BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
CHAPTER 14 – ISOLATED COMMUNITIES SUB-PLAN (V2.0)
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
2013
isolated communities
sub-plan
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BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
CHAPTER 14 – ISOLATED COMMUNITIES SUB-PLAN (V2.0)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 PURPOSE 1
2.0 SCOPE 1
3.0 RATIONALE 1
4.0 AMENDMENTS AND REVIEW 1
5.0 PLANNING AND COORDINATION 2
5.1 Queensland Police Service 3
5.2 Emergency and Support Services 3
6.0 AT-RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS 3
7.0 RESUPPLY 3
8.0 BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL 3
8.1 Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) 4
9.0 COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE SOPs 4
APPENDIX 1 – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 5
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BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
CHAPTER 14 – ISOLATED COMMUNITIES SUB-PLAN (V2.0)
1.0 PURPOSE
This sub-plan outlines the use of Community Support Centres by local communities that may become isolated.
2.0 SCOPE
This sub-plan describes the role of the local community groups and organisations in establishing, coordinating and managing Community Support Centres.
This sub-plan also describes the responsibilities of:
a. Community Groups; and
b. Brisbane City Council
3.0 RATIONALE
Isolated communities do not necessarily require evacuation but instead shelter-in-location[1].
During isolation, a planned and coordinated local community response is paramount to ensure the community remains resilient to the consequences and impact of being isolated.
Community Support Centres are community-led and operated facilities, which enable communities to be responsive and resilient through periods of isolation during a natural disaster or other event.
Community Support Centres are not evacuation centres but provide information and support to shelter-in-location (isolated) communities and act as a hub for sharing information with the community.
The Community Support Centre may also be utilised as a location for resupply, a rendezvous point, or a place for provision and distribution of stores to the community.
The Community Support Centre may also be a place for the provisions of health care services and the coordination of persons requiring evacuation.
4.0 AMENDMENTS AND REVIEW
This Isolated Communities Sub-plan will be reviewed, practiced and updated annually in accordance with the procedures mandated by the Brisbane LDMG.
It shall be reviewed at least once each year by a committee of appropriately qualified and experienced personnel. The committee shall, as a minimum, consist of the Manager, Disaster Operations (MDO) and a member of the Emergency Human Services Operational Team (EHSOT). Representatives from external agencies may also be included as needed.
1. Proposed amendments to this sub-plan are to be forwarded in writing to the Manager, Disaster Operations (MDO), who may approve minor amendments.
- Proposed amendments that affect the intent of this sub-plan, roles and responsibilities or external agencies must be endorsed by the Local Disaster Coordinator (LDC) and/or the MDO and may be forwarded to the Brisbane LDMG for approval if required. This type of amendment is referred to as a major amendment.
- Endorsed amendments are to be listed in the table below.
- Version control of this sub-plan is managed by Disaster Operations. Reissue of this sub-plan following amendment or review will be recorded in the table below and advice of reissue will be distributed throughout the disaster management network. Recipients should take all appropriate action to ensure they are in possession of the most recent version, and that previous versions in both hard copy and electronic forms are archived accordingly. Further information can be requested by contacting Disaster Operations.
Isolated Communities Sub-plan Version Control
Version / Date / Reviewed by / Endorsed by / Comments1.0 / March 2012 / Manager, Disaster Operations / Chair, Brisbane LDMG
District Disaster Coordinator / 2012 official version
1.1 / March 2013 / Manager, Corporate Disaster Recovery Office
Coordinator, Disaster Operations / Manager, Disaster Operations / Revisions
2.0 / May 2013 / Manager, Disaster Operations / Chair, Brisbane LDMG
District Disaster Coordinator / 2013 official version
- This sub-plan is to be reviewed:
· On activation of an event requiring the use of this sub-plan
· On activation of similar disaster management plans in other states, territories or overseas where considered possible
· Upon annual review of Council’s Disaster Management Plan in accordance with the Disaster Management Act 2003 (Qld)
- This sub-plan, together with its supporting standard operating procedures (SOPs), is to be tested annually. The MDO is to brief relevant stakeholders and the Brisbane LDMG on the results of testing this plan.
- In accordance with legislation, the Brisbane Local Disaster Management Plan and all its underpinning sub-plans will be approved by the Chair of the Brisbane LDMG annually.
5.0 PLANNING AND COORDINATION
Local knowledge is invaluable. Community Support Centre planning and coordination is therefore undertaken by the local community.
