New South Wales State Emergency Management Committee
ANNUAL REPORT 2007 – 2008 State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 CONTENTS 1 Introduction ...... 1 2 The State Emergency Management Committee ...... 1 2.1 Responsibility and functions...... 1 2.2 Structure...... 2 2.3 District and Local Emergency Management Committees...... 2 2.4 Committee membership ...... 2 2.5 The Committee Secretariat...... 4 3 Emergency management concepts ...... 5 4 Overview of SEMC activity ...... 5 4.1 Mitigation and risk management...... 6 4.2 Planning ...... 8 4.3 Emergency management training...... 11 4.4 Operations and exercises...... 13 4.5 Natural disaster declarations ...... 16 4.6 Recovery ...... 17 5 Australian Safer Communities Awards 2007...... 19 6 Agency, Functional Area and Committee reports...... 20 6.1 Ambulance Service of NSW ...... 20 6.2 NSW Fire Brigades ...... 22 6.3 NSW Police Force...... 24 6.4 NSW Rural Fire Service...... 27 6.5 NSW State Emergency Service...... 29 6.6 Volunteer Rescue Association ...... 31 6.7 NSW Maritime...... 32 6.8 Department of Premier and Cabinet...... 33 6.9 Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area ...... 35 6.10 Communications Services Functional Area ...... 38 6.11 Energy and Utility Services Functional Area...... 39 6.12 Engineering Services Functional Area...... 43 6.13 Environmental Services Functional Area...... 45 6.14 Health Services Functional Area...... 49 6.15 Public Information Services Functional Area ...... 51 6.16 Transport Services Functional Area...... 54 6.17 Welfare Services Functional Area Committee...... 56 6.18 NSW CBR Hazmat Working Group ...... 59 6.19 Influenza Pandemic Taskforce...... 61 6.20 NSW USAR Advisory Committee...... 62 7 District Emergency Management Committee Reports ...... 64 7.1 Central West District Emergency Management Committee ...... 64 7.2 Far West District Emergency Management Committee...... 66 7.3 Georges River District Emergency Management Committee ...... 69 7.4 Hunter Central Coast District Emergency Management Committee ...... 72 7.5 Illawarra District Emergency Management Committee...... 76 7.6 Mid North Coast District Emergency Management Committee ...... 78 7.7 Monaro District Emergency Management Committee...... 80 7.8 Murray District Emergency Management Committee ...... 83 7.9 Northern Rivers District Emergency Management Committee ...... 87 7.10 Peel District Emergency Management Committee ...... 90
- i - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.11 Riverina District Emergency Management Committee...... 92 7.12 Southern Highlands District Emergency Management Committee ...... 95 7.13 Sydney East District Emergency Management Committee...... 98 7.14 Sydney Mid-West District Emergency Management Committee...... 100 7.15 Sydney North District Emergency Management Committee ...... 103 7.16 Sydney South West District Emergency Management Committee ...... 105 7.17 Western Slopes District Emergency Management Committee...... 107 7.18 Western Sydney District Emergency Management Committee ...... 109 Annex A – SEMC members ...... 112 Annex B – Detailed training statistics ...... 113 Annex C – Support provided by the Secretariat ...... 116 Annex D – Emergency Management Districts...... 119
State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
1 Introduction
This report has been compiled in accordance with Section 17 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act (1989) to describe the work and activities of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) during the financial year 2007-08. The NSW Rural Fire Service provides administrative support to the SEMC and reports on relevant administrative matters.
2 The State Emergency Management Committee
2.1 Responsibility and functions The State Emergency Management Committee is the principal committee established under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act (1989) (SERM Act) for the purposes of emergency management throughout the State and, in particular, is responsible for emergency planning at a State level. In accordance with section 15 of the SERM Act, the SEMC is required to: a. identify, evaluate and monitor hazards and threats to life and property; b. establish and review appropriate emergency management structures at all levels; c. identify emergency resources both within and outside the State and make plans for the allocation and coordination of the use of those resources; d. establish and review systems for use in the control and coordination of emergency operations; e. review and recommend emergency management legislation (including legislation and proposals for legislation of other agencies); f. advise the Minister on the creation of combined local government emergency management arrangements; g. establish communication networks within and between functional areas at all levels; h. review plans at all levels and within each emergency services organisation and functional area; i. produce specific hazard management guidelines; j. arrange emergency management training for individuals, including individuals employed in emergency services organisations and functional areas; k. produce and disseminate educational material on established emergency management policies and procedures; l. arrange the conduct of training exercises to periodically test emergency management plans; m. advise the Minister on the declaration of states of emergencies; n. advise on the efficient use of local government resources in relation to DISPLAN; o. assist in the selection and training of district and local government personnel for appointment to relevant organisations under Part 2 of the SERM Act; p. act as the single point of contact for Commonwealth support to emergency operations in New South Wales in the absence of other arrangements; q. produce standing orders and instructions and standing operating procedures under DISPLAN; r. assist the Minister, as required, in the preparation and review of DISPLAN; and s. arrange for graduated warnings of emergencies to the public.
- 1 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 2.2 Structure The SEMC presently comprises the Chair, the State Emergency Operations Controller, and 20 representatives of government agencies, as determined by the Minister. Nine Functional Area Committees coordinate functional area support for emergency operations pursuant to section 16 of the SERM Act: • Agriculture and Animal Services • Communication Services • Energy and Utility Services • Engineering Services • Environmental Services • Health Services • Public Information Services • Transport Services • Welfare Services In accordance with Schedule 2(10) of the SERM Act, the SEMC may establish committees to assist it exercise any of its functions. Nine committees assisted the SEMC in the exercise of its functions during the year: • Animal Health Emergency Working Group • Aviation Emergency Operations Advisory Committee • NSW Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Hazardous Materials Steering Committee (This committee revised its terms of reference and was renamed at SEMC66 in September 2007.) • Climate Change Working Group (This committee was established at SEMC64 in March 2007.) • Community Warning System Working Group • Human Influenza Pandemic Working Group (This working group was established at SEMC69 in June 2008.) • Major Evacuation Centres Working Group (This working group was established at SEMC66 in September 2007.) • Mitigation Sub-Committee • Training Advisory Group • Urban Search and Rescue Sub-committee
2.3 District and Local Emergency Management Committees The SERM Act establishes District and Local Emergency Management Committees whose role is primarily to prepare emergency management plans for the district or local area for which they are constituted. The 18 District Emergency Management Committees (DEMCs) met regularly during the year. One hundred and thirty seven Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), covering the 151 Local Government Areas, the unincorporated area of the State and Lord Howe Island, also met regularly.
2.4 Committee membership Chair Mr John Anderson, AFSM (to 6 June 2008) Acting Chair Commissioner Greg Mullins AFSM (from 7 June 2008)
- 2 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 State Emergency Operations Controller Acting Deputy Commissioner Robert May APM (to 1 December 2007) Deputy Commissioner David Owens APM (from 1 December 2007)
2.4.1 Emergency Service Organisation representatives NSW Police and Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller: Assistant Commissioner Dave Owens APM (to 19 December 2007) Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn APM (from 19 December 2007) NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins AFSM Ambulance Service of NSW Superintendent Michael Willis ASM NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM NSW State Emergency Service Brigadier Philip McNamara CSC, ESM, BSc., GrAIM, GrAICD Volunteer Rescue Association Mr Ray Gill ESM (to 1 November 2007) Mr Gary Raymond APM, OAM (from 1 November 2007)
2.4.2 Functional Area Coordinators Agricultural and Animal Services Mr Doug Hocking (to 16 March 2008) Ms Renata Brooks (from 17 March 2008) Communication Services Mr Tony Gates ESM, BSc. Energy and Utility Services Mr Ralph Grimes Engineering Services Mr David Wilkins BE Environmental Services Mr Joe Woodward BSc., MEng (Hons) Health Services Mr Greg Rochford PSM Public Information Services Inspector Kevin Daley Transport Services Mr Greg Nott Welfare Services Ms Wendy Graham
- 3 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
2.4.3 Members: Department of Premier and Cabinet Mr Paul Clark PSM Department of Local Government Mr Mike Fleming NSW Maritime Mr Chris Oxenbould AO (to 28 March 2008) Department of Planning Dr. Derek Mullins Dip. App. Chem. Th.M. Th.D. The Treasury Mr Phil Blunden
2.4.4 Executive Officer Mr Heinz Mueller Details of committee membership and attendance during the reporting year are in Annex A.
2.5 The Committee Secretariat Executive support to the State Emergency Management Committee is provided by a Secretariat, authorised by section 63A of the SERM Act. The role of the Secretariat is to: (a) provide executive support services to the: i. Chair, ii. State Emergency Operations Controller, iii. State Emergency Management Committee, iv. Functional Area Committees and other Sub Committees, and v. short term working parties. (b) represent the SEMC on committees at District, State and National levels; and (c) maintain and operate the State Emergency Operations Centre. 2.5.1.1 Structure of the State Emergency Management Committee Secretariat
Support provided by the Secretariat is set out in Annex C.
- 4 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The State Emergency Management Committee Secretariat is located at: Level 11 Telephone: (02) 8247 5900 52 Phillip Street Facsimile: (02) 9252 9168 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Homepage: www.emergency.nsw.gov.au The State Emergency Operations Centre is located at: Level 4, Sydney Police Centre 151-241 Goulburn Street SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
3 Emergency management concepts
Three fundamental concepts, consistent with national and international best-practice, underpin emergency management in NSW: 1. All-hazards approach: NSW has established a single set of management arrangements which apply to emergencies resulting from any hazard, even though specific activities will vary with different hazards. 2. Comprehensive approach: NSW embraces the four principles of comprehensive emergency management, commonly referred to as the PPRR approach: Prevention/mitigation – to eliminate or reduce the incidence or severity of emergencies. Preparation – to enhance the capacity of communities to cope with the consequences of emergencies. Response – to ensure the immediate consequences of emergencies on communities are minimised. Recovery – measures which support individuals and communities affected by emergencies in the reconstruction of physical infrastructure and restoration of physical, emotional and economic well being. 3. All-agency approach: Emergency management involves all agencies working in partnership with the community and all levels of government. Effective emergency management is also about building resilience in the community. This means: • an alert, informed and active community; • an active and involved local government; and • agreed and coordinated emergency management arrangements. The SEMC uses the emergency risk management process to underpin emergency management. The ERM process provides a logical and systematic approach to identifying the risks faced in a community and ensuring they are appropriately treated.
4 Overview of SEMC activity
Throughout 2007-08 the SEMC has continued to develop the emergency management arrangements in NSW, participate in emergency management exercises, and support state- level emergency operations. A summary of the more significant undertakings includes: (a) Continued work to implement the recommendations of the 2003 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) report Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming Mitigation, Relief and Recovery, including administration of the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program in NSW. (b) Continued development of emergency management training resources and programs, including support to the development and delivery of the NSW Police Force Incident Command Course.
- 5 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 (c) Continued development of the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub-plan and the associated sydneyAlert warning system. (d) Maintaining the emergencyNSW public information portal, including the integration of the sydneyAlert notification system. (e) Progressing development of a common incident control system and developing closer links between the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and the Police Operations Centre (POC). (f) Continuing investigation of interoperable operational management and information management systems. (g) Continuing management of the Australian Government Working Together to Manage Emergencies program, which includes the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund (NEVSF) and the Local Grant Scheme (LGS). (h) Reviewing a number of State level Supporting Plans and Sub-plans and initiating a strategic review of the NSW disaster recovery arrangements. (i) Research into the effects of climate change on the emergency management system. (j) Contributing to the development of the Australian Emergency Management Arrangements, Model Arrangements for Leadership During Emergencies of National Consequence and the review of a number of Australian Government emergency management plans. (k) Implementing the revised Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). (l) Representation on the Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC). (m) Supporting the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management.
