

News in the SpotlightDiscuss the following topic and let usknow what you think.GIRLS CHARGED OVER BLAZEAs firefighters continue to grapple

with the early bushfire season, NewSouth Wales police have charged twounderage girls with lighting a fire inSydney’s west.Two girls, aged 12 and 13, were

allegedly seen lighting a grass fire ina reserve in Sydney’s west.Witnesses told police two girls

were seen lighting a blaze whichcovered between 20–30sq m beforethe fire was contained.Police arrested two girls a short

time later, taking them to the localpolice station then releasing thempending further investigations.

In Your OpinionWhat punishment should these girlsreceive if found guilty of starting thefire? Let us know what you think.Go to NiE online and postyour comment.

CHECK ITOUT

CHECK ITOUT

FIRE fighters from severalAustralian states were

desperately fighting 58 fireswhich were burning across whichAustralian state last week?

1

QUIZ TIMEEach week we willtest your knowledgeon what’s beenhappening in thenews. For theanswers visit NiE

online.

QUIZ TIMEEach week we willtest your knowledgeon what’s beenhappening in thenews. For theanswers visit NiE

online.

WHO did Australia playin an International Rules

series?

3

THE QueenslandGovernment have recently

introduced tough new legislationagainst what type of outlawgangs?

2

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