"The 2019-20 bushfire season was the most devastating bushfire season in NSW and Mid Coast regional history," MidCoast Council mayor, David West said.

"We have seen our community really pull together to help each other recover from the impact of these fires, and that is ongoing," he said.

"I am sure that as a community, and as individuals, we will all make an extra effort this year, to ensure everyone is prepared and has a bushfire emergency plan."

Local NSW RFS brigades will be throwing their doors open, or holding events to help you find information and Get Ready for the bushfire season ahead.

For more information on your local brigade event, and to get started on preparing for the season ahead, visit the MidCoast Council get ready page, while the emergency hub, at has information to help Mid Coast residents plan and prepare for a range of hazards, and be disaster ready.

While the focus for Get Ready is on being prepared for future fire events, we know that many on the Mid Coast are still recovering from the tragic impacts of the Black Summer fires which swept through our region in November last year, Cr West said.

For Don Pattison and Cheryl Pacey, who lost their Caparra home on Friday, November 8 2019 when the Rumba Dump fire spread out of control, the most important thing we can all do is to continue to support and encourage those in our communities who are still recovering.

Don says to those who are recovering: "If you reach out to your local community, I'm sure they will do what they can to help you."

He encourages all those affected by the fires to seek out help, with checking the website link below a good start.

And Don says for those of us who are reaching out to people recovering, once is not enough: "People will respond they are okay, but you need to go back (and check in) three, four, five, six times before they will say 'you know what, I could do with a hand'."

Don and Cheryl have shared their inspiring story of resilience, recovery and rebuilding their home with MidCoast Council.

For bushfire recovery assistance and to view Don and Cheryl's story, visit the recovery from bushfire events page or call 7955 7777.

If the videos, or reminders of the bushfires are causing issues for you, please call the Mental Healthline on 1800 011 511.

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