4.1 Mitigation and risk management
4.1.1 COAG review and natural disaster and relief and mitigation arrangements The Secretariat’s Mitigation and Risk Management section of four staff oversees implementation of the 66 recommendations contained in the 2003 report Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming Mitigation and Relief and Recovery. The report recommended wide-ranging reforms in the areas of mitigation, relief and recovery, in particular: • More emphasis to be placed on mitigation by all levels of government; • Land use reforms; • Improved public awareness; • Better warning systems; • Improvements to the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA); • Enhanced recovery arrangements; • The introduction of a Disaster Mitigation Australia package; and • New governance and reporting arrangements through an enhanced Australian Emergency Management Committee and the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management. New South Wales was represented on the following working groups formed to advise on implementing the recommendations: Catastrophic Disasters: John Anderson (SEMC Chair) and Heinz Mueller, SEMC Secretariat Community Safety: Rick Stone, SEMC Secretariat and Terry Hill (NSW Fire Brigades) Remote Indigenous Communities: Rick Stone, SEMC Secretariat Risk Assessment: John Anderson (SEMC Chair and working group Chair) and Trevor Cox, SEMC Secretariat
- 6 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.1.1.1 Mitigation activities During the year the SEMC: • Continued implementing the recommendations arising from the COAG review into Natural Disaster Mitigation and Relief Arrangements. • Finalised the State’s participation in the Natural Disaster Risk Management Studies Program, which was incorporated into the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program. • Revised the Emergency Risk Management Guide for Emergency Management Committees, which will be rolled out during 2008-09. 4.1.1.2 The Disaster Mitigation Australia Package (DMAP) The Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) was established as a five year program starting in 2003-04. This financial year marks the end of the program. The Regional Flood Mitigation Program (RFMP) was rolled into the NDMP for the 2007-08 funding year. The Australian Government, in consultation with all States and Territories, has undertaken a review of the NDMP and an announcement about the program’s future is expected in 2008. The NDMP is based on shared funding between the three levels of Government on a 1:1:1 basis, although there is provision for an applicant to seek a reduction in contributions if there are exceptional circumstances. The New South Wales Government has approved funding for the full five years of NDMP, designed to match the Australian Government draft national allocations. The SEMC has established a State Mitigation Assessment Committee (SMAC) for NDMP, comprised as follows: Chair: Chair, SEMC Secretary: Planning Officer, Mitigation and Risk Management, SEMC Members: Department of Premier and Cabinet Treasury Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinator Expert advisors: Department of Environment and Climate Change Rural Fire Service Roads and Traffic Authority (as required) State Emergency Service Others: Technical experts co-opted as required. The SMAC takes advice on priorities for flood related projects from the State Assessment Committee (SAC), chaired by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, which has developed a scoring system to rate flood project applications. There were 143 applications received for the NDMP 2007-08 funding year, worth more than $27 million (Commonwealth and NSW contribution). In all, 74 new projects were approved, with Commonwealth and NSW contributions of $11.7 million. Below is a summary of approved NDMP projects by number and allocation for the 2003/04 to 2007-08 funding years.
NSW NDMP Commonwealth and State Contributions NDMP NDMP NDMP NDMP NDMP Total projects projects projects projects projects projects Hazard Category 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07-08 ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) Bushfire studies 11 (0.04)2 2 (0.09) 9 (1.27) 6 (1.04) 8 (1.05) 26 (3.48)
1 Number of projects supported 2 Dollar value of Commonwealth and State contribution ($M)
- 7 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 NDMP NDMP NDMP NDMP NDMP Total projects projects projects projects projects projects Hazard Category 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07-08 ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) Bushfire works 2 (0.14) 4 (1.04) 1 (0.45) 3 (0.10) 11 (1.3) 21 (2.65) Coastal 0 5 (0.54) 2 (0.15) 2 (0.40) 3 (0.60) 12 (1.73) Community 10 (0.35) 9 (0.88) 4 (0.31) 6 (0.76) 1(0.60) 30 (2.90) awareness Emergency risk 1 (0.01) 12 (0.52) 17 (0.45) 7 (0.35) 2(0.11) 39 (1.44) management studies Flood studies 3 (0.97) 18 (1.21) 9 (0.66) 12 (1.08) 18 (1.35) 60 (5.27) 71 Flood works 4 (0.45) 25 (4.30) 8 (1.90) 10 (1.45) 24 (5.48) (13.58) Mapping 5 (0.98) 4 (0.24) 3 (0.12) 6 (0.66) 1 (0.04) 19 (2.05) Miscellaneous (includes livestock 1 (0.13) 6 (0.74) 1 (0.27) 1 (0.11) 6 (1.19) 15 (2.43) and landslide projects) 27 85 54 53 74 293 Totals (3.07) (9.56) (5.58) (5.95) (11.78) (35.53)
4.1.1.3 Working Together to Manage Emergencies program In September 2004 the Australian Attorney-General announced the Working Together to Manage Emergencies initiative, which recognised the need to develop self-reliance at both community and local government level to enhance community safety. The initiative has allocated $49 million (Commonwealth funds only) over four years to support local governments and volunteer organisations involved in emergency management to develop strategies that improve community safety. The initiative includes two elements; the Local Grants Scheme (LGS) and the National Emergency Volunteers Support Fund (NEVSF). The SEMC Secretariat administers these grants in NSW. During the 2007-08 funding year, the SEMC received 193 applications under the Local Grants Scheme (totalling $7.491m), of which 62 were recommended by NSW for funding and all were approved (totalling $2,184,352). A total of 176 applications were received for the National Emergency Volunteers Support Fund (totalling $5.297m), of which 47 were recommended by NSW for funding and all were approved (totalling $1,105,174).
4.2 Planning
4.2.1 Australian Government plans and planning activity The SEMC actively contributes to a range of Australian Government sponsored planning activities. During the year, the Committee contributed to reviews of the following Commonwealth emergency management plans: • The Australian Emergency Management Arrangements, which evolved from the proposed Australian Emergency Plan, and which describe the national arrangements for managing emergencies; • COMDISPLAN; which describes the coordination arrangements for the provision of Australian Government physical assistance in the event of a disaster or emergency in Australia or its offshore territories; and
- 8 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • AUSCONPLAN SPRED; which provides for the coordination of Australian Government support to States and Territories in response to a space debris re-entry threat. Catastrophic Disasters The review of Australia’s ability to respond to and recover from catastrophic disasters came about as a result of recommendations 56 and 57 of the 2001 COAG report Natural Disasters in Australia - Reforming Mitigation, Relief and Recovery Arrangements. The Catastrophic Disasters Emergency Management Capability Working Group (CDEMCWG) was formed to address these two recommendations and released their Review of Australia’s Ability to Respond to and Recover from Catastrophic Disasters in November 2005. Subsequent to the tabling of the report concerns were raised about the ability of Australia’s emergency management arrangements to cope with multiple simultaneous catastrophic events. These arrangements were tested in a series of three workshops, sponsored by Emergency Management Australia, and based on terrorist attacks occurring simultaneously in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. A report on the outcomes of the workshops is being prepared by Emergency Management Australia in conjunction with the jurisdictions. Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee Remote indigenous communities have diverse and complex emergency management needs resulting from a combination of: isolation, exposure to natural hazards, inadequate services, infrastructure and employment opportunities, transient populations, differing governance arrangements and entrenched disadvantage. There are more than 50 discrete indigenous communities in NSW, of which a third can be considered remote. The national strategy for emergency management in remote indigenous communities Keeping Our Mob Safe was launched by the Australian Attorney General, Phillip Ruddock in Broome in June 2007. The strategy has seven priorities: 1. Decision-making structures in remote Indigenous communities for emergency management 2. Communication and engagement with remote indigenous communities on emergency management; 3. Community emergency management planning for remote indigenous communities; 4. Community resourcing for emergency management in remote indigenous communities; 5. Coordinated and cooperative approach to emergency management in remote indigenous communities; 6. Empowering indigenous people through emergency management training; 7. Education of indigenous people (in emergency management) The SEMC steering committee met in February 2008 and approved a work plan for implementation. Pilot implementation programs were initiated in two indigenous communities during the year.
4.2.2 State plans and planning activity The NSW emergency management arrangements are described in the State Disaster Plan (DISPLAN). DISPLAN is supplemented by a series of sub-plans to deal with specific hazards. Eight of the nine functional areas have a supporting plan for DISPLAN and the various sub- plans. Emergency management plans are regularly reviewed, at least once every five years, and after every significant emergency or exercise. Plans reviewed and endorsed during the year: • Engineering Services Supporting Plan 2008 • Health Services Supporting Plan 2007 (HEALTHPLAN) • Natural Gas Supply Emergency Sub-plan 2008 • NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan 2008 • State Flood Plan 2008 • Transport Services Functional Area Supporting Plan 2008
- 9 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.2.3 District plans District Disaster Plans are in place for all Emergency Management Districts. The Emergency Management Districts are set out in Annex D and displayed on the maps below.
4.2.4 Local plans Local Disaster Plans are in place for all Local Emergency Management Committees, including the Unincorporated Area and Lord Howe Island. Emergency Risk Management Studies and Local Mitigation Strategies are an important part of local DISPLAN reviews.
4.2.5 Spatial information The Department of Lands’ Emergency Information Coordination Unit (EICU) has completed its fifth year of operation with its greatest achievements so far, through its key roles as provider of spatial information services and technical support to APEC2007, the equine influenza emergency 2007-08, the EMA Catastrophic Disasters Workshop (May 2008), and in planning for World Youth Day 2008 (WYD). With the assistance of the EICU each of these events has considerably advanced the use of electronic mapping and spatial information in emergency planning and operations.
- 10 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 An important component of EICU services is the development of the Emergency Services Spatial Information Library (ESSIL), which is used by the emergency services organisations and support agencies at the local, state and federal levels. ESSIL is a long term project of the EICU and central to its purpose. When complete, it will contain more than 350 layers of spatial data covering the whole state. At present there are about 260 layers partly or fully populated from spatial data provided by local, state and Australian government agencies and authorities, including water, electricity, telephone, transport and persons at risk, which together help to provide a background for emergency management partners. A major undertaking of the EICU is the rollout of ESSIL to State, District and Local Emergency Management Committees (EMCs) for use in training and operations. This work will continue in 2008-09 to all State, District and Local EMCs. Once completed, this will mean a consistent approach to mapping is available to all levels of planning and operations across the state. In 2007-08 the EICU focused its attention on improving the buildings and infrastructures databases of ESSIL. As part of the project, EICU, with the City of Sydney, has completed a 3-D model of the Sydney CBD containing details of floor-plans, occupancy, business use and risk areas, which helps with various aspects of emergency management work. It has also initiated a detailed study of the underground of the Sydney CBD. The buildings database was used in the May 2008 catastrophic disasters workshop conducted by EMA. During 2007-08 the EICU is supporting WYD events and other events as they arise, by providing technical support and current spatial information to emergency services, support agencies and operations centres. It will also continue its on-going program to complete ESSIL. The focus this year is on buildings, infrastructures, persons at risk in institutions and their own homes, hazard data, locations data services for 000, and improved local response spatial capabilities. The EICU has a long term commitment to providing geospatial support and services to the Office for Emergency Services, State Crisis Centre, State Emergency Operations Centre, Government Coordination Centre-Police Operations Centre, as well as to all ESOs, Functional Area Committees and District and Local EMCs.
4.3 Emergency management training
4.3.1 Training Advisory Group The Training Advisory Group consists of three representatives from the emergency service organisations, two representatives from the functional areas, and two District Emergency Management Officers. The secretariat Manager, Professional Development chairs the Group. The terms of reference of the Group were expanded during the year to ensure compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards. They are: • To conduct training needs analysis for multi-agency emergency management training, and advise the SEMC on training and assessment needs. • To advise on the development of competency based curricula to meet training needs, and its implementation. • To advise on the development and implementation of assessment strategies. • To review all training material every two years to ensure that accuracy and relevance of content are maintained and that changes in relevant legislation, emergency management structure, and industry work practices are included. • To validate assessment strategies and results to ensure quality and consistency of assessment. • To review compliance with AQTF standards, and advice on managing risks of non- compliance. The Training Advisory Group met four times during the year.
- 11 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.3.1.1 Key achievements The Training Advisory Group: • developed and approved ten policies relating to training and assessment processes and staff during the year; • completed two off-site regional audits; and • conducted a Trainer/Assessors Professional Development Workshop for District Emergency Management Officers.
