Coinciding with the vibrant daytime festivities of the iconic Lismore Lantern Parade, Lismore City Council is set to host its first-ever Lismore Emergency Management Expo at The Quad on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
Running from 10.30am to 2.30pm, the free, family-friendly event will bring together a huge lineup of emergency services, government agencies, community organisations and support services to build community resilience and help residents prepare for local hazards.
The initiative delivers directly on Priority nine of Council’s Community Strategic Plan, aiming to provide an engaging, hands-on experience that educates the community on everything from floods, bushfires, and severe storms to landslips and fire ants.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the city was proud to progress community preparedness and resilience through this practical new initiative.
“We know how critical it is for our community to be prepared, and this expo is about giving residents the knowledge and tools they need before an emergency happens,” Mayor Krieg said.
“By bringing frontline responders, recovery agencies and Council resources together in one place, we are making it easier for families to learn how warnings work, collect vital safety resources, and build long-term resilience.
“It is about empowerment, education and making sure our community feels supported and connected to the agencies that keep us safe.”
A number of the participating emergency services have a long history of marching in the lantern parade over the years and will do so again this year, further strengthening the connection between local emergency agencies and the community.
Positioning the Expo within the well-attended Lismore Lantern Parade allows emergency management information and engagement activities to reach a broad cross-section of the community.
Lismore Lantern Parade Festival Director Jyllie Jackson said integrating the new Expo into the parade’s daytime footprint was a natural and positive fit.
“The Lantern Parade has always been about bringing our community together in a spirit of celebration and connection,” Jackson said.
“With thousands of locals and visitors already flocking to the CBD for the daytime activities and markets, it is a wonderful opportunity to use that energy to educate people on something so vital to our region’s resilience.
“We are thrilled to support Council in delivering this initiative alongside our festivities, making essential emergency preparedness practical, interactive, and completely accessible for families.”
The interactive expo will feature emergency service vehicles and equipment displays, safety demonstrations, and vital household planning resources, alongside community support groups that assist residents during and after major incidents.
A comprehensive network of agencies will be on-site to connect with residents, including the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Australian Red Cross, and local recovery groups like Resilient Lismore.
The event aligns with key actions from the Lismore Flood Risk Management Committee and broader natural hazard awareness campaigns to ensure the community remains informed, connected, and proactive.
Event Details:
- Date and Time: 10.30am to 2.30pm, Saturday, 20 June 2026
- Location: The Quad, Lismore (alongside the Lismore Lantern Parade daytime activities and markets)
- Cost: Free admission, all ages welcome
Residents are encouraged to come down, explore the emergency response vehicles up close, and chat with the frontline responders and agencies dedicated to keeping Lismore safe.