Planning and coordination meetings are chaired by the local Brisbane City Councillor.
Local police are active members and assume key roles in planning and coordination.
Local SES Groups also take an active role.
Planning and coordination reflects the needs of the local community during periods of isolation and includes the identification of suitable Community Support Centre locations.
Planning and coordination is to include activation and communication protocols.
The Community Support Centre plan is a guide to operating Community Support Centres and establishes roles and responsibilities of local community members and groups.
Planning includes raising community awareness about Community Support Centres.
Planning and coordination includes reviewing and exercising Community Support Centre plans.
5.1 Queensland Police Service
Officers in charge of local police stations will partner with local Councillor-led Disaster Advisory Groups to facilitate the maintenance and review of Community Support Centre plans.
Police officers who are local residents may undertake volunteer coordination roles in Community Support Centres.
Council recognises the need to work closely with the Queensland Police Service.
5.2 Emergency and Support Services
Local emergency service providers such as the State Emergency Service (SES), Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) and the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) should be made aware of and, where appropriate, contribute to the Community Support Centre plan.
Where appropriate, additional support service providers should be made aware of the Community Support Centre plan.
6.0 AT-RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS
The Community Support Centre plan should consider the needs of at-risk community members.
At-risk community members include those residents with special needs, such as the elderly, persons in aged-care facilities, and persons with disabilities.
7.0 RESUPPLY
Residents of communities vulnerable to isolation should undertake necessary planning and arrangements in order to be able to shelter-in-location for extended periods. This includes food and essential household and personal items (including medication).
Depending on the period of isolation, or anticipated isolation, the resupply of food, medications and essential items is to be coordinated by the Community Support Centre.
Items that need to be considered for resupply are identified in the Community Support Centre Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which is an internal document available on the Disaster Management intranet or through Disaster Operations.
Requests for resupply are outlined in the Community Support Centre SOP and are to be made in accordance with existing disaster management arrangements.
8.0 BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL
Council will provide, where necessary, oversight and input to the development of the Community Support Centre plan.
Council will, where appropriate, assist with training and exercising of Community Support Centre volunteers.
Where appropriate, representatives from Council’s Disaster Operations Branch or relevant regional managers will attend Community Support Centre planning meetings.
Where possible a regional Community Development Officer (CDO) will be appointed as a Liaison Officer (LO) to the Community Support Centre planning group. The LO will attend planning meetings where appropriate.
The CDO will be a key point of contact during activation of the Community Support Centre. This includes monitoring, reporting, and escalation of information and issues as appropriate.
Council will conduct annual inspections of Community Support Centres.
Volunteers engaged in planning, training or activation of Community Support Centre plans will be deemed to be Council volunteers and covered by Council’s Volunteers’ Personal Accident Insurance and Council’s Public Liability Insurance.
8.1 Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC)
The LDCC is Council’s dedicated facility for coordinating its response to disaster events.
An Emergency Human Services Operational Team exists as part of the LDCC. This team will monitor the activities of Community Support Centres including liaison with the CDO, needs assessment and analysis, reporting, processing of requests for assistance, and escalation of information and issues as appropriate.
Where appropriate, the LDCC will coordinate and assist with matters that require urgent attention.
The LDCC will coordinate requests for resupply of essential items.
Council will maintain Standard Operating Procedures in support of this sub-plan.
9.0 COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures should be endorsed by all organisations that will be involved with, or provide support to, the Community Support Centre in the event that the Community Support Centre is activated.
SOPs should be held by key stakeholder groups.
SOPs should be exercised annually.
The following Community Support Centre SOPs are available on the Disaster Management intranet and are held by the relevant stakeholders.
Pullenvale Ward: Mt Crosby-Karana Downs
Pullenvale Ward: Moggill-Bellbowrie
APPENDIX 1 – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CDO / Community Development Officer
EHSOT / Emergency Human Services Operational Team
LDC / Local Disaster Coordinator
LDCC / Local Disaster Coordination Centre
LDMG / Brisbane City Local Disaster Management Group
LO / Liaison Officer
MDO / Manager, Disaster Operations
QAS / Queensland Ambulance Service
QFRS / Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
SES / State Emergency Service
SOP / Standard Operating Procedure
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[1] Shelter-in-location: Residents are able to shelter in their own homes or homes nearby and are supported by the local community.