4.3.2 Emergency Management Sector Working Group The SEMC continued its representation at meetings of the Emergency Management Sector Working Group, coordinated by Emergency Management Australia. The Group monitors and reviews the implementation of the emergency management sector competencies in the Public Safety Training Package to meet the requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework. The Group considered a range of outcomes for the sector putting forward aspects of the review under the PUA00 Version 7 project. Aspects considered by the Group included: • endorsement of the new unit, PUAEMR014A Work in an emergency management context; • the structure of emergency management qualifications, including the core and elective structure; and • inclusion of emergency management sector-specific skill sets within PUA00 Version 7.
4.3.3 Emergency Management Australia Institute activities One hundred and seventy participants from a range of NSW emergency service organisations and functional areas were involved in residential training courses conducted by the Emergency Management Australia Institute (EMAI) during the year. Instructional support to EMAI, where sought, is provided by NSW for the delivery of EMAI courses. Five EMAI extension courses were conducted during the year: • Evacuation Centres and Recovery Services, Sydney, 15-19 October 2007 • Business Continuity Management, Bankstown, 29 October – 2 November 2007 • Evacuation Centres and Recovery Services, Bathurst, 14-18 April 2007 • Work in an Emergency Operation Centre, Dubbo, 12-13 May 2007 • Manage an Emergency Operation, Dubbo, 14-16 May 2007 These courses were funded by EMAI, and delivered by EMAI and NSW trainers.
4.3.4 Training statistics Detailed training statistics are in Annex B.
4.3.5 Public awareness The development of educational literature on hazard and risk reduction continued during the reporting year in conjunction with Emergency Management Australia’s public education programs, as well as those of the individual emergency service organisations and functional areas. SEMC Secretariat and agency staff were active in the work of the National Community Safety Awareness Committee and the Australian Tsunami Warnings Group. emergencyNSW continues to provide public emergency and preparedness information. The site, located at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au, presents current emergency management news, State level emergency plans, training information, pre-emergency information, historic emergency information and district emergency information.
- 12 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.3.6 Publications The State Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) and its Supporting and Sub-plans are available on the emergencyNSW website www.emergency.nsw.gov.au. Training resource material is made available to course participants. The following publications are available from the Secretariat: Books and booklets • Emergency Management Arrangements for NSW • Emergency Management Planning • Exercise Management • Implementation Guide for Emergency Management Committees • Implementing Emergency Risk Management (NSW) • Introduction to Emergency Risk Management (NSW) • Managing an Emergency Operation • Managing an Evacuation • Working in an Emergency Operations Centre
4.4 Operations and exercises
4.4.1 Roles and responsibilities The roles and responsibilities of the emergency services organisations and functional areas, including coordination arrangements, are outlined in the New South Wales State Disaster Plan (State DISPLAN).
4.4.2 Commonwealth support The State Emergency Operations Controller, through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), is the single point of contact in the State for requesting Commonwealth assistance for emergency consequence management. The SEOC is in regular contact with the Australian Attorney General’s Department Coordination Centre (AGDCC), which is kept informed of incidents and emergencies in NSW as they occur. The SEOC and ADGCC coordinate requests for NSW emergency service assets to deploy overseas if requested.
4.4.3 Emergency Operations Centres 4.4.3.1 State Emergency Operations Centre The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) is located at the Sydney Police Centre, Goulburn Street, Surry Hills. During the year the centre underwent a full refurbishment and technology enhancement that improved its information management capability. 4.4.3.2 Functional Area Operations Centres Those functional areas that operate coordination centres are: Functional Area Location Agriculture and Animal Services Orange Environmental Services Sydney CBD Health Everleigh Public Information Services Sydney CBD Transport Services Sydney CBD Welfare Services Parramatta
- 13 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.4.3.3 District Emergency Operations Centres Districts have established a district emergency operations centre and maintain consistent standing operating procedures to allow inter-operability. A number of district level exercises were held during the year to test the operation of the district emergency operations centres. 4.4.3.4 Local Emergency Operations Centres All Local Emergency Management Committees met on a regular basis during the year and have identified appropriate local emergency operations centres.
4.4.4 Significant activities The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) coordinates State level operational support in an emergency and continuously maintains situational awareness of all emergency activities throughout New South Wales. In 2007-08 the SEOC was on a heightened state of readiness or participated in the following exercises, planned events and emergency operations: 4.4.4.1 Exercises Panorama Peril . Secretariat staff and the Energy and Utilities Functional Area participated in a discussion exercise about responses to a dam failure following significant storm activity. Rock my boat. SEOC and SEMC Secretariat staff participated in this discussion exercise about an aviation emergency on Lord Howe Island. NYE 2007. Secretariat staff participated in this discussion exercise to practice the arrangements for New Years Eve 2007. Road Runner IV. The Secretariat conducted a field exercise to test activation of safety site marshals under the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan. Oily Carp. SEMC members participated in the NSW Maritime discussion exercise testing the arrangements for responding to an oil spill in NSW waters Bright Star. Secretariat staff and the Transport Services Functional Area participated in this discussion exercise examining response arrangements to a transport disruption during World Youth Day 2008. Catastrophic disasters. SEMC members participated in the AEMC sponsored workshop to examine the response to simultaneous emergencies in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne CBDs. Quarantine and isolation. Secretariat staff participated in the NSW Health desktop exercise to test quarantine and isolation aspects during a Pandemic. Grippe. Secretariat staff participated in the Health Services Functional Area airport field exercise to test border control and quarantine procedures in the case of a Pandemic. 4.4.4.2 Planned events New Year’s Eve. The SEOC supported the NSW Police Force and the DPC Office of Protocol and Special Events during the Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations. Operation Contego. The SEOC supported the NSW Police Force during the APEC Leader’s Forum in September 2007. 4.4.4.3 Emergency operations Hunter region severe weather. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service and Maritime NSW following storms during June 2007. The main impacts were flooding, inundation, power and infrastructure failures, and the grounding of the bulk ore carrier Pasha Bulker. The SEOC continued to participate in ongoing recovery and debriefing activities in this reporting period and monitoring the attempts to refloat the Pasha Bulker. Water turbidity -Warragamba Dam. The SEOC assisted Sydney Water and the Energy and Utilities Functional Area monitor water turbidity in Warragamba Dam during July 2007. Bushfires – Northern Rivers. The SEOC supported the Rural Fire Service when a number of bushfires broke out in early August 2007 in the Northern Rivers area.
- 14 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Animal disease – Equine Influenza. The SEOC supported the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) during the equine influenza (EI) outbreak that began when a positive test for the disease was confirmed in Sydney in August 2007. The positive test led to the suspension of racing, NSW being declared a ‘control area’ and a ‘horse stand-still’ being implemented across the state. The SEOC played an important role in assisting the Department of Primary Industries (the combat agency for animal disease emergencies) throughout the event. The SEOC provided a facility from which the DPI based its Sydney operations, SEOC staff assisted in the sourcing and provision of resources for the DPI in multiple locations throughout NSW and facilitated assistance to other agencies supporting the DPI, including the NSW Police Force and the Emergency Information Coordination Unit. This support continued until April 2008, when Australia was provisionally declared free of EI. Tsunami warning . The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service following a tsunami warning for the south-eastern mainland coast issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on 30 September 2007. Hailstorm – Lismore. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service following a hailstorm that caused significant infrastructure damage to Lismore in Oct 2007. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service on a second occasion in Oct 2007 after a severe wind storm caused significant damage to Dunoon. Both areas were declared natural disaster zones. Silo fire – Werris Creek. The SEOC supported the NSW Fire Brigades during a grain silo fire during November 2007. Severe storms – north and western Sydney. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service following a severe thunderstorm which affected the northern and western suburbs of Sydney, particularly Blacktown, causing widespread roof damage in December 2007 and again in January 2008. Severe weather – western NSW. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service following widespread rainfall associated with a low over Queensland that caused significant flooding in the north western NSW river systems in December 2007. Animal disease – Anthrax. The SEOC supported the Department of Primary Industries when anthrax was confirmed on a property near Scone in December 2007 . In the following 11 days anthrax was confirmed on a further ten nearby properties. In total 54 head of cattle and one horse died on the 11 confirmed properties with the event closed in late January 2008. Flooding – far western NSW and Queensland. The SEOC facilitated Commonwealth assistance to the Queensland State Emergency Service following significant rainfall and flooding in south western Queensland in January 2008, with potentially significant effects downstream in NSW. NSW SES provided support to the Queensland State Emergency Service with portable flood barriers and staff. Space debris re-entry. The SEOC coordinated the NSW response following advice from Emergency Management Australia of possible space debris re-entry when US193, an experimental satellite, malfunctioned in February 2008. The Australian Contingency Plan for Space Re-entry Debris (AUSCONPLAN-SPRED) was activated and the SEOCON was in control of the NSW response. Rail disruption – Blackheath. The SEOC supported the NSW Police Force and Transport Services Functional Area when a truck on rail lines caused significant disruption to the rail line at Blackheath in February 2008. Floods – northern NSW. The SEOC supported the State Emergency Service when severe weather combined with a king tide to cause significant riverine flooding in the NSW north coast from the Tweed through to the Bellinger River in June 2008. Drought. The SEOC continues to monitor the ongoing and widespread effects of the drought in NSW with more than 60% of the state remaining drought declared through most of the year. Animal disease – Avian Influenza. The SEOC continues to monitor this disease with the last reported case being in Indonesia on 19 June 2008.
- 15 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 4.5 Natural disaster declarations The following Natural Disaster Declarations were made during 2006/2007. Date(s) Declared event Declared Local Government Areas Richmond Valley 6 to 17 August 2007 Bushfire Lismore Kyogle Tenterfield 23 September to Bushfire Glen Innes 9 October 2007 Inverell 1 to 7 October 2007 Bushfire Port Stephens Guyra 2 to 8 October 2007 Bushfire Armidale Dumaresq Richmond Valley 2 to 12 October Bushfire Lismore Kyogle Lismore 9 October 2007 Severe hailstorm Byron Bay Wollongong 16 to 19 October 2007 Bushfire Shellharbour Kiama 26 October 2007 Windstorm Lismore 5 to 7 December 2007 Storm Wellington Blacktown Severe hail and Baulkham Hills 9 December 2007 windstorm Hornsby Penrith Carrathool 21 December 2007 Storm Hay Lachlan Bland Parkes Coonamble Warren Broken Hill 21 to 22 December 2007 Severe weather Carrathool Bogan Gilgandra Warrumbungle Narromine Cobar Walgett
- 16 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
Date(s) Declared event Declared Local Government Areas Tweed Kyogle Lismore Richmond Valley 4 to 12 January 2008 Flood Tenterfield Byron Ballina Clarence Valley 24-28 April 2008 Flood and storm Greater Taree
4.6 Recovery
4.6.1 Recovery principles Recovery from an emergency begins at the moment of impact. Recovery is more than simply replacing what has been destroyed. It is a complex social and developmental process. Recovery is best achieved when the affected community is able to exercise a high degree of self determination. The National Disaster Recovery Principles were endorsed by the Community and Disability Services Ministers’ Advisory Council in March 2008. The principles underpin recovery operations in NSW. The text of the principles follows: Disaster recovery is part of emergency management, which includes the broader components of prevention, preparedness and response. Planning for recovery is integral to emergency preparation and mitigation actions may often be initiated as part of recovery. Disaster recovery includes physical, environmental and economic elements, as well as psychosocial wellbeing. Recovery can provide an opportunity to improve these aspects beyond previous conditions, by enhancing social and natural environments, infrastructure and economies – contributing to a more resilient community. Successful recovery relies on: • understanding the context, • recognising complexity, • using community-led approaches, • ensuring coordination of all activities, • employing effective communication, and • acknowledging and building capacity.
4.6.2 Roles and responsibilities Recovery services during and following an emergency are managed by a Recovery Committee chaired by an identified Recovery Coordinator. The Recovery Coordinator may be an Emergency Operations Controller, a Functional Area Coordinator or another appropriate coordinator appointed by the Minister. An overlap will usually occur between the beginning of the recovery and the completion of the response phases in an emergency, and the handover of responsibilities between the response organisation and the recovery organisation needs to be managed carefully.
