Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, has paid a visit to the Blacktown Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to thank frontline workers for keeping the City safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The EOC was established at Mt Druitt Police Station in July in response to the latest COVID-19 outbreak and to assist the Blacktown City community with food and welfare needs during lockdown.
For almost two months, the Centre has worked hand in hand with Blacktown City Council, NSW Police, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Ambulance, the Department of Communities and Justice, Transport for NSW and 36 local charities.
“On behalf of Blacktown City Council, I wish to thank our hard-working emergency crews and volunteers for their incredible work during this toughest stage of the pandemic so far,” said Mayor Bleasdale.
“Our local police are doing a fantastic job assisting those in our community who have contracted the virus, as well as their families and those who have been forced to isolate.
“Our City is fortunate to have dozens of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring nobody goes hungry – packing and delivering food hampers for those in need.”
Mt Druitt Police Inspector Guy Magee said of the Centre, “Our function primarily is to support the State Government in the implementation of the Public Health Orders and to ensure the appropriate mechanisms are in place around welfare and messaging – and to make sure nobody is falling through the cracks or going hungry”.
“The main ways we’re doing this are through our partnerships with Council, non-government organisations and cultural leaders in the community to identify any emerging issues,” he said.
Foodbank, The Pacific Islands Mt Druitt Action Network and Meals on Wheels are just some of the many community organisations working long hours to help some of the City’s most vulnerable and isolated residents.
Since the end of July, the Foodbank distribution centre in Glendenning has delivered more than 30,000 food packages across Blacktown City alone.
Mayor Bleasdale thanked emergency services staff and volunteers for their invaluable work.
“Thank you to our EOC staff and local charities for their unwavering dedication at this time,” he said.
“Together, Blacktown City can get through this if we stay safe, wear a mask and get vaccinated.”