4.6.3 Significant recovery activities Significant recovery operations included:
- 17 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Hunter / Central Coast storms, June 2007. The four recovery centres established in June 2007 continued to operate for several months with the last (Newcastle) closing on 26 October 2007. These centres were attended by more than 3,500 people with more than $2 million being provided under the Personal Hardship and Distress assistance scheme. Lismore hailstorm, October 2007. Eighty people were assisted after their homes were damaged by a hailstorm with more than $340,000 being provided under the Personal Hardship and Distress assistance scheme. Blacktown hailstorm, December 2007. As a result of the hailstorm which struck Blacktown and surrounding areas, the State Disaster Recovery Centre received over 300 calls for assistance and advice. DoCS coordinated Red Cross and Anglicare in an outreach program to deliver information to more than 2,500 homes in the affected area and DoCS Disaster Recovery Officers made more than 100 home visits. A number of applications for assistance with structural repairs to homes were processed. A range of SEMC member agencies supported the operations at the Information and Assistance Centre (Blacktown Civic Centre) established by the Hailstorm Taskforce. Western NSW flooding, December 2007. Sixteen requests for assistance were received from residents affected by severe weather in the Lake Cargelligo area on 21 and 22 December 2007. Engineering Services support was critical to restoring the community water supply, which had been damaged during the storm. Northern Rivers flooding, January 2008. Heavy rainfall on the North and Mid North Coastal Areas on the weekend beginning the 5 January 2008 resulted in more than 300 people being accommodated in five evacuation centres. A further evacuation centre was established in Ballina on 7 January 2008. DoCS staff from Glenn Innes assisted SES in supplying essential goods to 700 campers at Boonoo Boonoo after they were stranded by flood waters. Significant engineering resources were required to restore infrastructure damaged by the flooding. A Recovery Centre was established in Kyogle on 9 January 2008 and closed on 29 February 2008 Grenfell fire, January 2008. A fire in a tyre shop required the evacuation of about 60 residents from the surrounding area, with a small number requiring emergency overnight accommodation. Ultimo explosion, February 2008. On 4 February an explosion and fire in a fast food shop resulted in the evacuation of approximately 1000 residents from the nine-storey residential block above the shop. ADRA accommodated some 80 people in a nearby hotel with St Vincent de Paul providing material aid, the Red Cross provided personal support and the Salvation Army provided catering. A Recovery Centre was established at the Ultimo Community Centre providing information and support to the residents. The Recovery Centre remained operational until late on the evening of 5 January when all residents were allowed home. Drought. The Department of Community Services continued to administer the Drought Household Assistance Scheme throughout this reporting period. A total of $194,613 was provided to drought-affected families in 2007/2008. A total of $9,482,024 has been provided in assistance since the Scheme began in 2002.
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5 Australian Safer Communities Awards 2007
Emergency Management Australia initiated and has sponsored the Australian Safer Communities Awards annually since 2000. The awards program recognises best practice and innovation in emergency management that contributes to building safer communities. The program has two tiers – State and National. To be considered for a National award, an entry must first win a State level award. NSW received a total of eleven entries for the Australian Safer Communities Awards in 2007. The State presentation ceremony was held on 25 September 2007 at Parliament House, Sydney. The Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees, presented State awards to: Surf Life Saving Australia for its Australian Lifesaving Academy, which works to make Australian communities safer through public safety education. NSW Fire Brigades for its I-Zone Project, which helps prepare for and combat large bushfires on the urban bushland interface. Council of the City of Sydney for its Let’s Get Ready Sydney community awareness campaign, designed to increase the city community’s knowledge on how to prepare for and respond during major incidents and emergencies. In addition, the State assessment panel considered that the following three entries be highly commended: • Mid Western Regional Council for the development of its electronic DISPLAN (Disaster Plan) and emergency management information project. • Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority and NSW State Emergency Service for their Community Flood Education Strategy for Maitland and the Hunter Valley. • NSW Fire Brigades for its Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program. The three winning NSW entries were forwarded to Emergency Management Australia where they were judged by a national panel against other State and Territory winners. The national awards presentation ceremony was held on 14 February 2008 at Parliament House, Canberra. The Australian Attorney General, Robert McClelland, announced the following results: Council of the City of Sydney– Winner, Pre-Disaster – Local Government Category for Let’s Get Ready Sydney Surf Life Saving Australia – Winner, Community Safety Focus Category for the Australian Lifesaving Academy.
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6 Agency, Functional Area and Committee reports
6.1 Ambulance Service of NSW The Ambulance Service NSW is an integral and dynamic part of the New South Wales health system, it is one of the largest ambulance services in the world, and is the largest ambulance service within Australasia. The service provided over 1,118,000 total responses (both emergency and non-emergency) in 2007-08, equivalent to a call for assistance every 28 seconds. Since its modest beginnings in 1895, the Ambulance Service now employs over 3,300 staff, operates from 266 different locations across the state of NSW, boasts over 800 ambulances, 300 support vehicles, four fixed wing aircraft and tasks nine helicopters. The role of the Ambulance Service of NSW in an emergency management setting is to: • provide pre-hospital care and transport for the sick and injured; • establish command and control infrastructure using Incident Control System principles; • provide and/or assume responsibility for transport of health service teams and their equipment to the sites of incidents or emergencies, receiving hospitals or emergency medical facilities when requested by the Health Services Functional Area Coordinator; • provide coordinated communications for all health systems involved in emergency responses; • provide accredited rescue units as determined by the State Rescue Board; • provide Special Casualty Access Teams and Urban Search and Rescue paramedics as required; and • provide fixed and rotary wing pre-hospital and aero-medical retrieval services across New South Wales.
6.1.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.1.1.1 Mitigation The Ambulance Service of NSW began developing a state medical cache during the year. The cache will become an integral component of the NSW State Urban Search and Rescue deployment capability. It will eventually include a rapidly deployable 30 bed portable field hospital. The Ambulance Service of NSW and Microsoft are working together to develop and adopt the collaboration software program (currently under development by Microsoft) GROOVE 2007. Groove enables Incident Management Teams (IMT) to work together dynamically and effectively by sharing information, even if team members work for different organisations or work remotely. 6.1.1.2 Planning Due to the high demand being placed on the Ambulance Service to provide pre-hospital care for major events, a planning template was developed during the year. The template will significantly improve planning efficiency by creating a standard format for Ambulance Service Divisions. In addition to the general planning for special events throughout NSW the Service also planned for major events during the reporting period, including APEC Leaders Week 2007 and World Youth Day 2008. 6.1.1.3 Training and exercises The Ambulance Service developed an exercise template to formalise the approval process and brief key stakeholders about proposed exercises. Training activities during the year included: • Multi Agency Incident Training (MAIT)
- 20 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • Major Incident Training (ASNSW) • Incident Control System (ICS) Training • Microsoft “Groove” Training • Chemical, Biological and Radiological Training • Special Casualty Access Team Training • Rescue Operator Training • Indigo Training • Emergo Training • Securing Our Regional Skies The Ambulance Service participated in the following exercises during the year: • Volume; Ventilator deployment exercise • Nexus; NCTC ICMEX Victoria • Grippe; Pandemic Influenza field deployment • Capital Impact; NCTC ICMEX Canberra CBRN & USAR • Rover I – IV; NCTC Drill Style CBR & Motorcade • Flare II; NCTC Drill Style CBR/IED Field exercise • Southern Impact; NCTC ICMEX South Australia Mass casualty • Mustard; NCTC Drill Style CBR Decon exercise at Health facility • Bright Star I – IV; NCTC Drill Style relating to World Youth Day 6.1.1.4 Capability development
6.1.2 Significant activities – response APEC 2007. The Ambulance Service of NSW and NSW Health combined in a whole-of- health approach to the delivery of health services as requested by the APEC Taskforce. The Ambulance Service of NSW maintained ambulance officers and ambulance resources within the APEC 2007 NSW Police security precinct areas to a level that addressed all health related ambulance incidents and achieved the intent of minimising or eliminating disruption to APEC 2007 meetings and normal ambulance operations. 2008 Olympic Torch Relay. The Special Operations Unit (SOU) was requested to provide SOU Teams to support the ACT Ambulance Service during the 2008 Olympic Torch Run through Canberra.. The SOU Teams have been trained by the NSW Police Public Order Riot Squad (PORS) in providing support to incidents involving public disorder and riots. Bathurst 1000. SOU Teams were deployed to the Bathurst 1000 race during 2007. The teams were deployed in support of the NSW Police PORS response to this event that focused on minimising anti social behaviour.
6.1.3 Future directions The Ambulance Service of NSW, in conjunction with the Council of Ambulance Authorities, is working toward establishing a national and international response capability for support to other jurisdictions and countries affected by major incidents and disasters.
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6.2 NSW Fire Brigades The NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is one of the world’s largest urban fire and rescue services employing 6,675 full-time and on-call firefighters and 393 support staff, with more than 6,550 community fire unit volunteers. The NSWFB is responsible for managing fires in the major cities, regional centres and towns throughout the state. The NSWFB is also the combat agency for dealing with hazardous conditions emergencies; is the largest provider of non-fire rescue services in NSW with 170 accredited rescue units; provides community first responder services at a number of locations for medical emergencies; maintains the state’s specialist building collapse rescue capability (urban search and rescue [USAR]); and provides chemical, biological and radiological response (CBR) in support of the NSW Police Force counter- terrorism arrangements.
6.2.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.2.1.1 Mitigation During 2007-08 the NSWFB implemented a range of strategies to reduce the number and severity of emergency incidents, deaths and property damage in the community through effective prevention, mitigation, preparedness and engagement programs. The main priorities in this area included increasing the number of established Community Fire Units (CFUs) throughout NSW by an additional 37 units, involving an additional 300 residents, working closely with their local fire stations. In June 2008 there were 374 active CFUs across NSW. Other priorities included addressing the safety needs of key at-risk community groups; conducting effective community education programs; establishing and supporting fire-station based community engagement activities; developing strategic partnerships to enhance community safety; increasing community and business preparedness; providing regulatory, advisory, inspection and investigation services; and researching, identifying and addressing major community risks. Firefighters across the state, often in conjunction with the Rural Fire Service, participated in numerous hazard reduction burns, particularly in the local government areas of Bankstown, Hurstville, Manly, Pittwater, Mosman, Sutherland, Bowral, Corowa and Mittagong to reduce fire risk in bush fire prone areas. Weather conditions and fuel moisture unfortunately prohibited many other planned burns from taking place. 6.2.1.2 Planning During 2007-08 the NSWFB continued to review, enhance and develop emergency-related plans to increase community safety, quality of life and confidence by minimising the impact of hazards and emergency incidents on the people, environment and economy of NSW. Organisational planning activities addressed major changes in the external operating environment which will significantly affect the NSWFB in its role in emergency management. These changes include climate change and water shortages; heightened global and regional security risks; demographic changes, including an ageing population; changing fire risks in modern homes; difficulties in attracting retained firefighters in regional areas; reducing volunteerism; greater emphasis on prevention; and increasingly complex hazards. Throughout the year, the NSWFB continued to improve cooperative inter-agency planning to maintain operational preparedness and interoperability with a major focus on APEC 2007 as well as on preparations for World Youth Day 2008. 6.2.1.3 Training and exercises During 2007-08 the NSWFB continued to train staff to deal with identified community risks and implemented a comprehensive program of exercises to rehearse, test and review existing operational plans and capabilities. The NSWFB conducted numerous exercises at local, district and state level targeting multi-agency involvement as both a combat and support agency in accordance with the NSW State Disaster Plan.
- 22 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 During 2007-08 the NSWFB participated in a variety of joint training exercises with other emergency service and support agencies, transport operators, public utilities and industry, including: • The National Counter Terrorism Committee NSW drill-style exercise program in conjunction with other Commonwealth and State agencies; • The NSW Police Force Major Incident and Public Order Commanders Course; • Transport emergency exercises, including airports, road and rail; • Major infrastructure exercises in conjunction with water and energy utilities and other government agencies; • Exercises involving major commercial sites, including high-rise residential blocks, shopping centres, oil refineries and other major industrial sites; • Protective security exercises with a particular focus on dignitary and motorcade protection and multi-agency decontamination at terrorist incidents; and • Rescue and urban search and rescue exercises (to rehearse rescue capabilities, including integrated command and control, logistics and multi-agency deployments of emergency services personnel and equipment). 6.2.1.4 Capability development Throughout 2007-08 the NSWFB focussed on a number of key priorities to ensure appropriate capability development to meet community needs. • Every fire appliance now has an automated external defibrillator installed, with most also receiving updated emergency medical treatment and oxygen resuscitation packs. • All fire stations across the state have now received new Orion gas detector kits and associated subsequent training to increase firefighter and community safety. • Forty six thermal imaging cameras were purchased with 13 being replacements and 33 being new installations across the state, thus greatly increasing fire crew rescue and fire attack capabilities in smoke-filled environments. • Marine 1, the NSWFB’s first vessel with firefighting capabilities was launched in Sydney Harbour in August 2007 and has greatly improved the Brigades’ capability and response times to marine incidents including fires, rescue and hazardous material incidents on Sydney Harbour. • As part of the Brigades’ on-going fleet renewal program,orders were placed for 14 regional pumpers, 31 urban pumpers, 11 bushfire capable vehicles, two 37m ladder- platform units and four heavy rescue vehicles. • Extensive renovations and refurbishments were completed at fire stations in Dee Why, Kyogle, Mona Vale, Leura, St Mary’s and Turvey Park. • New primary rescue accreditations were completed for fire crews at Bulli, Toronto, Belmont, Regentsville and Moama and secondary rescue accreditation was finalised for Engadine. Other emergency management priorities included conducting disaster planning and joint training exercise with other emergency services and government agencies and continued assessment of risks to ensure effective allocation of appropriately-trained staff and resources.
6.2.2 Significant activities – response The NSWFB’s Communication Centres recorded a total of 247,523 emergency calls within the computer-aided dispatch system (FireCAD), initiating a total of 134,888 responses. Examples of major incidents attended included: • A major Hazmat recovery operation at the Kooragang Island shipping terminal in Newcastle in July 2007; • 12th alarm fire at a smallgoods factory in Greenacre in October 2007; • Fatal explosion and fire at a winery in the Hunter Valley in January 2008;
- 23 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • 5th alarm fire at a warehouse in Botany in January 2008; and • 8th alarm fire at a timber and hardware warehouse in Rosebery in March 2008.
6.2.3 Strategic initiatives, achievements, priorities Throughout 2007-08 the NSWFB continued to enhance a number of key strategic initiatives to ensure community resilience during times of emergency. This included expanding the Community Fire Unit Program; enhancing counter-terrorist capability, particularly for USAR and CBR emergencies; and implementing a wide range of community-based engagement programs and prevention strategies.
6.3 NSW Police Force The NSW Police Force is Australia's oldest and largest police organisation, and one of the biggest in the English speaking world. It serves a population of seven million over the State’s 801,600 square kilometres and operates on land, sea and from the air to provide community based policing from more than 500 police stations. The Police Force aims to protect the community and property by preventing, detecting and investigating crime, monitoring and promoting road safety, maintaining social order and performing and coordinating emergency and rescue operations. The Police Force provides Emergency Management Controllers, whose role is to support combat agencies in emergency operations and to control emergencies where there is no combat agency appointed under the State DISPLAN. The Police Force also employs 18 District Emergency Management Officers, who provide planning, training and operational support to District Emergency Management Committees on behalf of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC).
6.3.1 Organisational structure Commissioner Andrew Scipione was appointed Commissioner of Police on 1 September 2007 following the retirement of former Commissioner Ken Moroney. Subsequently, Deputy Commissioners David Owens (Field Operations) and Nick Kaldas (Specialist Operations) were appointed in December 2007, with Deputy Commissioner Owens being appointed as the State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON). Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn was appointed Commander, Central Metropolitan Region and Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller (DSEOCON). The six Region Commanders were appointed as District Emergency Operations Controllers (DEOCONs), co-ordinating support during emergency operations as required. Local Area Commanders are appointed as Local Emergency Operations Controllers (LEOCONs).
6.3.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.3.2.1 Amendments to DISPLAN The SEMC agreed to initiate an amendment to the NSW DISPLAN to change the control of a terrorist incident from an Emergency Operations Controller to the NSW Police Force. In effect, the amendment would create the NSW Police Force as the combat agency for terrorist incidents. A combat agency is the agency identified in DISPLAN as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency. The SEOCON will continue to support the NSW Police Force in managing the consequences of terrorist emergencies. 6.3.2.2 New South Wales Counter Terrorism Plan The NSW Police Force coordinated development of the first edition of the New South Wales Counter Terrorism Plan, which was published in May 2008. The plan aims to inform the general public, business, those working in the counter-terrorism field and government. It
- 24 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 outlines responsibilities, authorities and the mechanisms to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism within New South Wales. The plan takes an inclusive approach to countering terrorism, developing strong linkages across NSW government agencies, the community and the Australian, State and Territory governments. 6.3.2.3 Recovery planning The NSW Police Force is committed to improving recovery arrangements and legislation within the State. In April 2008, Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn and Sergeant Ben Millington attended the 4th International i-Rec conference held in Christchurch, New Zealand themed Building resilience: achieving effective post disaster reconstruction. 6.3.2.4 Education and training The Senior Incident and Emergency Management course, first developed in January 2006, evolved during the year into the renamed Police Incident Command Course. This course is targeted towards senior Police, including Emergency Operations Controllers, and encompasses emergency management, public order and incident command and control. Representatives from all emergency service organisations and functional areas provided input into the development of the course and participate throughout its delivery. Police from Constable and up to and including Sergeant rank are encouraged to complete the Incident and Emergency Management course, which has been conducted for a number of years. This course was recently reviewed and approved by the Academic Board. All students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Policing Practice receive four hours in incident and emergency management training, which better prepares them as operational practitioners once they are confirmed as Probationary Constables. A number of exercises were conducted at Local and District level across the State to test both policing and emergency management responses. Officers from the NSW Police Force also attended courses facilitated by the SEMC and at the Emergency Management Australia Institute, Mount Macedon. New South Wales conducted nineteen counter-terrorist drill-style exercises under the auspices of the National Counter Terrorism Committee during the year. The program involved a number of single and multi-agency exercises, many of which incorporated emergency management responses.
6.3.3 Significant activities – response 6.3.3.1 APEC 2007 In September 2007, Sydney hosted the APEC 2007 Leaders Week meeting, which was the largest security operation conducted by the NSW Police Force since the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The APEC Police Security Command (APSC) coordinated all security aspects relating to the operation, including emergency management planning. Support from all emergency service organisations and functional areas was pivotal to the success of the operation. 6.3.3.2 Equine influenza Equine influenza was detected at the Eastern Creek Quarantine facility on 17 August 2007 with an emergency response initiated by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). NSW was declared a Control Area, which immediately prohibited the movement of horses, horse products and vehicles, except under permit. The then Assistant Commissioner Owens coordinated whole of government support to DPI in his role as Deputy SEOCON. The NSW Police Force played a pivotal role in this response, particularly in the enforcement of movement controls. Operation Gambia was established by Assistant Commissioner Stephen Bradshaw - Corporate Spokesperson, Rural Issues, who coordinated the overall support activities of the NSW Police Force. A number of sections within the NSW Police Force provided long-term assistance to DPI including Rural Crime Investigators, Intelligence, Highway Patrol and General Duties
- 25 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 officers. In addition, the District Emergency Management Officers and Local Emergency Management Committees played key roles in supporting the DPI. During the summer months, the NSW Police Force assisted the NSW Rural Fire Service with various bushfire emergencies across the State. Response operations were supported by Strike Force Tronto which provided advice and assistance in bushfire investigation.
6.3.4 Significant activities – recovery Hunter storms and flooding. On June 8 2007, gale force south easterly winds lashed the east coastal areas of the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney Metropolitan Regions, resulting in one of the most severe storm events in New South Wales’ history. Even though affected areas were widespread, the greatest storm impact was experienced in the Hunter and Central Coast Regions. Following the response operation, Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons, in his role as DEOCON, initiated the recovery process and remained heavily involved once responsibility was handed to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Western Sydney storms. On 9 December 2007, a severe hailstorm badly affected parts of Western and Northern Sydney, particularly the Blacktown local government area with around 9,500 residential and school buildings damaged. Emergency support to the State Emergency Service and initial recovery response were coordinated by Acting Assistant Commissioner Robert Redfern, who was acting as the District Emergency Operations Controller. In view of the significant damage to structures, a Recovery Taskforce was established by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to facilitate long-term recovery. Botany Road. On the 6 March 2008, a main water pipeline underneath Botany Road, Alexandria failed. As a result, a retaining wall on an adjacent construction site moved and was deemed unstable. The construction site, an adjoining licensed premise were evacuated and Botany Road was closed due to immediate safety concerns. In her capacity as Deputy SEOCON, Assistant Commissioner Burn issued a number of directions pursuant to Section 61 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act. The matter remains before the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
6.3.5 Facilities The Police Operations Centre (POC) located at the Sydney Police Centre continued to provide significant support and coordination during public order and planned events including New Years Eve celebrations. The centre was significantly upgraded prior to the APEC Leaders Week and provided effective communication and real time vision, using the array of CCTV across the Sydney CBD.
6.3.6 Future directions Deputy Commissioner Owens commissioned a project into the creation of a Police Emergency Management Unit that would develop and review emergency management policy within the NSW Police Force. The project will also review the role of the District Emergency Management Officers in order to meet increasing operational and training needs. This project is due to completed in late 2008. The Department of Premier and Cabinet released a draft report titled Report on the review of the Police Operations Centre in June 2007. The report was initiated as a result of the Strike Force Neil recommendations and commented on the need to improve interaction between the Police Operations Centre and State Emergency Operations Centre. Following numerous meetings, a number of options were presented to the NSW Police Force Executive and the NSW Government. This remains a priority of the NSW Police Force who will progress the issue in consultation with external stakeholders, including members of SEMC.
- 26 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.4 NSW Rural Fire Service The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is the world’s largest volunteer fire service, with more than 70,000 members in 2,100 rural fire brigades that provide fire protection to approximately 95% of the State. These volunteers are supported by 720 staff located at regional offices, district fire control centres and the Headquarters in Homebush Bay. The RFS is responsible for the coordination of bush fire fighting and bush fire protection throughout the State and the protection of life, property and the environment from fire. The Service provides support to all other emergency services and land management agencies in NSW.
6.4.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.4.1.1 Mitigation The RFS continues to strive to be a leader in complex areas such as development control, bushfire hazard complaints, responsible environmental considerations and community engagement. Interaction with the community before, during and after fires remains the main focus. This, coupled with closer working arrangements with other fire agencies, police and land management agencies and the media, ensures that the Service is able to provide our volunteer membership and the community with appropriate support. Over the 2007-08 reporting period more than 124,000 hectares of hazard reduction was carried out by land management agencies across NSW, protecting more than 20,000 assets, including residential areas and essential infrastructure. The majority of this work was completed in the autumn and early winter months of 2008. RFS volunteers spent more than 49,000 hours delivering community awareness and engagement activities in their local areas. This was represented by some 2,130 activities undertaken across the State. Of these, 749 events were specifically targeted at children and young people and includes the expanded ten week school-based Cadet Training Program. This program was conducted 34 times in the year and is designed to teach our future leaders about community fire safety, fire suppression and volunteering within their community. A total of 632 students successfully completed the program, of whom some 5% were from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. 6.4.1.2 Planning Bushfire management plans, developed at the local level, form the basis for planning for the response to bushfires within local government areas in NSW. The RFS, on behalf of the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee, develops policies, guidelines, frameworks and tools for these plans, and assists the local Bush Fire Management Committees to develop Bush Fire Risk Management Plans and Operational Coordination Plans. 6.4.1.3 Training and exercises The RFS conducted numerous exercises at local and district level targeting multi-agency involvement as both a combat and support agency, in accordance with the Operational Coordination Plans and State Disaster Plan. Each of the four Regions conducted major regional exercises testing the readiness and capabilities of staff and volunteers. They also held Incident Management Workshops and Incident Management Exercises, involving scenario-based training to develop staff and senior volunteer preparedness. During the year the Operations Section conducted more than 25 tours of the State Operations Centre, outlining our operational management approach as well as the state-of-the-art technology being used. Many of these were for NSW, other State, Federal or international authorities who were researching better methods of conducting their own business. It also included community groups such as Probus, Rotary, Legacy, school and cadet groups.
- 27 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.4.1.4 Capability development An updated bushfire risk management planning framework was trialled and finalised during 2007-08. This framework is spatially based and provides significant improvement on the existing structure It will facilitate the production of more realistic and useful planning instruments for fire authorities, land managers and the broader community to effectively manage bushfire risks. The RFS, in conjunction with officers from the Bureau of Meteorology, conducted fire weather courses designed to provide insight into fire weather forecasting. These courses have proven popular, with 75 officers from RFS, NSW Fire Brigades, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Forests NSW attending.
6.4.2 Significant activities – response Section 44 declarations. During the 2007-08 fire season seven declarations were made under Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act (s44), covering 14 different local government areas. The s44 fires occurred between 6 July and 19 October 2007 and ran for a total of 38 days. The longest declaration was for 17 days. More than 755 incident managers and firefighters were involved during this year’s s44 declarations, with 64 strike teams being mobilised, 16 in one day. About 85,000 hectares were burnt under wildfire conditions during the season, with a perimeter in excess of 1,650 kilometres. There were 13 days declared as Total Fire Ban days. Aviation support. The RFS aviation team coordinated 1,119 aircraft tasks during the fire season. A large number of these were to assist SES with flood relief activities including reconnaissance, evacuation or supply drops. Interstate deployment. Interstate assistance was provided to South Australia, where 214 fire fighters and staff were deployed to Kangaroo Island following a request from the South Australian fire authorities. Equine influenza. The RFS provided significant resource assistance to the equine influenza outbreak commencing in September 2007, with 19 personnel being deployed. Storm and flood support. The RFS supported the SES in a number of storm relief activities, with major deployments to the northern and western suburbs of Sydney and areas of Region West (including Bland, Lachlan, Carrathool, Hay and Wellington). Total resources deployed were 289 appliances and 1,093 personnel, including strike teams from Region West (1) and Region South (2) to Sydney. A final count of resources deployed to the Hunter storm in June 2007 totalled 359 appliances and 2,399 personnel.
6.4.3 Strategic initiatives, achievements, priorities The Service undertook a significant review of its Head Office structure to better align functions and lead to more efficient service delivery. The review resulted in a realignment of the Directorates starting on 1 July 2008. The Service adopted a new Strategic Plan during 2007-08 committing itself to the following outcomes: • Integrated approach to risk and emergencies • Strong community understanding and support • Our people reflect the diversity and values of the community they protect • Modern and adaptive organisational structure and practices • Influential in national and international agendas • Responsible environmental management • Financially viable
- 28 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.5 NSW State Emergency Service The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is the combat agency responsible for the planning and control of rescue and response operations for flood, storm and tsunami events. The Service is also responsible for providing assistance and support to the NSW Police Force, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW Rural Fire Service and the Ambulance Service of NSW. The SES provides 89 units accredited for general land rescue and vertical rescue under the State Rescue Board arrangements. The Service also provides Community First Responders to assist the Ambulance Service of NSW provide life-critical first aid in rural and remote areas across the State. The Service comprises some 10,000 volunteers organised into 226 units. The volunteers are supported by 177 staff located at the Service’s 17 Region Headquarters and State Headquarters in Wollongong. Three organisations are affiliated to the SES. These are the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP), the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network.
6.5.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.5.1.1 Mitigation The SES completed an audit of floodplain development projects referred to the Service for comment since 1 July 2007. More than 80 development and rezoning matters have been sent to the Service and more than 40 Major Development Projects have been referred by the Department of Planing since August 2007. The Service contributed to 45 emergency risk management studies throughout the year and provided advice to 31 Councils on floodplain and coastal risk management matters. The Service was a major contributor to the newly launched University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Floodplain Managers post-graduate course. Offered in three modules, the course is aimed at educating staff and elected officials within councils, and also consultants working in floodplain risk management. The course is managed by the NSW Floodplain Management Authorities and the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The SES will be a regular presenter in each of the three modules offered twice each year. 6.5.1.2 Planning The review of Flood Sub-plans was the main activity of the Service’s State and Regional planing resources during the year. During 2007-08 the State Flood Sub-plan was reviewed and endorsed by the State Emergency Management Committee. Fifty four individual local flood sub-plans were in the process of review and of these, 17 were re-endorsed by their respective Local Emergency Management Committees. Flood Intelligence information for 41 key flood warning gauges was also reviewed and updated. The SES also undertook post flood and storm community surveys in nine locations, worked with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to review flood warning arrangements in 24 locations, and prepared pre-written flood warning messages in 23 different catchments. A tropical cyclone briefing was delivered by the SES and BoM to 100 delegates on the far north coast. Throughout the year the Service continued to work on the NSW tsunami arrangements with the Australian Tsunami Working Group (ATWG). The Service has also undertaken a Tsunami Risk Assessment Scoping Study for NSW and the final draft reports were under review at the close of the year. Tsunami briefings for local government and emergency services were delivered to 250 delegates on the south coast. The SES also worked with Emergency Management Australia to develop a Tsunami education CD-ROM for Surf Life Saving Australia and to undertake a review of Pacific island nation tsunami arrangements. The Service has launched a Web-based version of the Business FloodSafe Toolkit. Businesses can now complete their plan on-line. A domestic version called Home FloodSafe has completed pilot testing and the web content is almost completed. Home FloodSafe will be launched later in 2008. - 29 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.5.1.3 Training and exercises Training in critical skill areas has continued throughout the period at State, region and local levels. The total numbers of qualifications exceeded 8,000, with more than 500 Certificate III (Rescue) qualifications issued. Following the review of the Training and Assessment Training Package, new courses in Skills Trainer and Evidence Gatherer (STEG) were delivered during the year and a new Assessor course was also piloted. Alpine Search and Survival training was piloted during the year, in conjunction with the Victoria SES, and selected units are now trained and equipped in this new capability. The SES Learning and Development section has been fully involved in the review of the Public Safety Training Package throughout the period, with volunteers and staff attending six consultation workshops in NSW. The Service delivered exercises for three LEMCs and two DEMCs and also delivered exercise management training to all Region planning staff. 6.5.1.4 Capability development The Service established a Capability Definition Working Group to further refine the articulation, measurement and development of capability within the SES. The end product of this group will be a capability model that will provide a link between capabilities into the future and the path along which they are to be developed. Key areas of capability development are as follows: • continued development of an Alpine Search and Rescue capability to better support the NSW Police Force conduct of land search in remote alpine areas of the state; and • the collaborative partnership with the Ambulance Service aimed at providing enhanced first aid capabilities in rural NSW has continued. The SES now has nine units that undertake community first-response activities within their local areas. The SES and Ambulance Service plan to expand this capability over the next financial year.
6.5.2 Significant activities – response The major operational activity for the year was the response operation following a fierce hail storm that struck Western Sydney in December. The focus of the storm was the Blacktown area and the SES controlled a multi-agency response operation to respond to more than 6000 requests for assistance. This event was followed by a steady flow of weather events in the Sydney metropolitan area, which complicated recovery operations in Blacktown, meaning a steady operational engagement was maintained through January and February. In April 2008, a NSW contingent responded to a request from Victoria to assist in responding to damage after significant wind and storms that occurred in the south of that State. The NSW SES contingent completed 281 of the 5384 requests for assistance received by the Victoria SES. In addition to these operational activities, the Service provided support to the Department of Primary Industries during the equine influenza outbreak in an operational management and overflow call taking capacity. The SES responded to 579 road crash rescue activations and 244 community first responder activities during the year.
6.5.3 Significant activities – recovery The SES continues to contribute to the development of improved processes and procedures associated with the transition between initial response operations and long-term recovery operations. The SES handed over operations to regional and local recovery committees following the June flood and storm event centred on Maitland, Gosford and Wyong, the Western Sydney hail storm, and in the floods in Richmond Tweed area in January 2008.
- 30 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.5.4 Strategic initiatives and priorities The SES conducted multi-agency after-action reviews for the flood and storm operation in the Hunter region, the Blacktown hailstorm and the flood operations in the Richmond Tweed. The Service published two comprehensive manuals covering Planning and Flood Intelligence. Although aimed at SES personnel, the manuals have a broader application. The New Zealand Government has published a national Mass Evacuation Planning Guide. It is pleasing to note the NZ guide has adopted the evacuation time line analysis process developed by the SES during the Hawkesbury-Nepean Flood Management Strategy. A major NDMP project to audit all NSW flood levees and document their physical condition was completed. The project also identified key emergency management issues in overtopping and evacuation scenarios. The Service will incorporate this knowledge into flood planning. The SES Cadet Program was successfully piloted at three high schools in Taree, Orange and Bankstown. The program is targeted at years 9 and 10 and involves a 10 week school-based course. Some 65 students participated in the pilot. The Cadet Program will be implemented in FY 2008/09 and will be rolled out to 30 high schools across NSW. Volunteer Controller development has been a priority during the period, with a revised Controller review process implemented and an orientation process for newly appointed Controllers introduced. A new training resource kit has also been developed titled Looking After People. This resource focuses on a range of people-management skills and recruitment and retention strategies. This initiative will be piloted and rolled out during 2008/2009.
6.5.5 Future directions Major planning targets for 08/09 are: review of Hawkesbury-Nepean Flood Emergency State Sub-Plan; review of NSW Tsunami Emergency Sub-plan; NSW Tsunami risk assessment for selected high priority sites; tsunami capacity-building, including regional coastal hazards planning and development of tsunami training and exercise material; finalisation of the Flash Flood Shelter In Place research project; and work to complete digitisation of all available flood extent surfaces into a GIS hazards database to enable selected layers to be shared with other stakeholders.
6.6 Volunteer Rescue Association The VRA provides accredited land and marine rescue services in New South Wales. The VRA is the second largest provider of primary accredited rescue units in NSW, with 73 affiliated volunteer rescue organisations and 3,500 people. The Association is an important partner in supporting other emergency services as part of the NSW emergency management structure.
6.6.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness The VRA conducted an intensive recruiting campaign throughout the State during the year, resulting in 104 new trainees. These trainees will complete their induction phase, and depending on their individual ability, be assessed by December 2008. 6.6.1.1 Planning The VRA continued to provide representation on Local, District and State Emergency Management Committees. 6.6.1.2 Training and exercises A number of training exercises have been conducted in the reporting period. Local and Regional exercises included sea search and rescue, inland waterways search and rescue, air search, cave search and rescue, wilderness navigation, transport rescue, snowfield search and rescue, first aid and cliff rescue. The VRA has been involved in joint exercises with other emergency services throughout the State.
- 31 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.6.1.3 Capability development Website upgrade. The existing organisational website was revamped during the year to enhance safety bulletins, news items and profiles. Hi-tech cutters. This year has seen VRA land rescue squads receive another nine sets of new technology hydraulic cutters. These cutters are valued at $9,000 each and are designed to cut through new-age metals in modern motor vehicles or industrial machinery. They are an urgent necessity as the former cutters will not efficiently shear the new materials. The coming year will see more cutters purchased. VRA corporate database. The organisation has commissioned a new computer database. The database will maintain the records on corporate governance, human resource data, training data, audio/visual library, rescue tasks, workload statistics, an asset register, vehicle, vessel and trailer register, programmed maintenance register, insurance register, risk management register, special operating procedures, policy register, safety bulletins and administrative records.
6.6.2 Significant activities – response The reporting year was a busy one for the VRA, with nearly 9,000 operational tasks. Full statistics are reported in the organisation’s annual report and the State Rescue Board annual report. VRA volunteers have been an important part of emergency operations in support of combat agencies, including the storms in north and western Sydney in December 2007, a range of bushfire operations and the significant multi-agency rescue at Wombeyan Cave in May 2008.
6.6.3 Strategic priorities The organisation has ten strategic directions for 2008-2009, which are to enhance: • recruiting; • retention; • succession; • competency based training; • critical incident support, peer support and chaplaincy; • our public profile; • the effectiveness of the partnerships with our sponsors; • our urban search and rescue (USAR) capability; • the number of major incident units; and • our liaison with the other emergency services.
6.7 NSW Maritime
6.7.1 Purpose NSW Maritime is the State agency responsible for ensuring that NSW is ready to respond to marine oil or chemical spills and any shipping accident in NSW State waters that could lead to an oil or chemical spill. NSW Maritime is the statutory agency under the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances (the National Plan) arrangements and has authority for marine pollution in its jurisdiction. Combat agency roles for responding to marine oil and chemical spills and shipping accidents are divided between NSW Maritime and the Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla Port Corporations. NSW Maritime has the combat agency role for marine incidents in State waters from the Queensland border to Fingal Head (Port Stephens) and from Gerroa (Seven Mile
- 32 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Beach) to the Victorian border; while the Port Corporations are combat agencies for incidents in the following areas: • Fingal Head to Catherine Hill Bay - Newcastle Port Corporation; • Catherine Hill Bay to Garie Beach - Sydney Ports Corporation; and • Garie Beach to Gerroa - Port Kembla Port Corporation.
6.7.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.7.2.1 Mitigation Debrief reports on the Pasha Bulker grounding (June 2007) and the major State exercise, Exercise Oily Carp were prepared and the recommendations are being implemented. 6.7.2.2 Planning The NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan underwent an extensive review and was endorsed by the NSW National Plan Executive Committee and the SEMC during the year. Following that endorsement, the NSW State Waters Oil and Chemical Spill Response Arrangements brochure was reviewed and reprinted. NSW Maritime continued to represent NSW on the various National Plan committees and working groups. 6.7.2.3 Training and exercises NSW Maritime conducted the following training courses: • Introduction to Marine Incident Management (2 courses); • Marine Incident Responder 1 (1 course); • Oiled Shoreline Assessment and Cleanup (2 courses ); and • Basic responder course for Newcastle Port Corporation (1 course) A total of 35 Maritime personnel and 38 personnel from other agencies attended the courses. Exercise Oily Carp, a discussion exercise, was conducted on 12-13 March 2008. Its aim was to assess the capacity of the NSW emergency management arrangements to respond to a Tier 2 marine oil spill on the North Coast of NSW. The exercise was attended by 130 personnel from 30 agencies and organisations. Each of the five commercial ports conducted an annual equipment deployment exercise. An equipment deployment exercise was held at Lord Howe Island in May 2008. Additionally a number of State personnel attended national training courses.
6.7.3 Significant activities – response There were no significant incidents during the year, however, several minor incidents occurred involving oil spills from ships within the major trading ports. The Port Corporations responded to these incidents within their respective port areas.
6.7.4 Future directions NSW Maritime plans to continue implementing its training and exercise program to ensure that NSW has the capacity to respond effectively to major marine oil or chemical spills and shipping accidents. The migration of the NSW Oil Spill Response Atlas to a new GIS platform (ArcGIS) is planned for the 2008-09 year.
6.8 Department of Premier and Cabinet SEMC Member Paul Clark Executive Officer: Alison Francis
- 33 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is a member of the State Emergency Management Committee. DPC takes the lead in whole of government initiatives and provides coordination and facilitation support to planning, response and recovery activities as required.
6.8.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.8.1.1 Planning Frameworks for Reception Points and Recovery Centres. International experience has demonstrated the value in having formalised processes relating to the reception, identification and assessment (from an investigative and welfare perspective) of persons who have been involved in a suspected terrorist incident. DPC chaired a multi-agency Working Group to develop Frameworks for Reception Points and Additional Arrangements for Recovery from a terrorist incident. The Frameworks were approved by the Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism on 1 November 2007. The Reception Points Framework provides a policing framework for the management, reception, identification, classification and collection of evidence or information from persons during or following a suspected terrorist incident. The Recovery Centre Framework (Additional Arrangements for Recovery from a Terrorist Incident) is based on existing NSW emergency management arrangements for the establishment of Recovery Centres and describes the additional services that would be activated in response to a terrorist incident. Pandemic planning NSW has been actively involved in the COAG pandemic exercise program, Exercise Sustain 08. Two of the three discussion exercises were conducted in 2007-08. The third discussion exercise and functional exercise will be conducted in late 2008. Exercise Sustain 08 drew on the findings of Exercise Cumpston 06 and the National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic. It is intended to exercise national governance arrangements, public communication capabilities and identify policy issues in selected key areas that may arise when an influenza pandemic is widespread in Australia. 6.8.1.2 Capability development
6.8.2 secureNSW On 11 November 2007 the Premier and the Minister for Police launched the secureNSW website www.secure.nsw.gov.au, a joint initiative of DPC and the NSW Police Force. The website is a one-stop-shop for information relating to countering terrorism. It provides an overview of the NSW arrangements capability to counter terrorism. Resources include legislation, initiatives, media and NSW’s current threat environment. The website has an ‘incident live’ mode which can be activated following a terrorist incident to provide accurate and timely information to, and to receive information from, the public.
6.8.3 Significant activities – recovery DPC undertook a significant coordination role in the major recovery activities in the Hunter and Central Coast storms and the Blacktown Hailstorms. This was a continuation of its informal role under emergency management arrangements over many years.
6.8.4 Strategic initiatives 6.8.4.1 CBD Emergency Warning System DPC led the project to install an Emergency Warning System (PA/Siren and Video Messaging) in the Sydney CBD. The Emergency Warning System was launched by the NSW Government on 2 September 2007 following successful testing in August 2007. The system was operational during APEC Leaders’ Week.
- 34 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.8.4.2 NSW Counter Terrorism Plan DPC worked with the NSW Police Force to develop the NSW Counter Terrorism Plan which was released on 5 May 2008. It is available on the secureNSW website.
6.9 Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator/Chair: Doug Hocking (to 16 March 2008 Renata Brooks (from 17 March 2008) Deputy: Graeme Eggleston Executive Officer: Suzanne Robinson Members: Organisation Name Department of Primary Industries Renata Brooks Animal Welfare Advisory Council Ross Burton / Bob Biggs Animal Welfare League NSW Maryanne Dalton Australian Chicken Meat Federation Vivien Kite Australian Egg Industry association Nola Komis Australian Veterinary Association NSW Frank Doughty Department of Environment and Climate Mike Fleming Change Dogs NSW Alan Candlish Fauna and Marine Parks Association Paul Metcalf HANROB Brett Bell Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai Local Agricultural and Judy Perrin Animal Emergency Group Horse Rescue Australia Barbara Frawley Local Government Association and Shires Robert Verhey Association of NSW Manly Warringah Pittwater Local Agricultural Peggy Brown (till 30 September 2008) and Animal Emergency Group Currently vacant Native Animals Trust Fund Audrey Koosmen Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers Inc Julia Davies NSW Cat Fanciers Association Cheryl Steffe / Fiona Cooper NSW Farmers’ Association Shaughn Morgan NSW Food Authority David Miles Pet Industry Association Les Sperrin / Joanne Sillince Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dave O’Shannessy Animals (RSPCA) State Council for Rural Lands Protection Steve Orr Boards Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Greg Patterson
- 35 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Wildlife Information and Rescue Service Jim Watt (WIRES)
6.9.1 Purpose The Department of Primary Industries sponsors the functional area and is also the combat agency for animal and plant diseases and infestations. The purpose of the functional area committee is to coordinate the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of emergencies involving agriculture and animals.
6.9.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.9.2.1 Mitigation During the financial year, the functional area devoted significant energy to the emergency management issues related to animal accommodation and small holdings. The Committee finalised its project on emergency management defensive and evacuation planning for animal holding establishments and produced a management guide and expanded the Response Plans for Hobby Farmers & Rural Residential Landholders project to include the development of natural disaster planning kits for hobby farmers in the Georges River and Lower Hawkesbury floodplain areas. As part of developing community education resources, the NSW DPI updated the emergency management, bushfire and flood information web pages on the public website and updated various emergency information pamphlets and Primefacts. The functional area prepared for a potential locust plague by initiating an update of the Australian Plague Locust Standard Operating Procedures into Policy and Procedures. Memoranda of understanding were finalised between the Australian Horse Industry Council and WIRES and the process of developing memoranda of understanding with Australian Seabird Rescue, Royal Agricultural Society Homebush and Equestrian Federation of Australia. Work on the National BioSIRT database system continued and the innovative Carcase Disposal Project was completed during the year. 6.9.2.2 Planning The focus of planning during the year was broad, with the functional area contributing to multi-agency planning through its representation on the Aircraft Emergency Operations Advisory Committee, the SEMC Food Emergency sub-committee, the SEMC Climate Change Working Group, the SEMC Major Evacuation Centre Planning Animal Welfare sub- group, NSW Pandemic Influenza Taskforce and planning committees for the Sydney CBD emergency plan, major structure collapse plan and marine oil spills plan. The Committee also contributed to continuing review of national plans for emergency animal and plant diseases. The Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan and Animal Health Sub-Plan were updated during the year and NSW DPI initiated development of a Shark Attack Response Plan. Functional area representatives at local and district level were active in a range of local and district planning activities, including contributing to emergency risk management studies and DISPLAN reviews. NSW DPI contributed to STAMPEDE (Strategic Tamworth Action Management Plan for Endemic & Exotic Disease Events) which was coordinated by Tamworth Regional Council to develop a biosecurity plan for the region. Operational preparedness was maintained by maintaining participation in the National Rapid Response Team and attending the NSW Tropical Cyclone briefing workshops conducted by the SES and Bureau Meteorology.
- 36 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 As a result of plague locust swarm activity and suspected egg-laying activity in the south- west and central parts of the State during autumn 2008, NSW DPI developed response plans for a locust outbreak in spring 2008. Preparedness activities included surveillance, communications, training, policy and procedural reviews and reviewing resources. 6.9.2.3 Training and exercises NSW DPI staff and members of the functional area were involved in a number of training activities during the year. These included a range of activities as part of NSW DPI First Response Team preparedness activities, such as continued focus on disease headquarters training, systems and procedure development, and developing Regional Response Teams to respond to general emergencies. NSW DPI staff contributed to the Police Incident Command Courses and NSW Health emergency management training courses and conducted several Introduction to Emergency Management training courses across the State. In addition, two flood discussion exercises were held for NSW DPI staff to familiarise them with the NSW DPI Flood Operating Plan. NSW DPI and Functional area representatives participated in three significant exercises during the year: • Exercise Oily Carp in March 2008, a discussion exercise conducted by NSW Maritime, which provided other agencies a better understanding of the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area’s role. • Exercise Sheepcatcher (July-August 2007). This national exercise aimed to test the capability of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) against the National Performance Standards for Livestock Capability. • Exercise Fairly Fed – a national Food Continuity exercise conducted by the NSW Food Authority, which tested the draft national plan for ensuring food continuity of the food chain in an influenza pandemic and linkages between government and industry response.
6.9.3 Significant activities – response Animal disease – equine influenza (EI) – on 24 August 2007 an outbreak of EI was confirmed in NSW. NSW DPI as lead agency for animal disease emergencies activated its State Disease Headquarters at Orange, Local Disease Control Centre at Menangle and various Forward Command Posts in the infected areas. Liaison Officers were deployed to SEOC. The response resulted in hundreds of personnel from a range of government and non- government agencies and the private sector being deployed. Other agency assistance was provided by OES, DECC, RSPCA, SES, RFS and Transport. NSW was declared EI free on 29 February 2008. Flooding. The functional area responded to floods in the central and north-west during December 2007, the north coast and mid north coast in January 2008, and northern rivers, central coast and Hunter valley in April 2008. NSW DPI staff attended emergency operations centres, coordinated the location, rescue and emergency feeding of stock, care for pets in evacuation centres and activated the Flood Hotline (assess/register damage). Animal disease – Anthrax. The NSW DPI responded to an anthrax outbreak in the Hunter Valley in December 2007 . The disease was found on a ten properties. In total, 54 head of cattle and one horse died on the with the event finalised in late January 2008.
6.9.4 Significant activities – recovery NSW DPI staff coordinated recovery activities after the central and north west floods including the use of helicopters to locate stock, drop emergency fodder and remove stranded livestock, develop an online register of fencing contractors and deliver a number of recovery workshops. The functional area also assisted in recovery activities after the north coast and mid-north coast floods including attendance at flood assistance community meetings, activating a Flood Hotline and coordinating the clean-up of a major fish kill on the Richmond River.
- 37 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The functional area assisted in recovery activities after the June 2007 Hunter Valley floods. This included assistance with the disposal of dead stock, staff attendance at the One Stop Information Shops and assisting in coordinating the distribution of donated fodder. A key activity during the financial year was to coordinate recovery activities after the equine influenza emergency. Strategic initiatives, achievements, priorities The Department intends to continue to implement emergency management training workshops for NSW DPI staff including those on the NSW First Response Team, National Rapid Response Team and Regional Response Teams who are deployed during the initial response phase of an animal/plant/fish health, pest emergencies or general emergency. NSW has employed a OHS Project Officer to implement recommendations from a review into Emergency Management OHS. A priority for 2008/09 is to complete a memorandum of understanding between NSW DPI and the ACT involving emergency arrangement for pest and disease responses. The memorandum will provide an overview to the arrangements that would apply where a local control would operate across a border. It will be supported by guidelines that will encourage more decisions to be made pre-incident rather than once an incident has occurred.
6.10 Communications Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: Tony Gates (Department of Commerce) Deputy Steven Smith (Department of Commerce)
6.10.1 Purpose Communications involves the provision of services for the two-way transport of information (voice and data) between different parties, generally by varying types of telephone or radio services. It excludes the one-way broadcasting of public radio or television signals. The responsibility for the telecommunications industry and the management of radio frequency spectrum in Australia rests with the Australian Government. The Communications Functional Are was formed as a result of the deregulation of the telecommunications industry in the early 1990s and the need to have coordinated state input into the development of national strategies for radio and telecommunications. The Communications Functional Area is sponsored by the Government Chief Information office (Department of Commerce), which has responsibility for the NSW Government Telecommunications Agreements (GTAs), the NSW Government Broadband Service (GBS) and the NSW Government Radio Network (GRN) and Mobile Data Radio Network (MDRS). It represents NSW on various national committees. Communications is integral to an agency’s operational activities and telecommunications are generally supplied by commercial service providers direct to agencies. Agencies either operate their own radio networks or use the GRN/MDRS. Some agencies do both. The functional area liaises with all agencies and more than 90 communications services providers on communications issues on an ongoing basis
6.10.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness Telecommunications service providers are responsible for ensuring the continuation of telecommunications services in emergencies and agencies are responsible for ensuring that they have a diverse mixture of communications services to ensure continued operations in emergencies. The functional area has specific responsibilities to maintain GRN and MDRS services on a 24 x 7 basis. GRN links are currently being converted from in-ground wired services to predominantly above ground wireless (microwave) services. The GRN is also being upgraded from a mixed digital/analogue service to a fully digital service. - 38 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 A draft communications plan was developed during the year. 6.10.2.1 Capability development As Chair of the National Coordinating Committee for Government Radio communications (NCCGR), the functional area is leading efforts to improve interoperability across jurisdictional boundaries.
6.10.3 Significant activities – response The functional area was involved in addressing communications failures in Eden, Blacktown and Bathurst during the reporting year.
6.10.4 Strategic initiatives and priorities The functional area has obtained NSW Government agreement to fund the upgrade of the GRN to digital technology and to carry out a review into the future direction of radio in NSW. The functional area has also obtained NCCGR approval-in-principle to a strategic framework, a necessary first step towards developing a national strategic plan for the deployment of government radio communications in Australia.
6.10.5 Future directions The priorities for the financial year 2008-09 are: • finalisation of the Government Telecommunications Agreements; • completion of the review into mobile radio in NSW; • substantial progress on the GRN upgrade; and • development of a national strategic emergency communication plan.
6.11 Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: Mr Ralph Grimes (Department of Water and Energy) Executive Officer: Mr Russell Wade (Department of Water and Energy) Members (as at June 2008): Organisation Name NSW Government agency members Department of Water and Energy (DWE) Ralph Grimes (NSW NOSEC member) Adrian Amey (Natural Gas sub group) NSW Police Ben Millington, Sean Villa Department of Commerce David Wilkins (ESFAC) Electricity Industry Sector TransGrid Andrew Kingsmill EnergyAustralia Rod Cade Integral Energy Peter Langdon Country Energy Robbie Sinclair Macquarie Generation John Neely Delta Electricity David Hogg Snowy Hydro Limited Ken Lister Eraring Energy Dave Russell Gas Industry Sector ActewAGL Gas Networks Macleay Connelly
- 39 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name AGL Energy Joe Mediati Alinta Asset Management (now Jemena) David Ryan BHP Billiton Wholesale Gas Brett Langley Country Energy (Gas) Geoff Walker Water Industry Sector Sydney Water David Parsons Hunter Water Corporation Colin Cribb Sydney Catchment Authority Steven Hancock State Water Corporation James Titterton ActewAGL Water Networks Dale Weber Country Energy Water Networks John Coffey Petroleum and LPG Industry Sector Caltex Australia Limited Grant Perris The Shell Company of Australia Limited Paul Lunt Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd Peter Maher VOPAK Terminals Australia Neil W Trillo Elgas Ltd Aldo Costabile
6.11.1 Purpose The Department of Water and Energy (DWE) sponsors the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area. The purpose of the functional area is to provide coordinated support to an emergency where there is an actual or threatened significant disruption in supply of an energy or utility service within New South Wales. These coordination arrangements are outlined in the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Supporting Plan, which is part of the framework of the State Disaster Plan. Industry sectoral working groups work with the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Coordinator to: • Review industry plans for responding to a supply disruption and ensure consistency with NSW and Commonwealth plans. • Review emergency and infrastructure risk assessments to identify threats to the continuity of supply of energy and utility services. • Conduct exercises which test the plans, assess the impacts caused by supply interruptions and identify the inter-dependencies between the industry sectors and other functional areas. • Advise the State Emergency Operations Controller, SEMC, other functional areas and stakeholders as required, on issues relevant to the supply of energy and utility services. • Provide energy and utility service support to any agency that is responding to, or engaged in, any stage of an emergency.
6.11.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.11.2.1 Mitigation Functional area members continue to participate in the critical infrastructure protection activities of the Energy and Water Industry Assurance Advisory Groups (IAAGs) as part of the Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN). The networking activities of these IAAGs assist the energy and utility service providers to exchange information on risks and mitigation measures for infrastructure and for ensuring the continuity of supply of water and energy.
- 40 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.11.2.2 Planning Liquid Fuels. DWE provides a NSW jurisdictional representative with liquid fuel industry experience on the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee (NOSEC). NOSEC now reports through the Energy Security Division of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE). MCE authorised NOSEC to commission a Liquid Fuels Vulnerability Assessment (LFVA) and to hold a national petroleum emergency simulation exercise. EUSFAC contributed to the LFVA on NSW aspects of the liquid fuel industry. The LVFA will inform the National Energy Security Assessment, due to be released in late 2008. Exercise Catalyst 2008 was held in June 2008 and tested high level Australian Government and inter-jurisdictional coordination arrangements for major petroleum supply disruptions. These activities, together with the revised National Liquid Fuels Emergency Response Plan, will inform a review of the NSW Liquid Fuel Supply Disruption Response Plan. Natural Gas. The NSW Natural Gas Supply Disruption Response Plan was endorsed by SEMC in March 2008. The National Gas Emergency Response Advisory Committee (NGERAC) commissioned a gas emergency simulation exercise in June 2008. Exercise Pango tested the inter-jurisdictional and industry coordination arrangements for the management of a gas supply emergency in the interconnected natural gas system in eastern Australia. The exercise informed the development and use of the gas bulletin board to management such emergencies. APEC 2007. This event required a substantial commitment of sector resources in the final planning and preparations for the conduct of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. EUSFAC convened a sector Critical Infrastructure Working Group, which included the telecommunications industry, and developed a Coordination Plan. The EUSFAC team, including partners from Country Energy and Sydney Catchment Authority, assisted the APEC Police Security Command (APSC) in the conduct of Operation Contego by coordinating sector activities on a 24/7 basis at the APEC Police Operations Centre throughout APEC. World Youth Day (WYD). EUSFAC coordinated sector planning and preparations for providing support to the World Youth Day events and the World Youth Day Coordination Authority (WYDCA). EUSFAC convened a Utilities Working Group, including an increased telecommunications industry presence. The Working Group developed a Coordination Plan to support WYDCA and the WYD Security Command during of Operation Angelis. Critical Infrastructure. Through the Department of Premier and Cabinet, EUSFAC requested the Commonwealth Government Critical Infrastructure Protection Modelling and Analysis (CIPMA) project team to undertake studies on the inter-dependencies between utilities and venues. The results were used in event contingency planning. The CIPMA team demonstrated the outputs to sector members and government agencies in late June 2008. Electricity. In November 2007, EUSFAC convened a Wires Down Working Group comprising representatives from the Emergency Services Organisations (ESOs) and the electricity Network Service Providers (NSPs). The Working Group developed a Wires Down Sub Plan as a high level coordination plan to address this specific hazard and to enable individual organisations to further develop working agreements. EUSFAC continued to participate in a project to develop a contingency plan for the heavy haulage of components for power stations and transmission systems under recurrent replacement programs and emergencies. A report on this project was submitted for the relevant Government Committee decision in April 2008. Emergency management plans (functional area level). Commitments to the planning and preparations for the APEC 2007 Forum, followed by World Youth Day 2008, took priority over planned work on emergency management plans during the year. The status of functional area plans is as follows: • Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Supporting Plan (inaugural plan-December 2004, review in progress). • NSW Natural Gas Supply Disruption Response Plan (endorsed March 2008).
- 41 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • NSW Electricity Emergency Management Plan - concept draft plan is being developed to anticipate changes in emergency response procedures with the introduction of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in 2009. • NSW Petroleum Supply Disruption Response Plan - review approved by the Minister for Energy for development and consultation in 2008-2009. • NSW Metropolitan Water Supply Disruption Response Plan - concept draft. • Wires Down Sub Plan - final draft June 2008 for SEMC endorsement in 2008. NSW Natural Gas Supply Disruption Response Plan was the first energy and utilities supply disruption sub plan endorsed by the Minister for Energy and SEMC. 6.11.2.3 Training and exercises Energy and Utility Services Functional Area members participated in the following exercises during 2007-08: Exercise Name Sponsor Date Black Stump TransGrid 5 Oct 07 Capitals International Energy Agency 11 Oct 07 NYE Tabletop - CBD OPSE 13 Nov 07 NYE Tabletop – North Sydney OPSE 19 Nov 07 Night Watch NEMMCO 22 Nov 07 Road Runner IV SEMC 19 Mar 08 WYD Tabletops x 5 WYDCA April 08 Catastrophic Disaster Workshop EMA 14 May 08 Pango NGERAC 11 Jun 08 Catalyst NOSEC 17 Jun 08 EUSFAC’s team members participated in the following training courses during 2007-08: EUSFAC Member Course Date Ralph Grimes Police Senior Officers Incident 26-27 Nov 08 Command Course (ICC) 27 Feb 08 Russell Wade Grad Cert Emergency Management 19-23 Nov 07 residential modules 2 and 3 16-20 Jun 08
6.11.2.4 Capability development Large-scale event coordination was a significant feature of the 2007-08 reporting period, requiring a substantial commitment of resources to plan for and participate in the APEC 2007 Forum and WYD 2008 events. Members of the Critical Infrastructure and Emergency Management Unit also undertook a wider work program, notably the resolution of the ‘wires down’ situation and the redrafting of the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Supporting Plan. Participation in the development of the NSW Police Senior Officers’ Incident Command Course (ICC) training and the conduct of pilot courses has enabled EUSFAC to establish a wider network of relationships at the District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON) level, building on the experiences gained during the June 2007 storms.
- 42 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.11.3 Significant activities – response From November to December 2007, EUSFAC monitored State fuel stocks in critical fuel grades and provided briefings during a disruption to liquid fuel supplies following an unplanned local refinery shutdown. In December 2007, the NSW representative on the National Gas Emergency Response Advisory Committee coordinated NSW arrangements for the restricted flow of natural gas and monitored critical gas flows during a scheduled shutdown of the gas supply plant in Moomba, SA. From January to June 2008, EUSFAC monitored State fuel stocks in critical fuel grades and provided briefings during a protracted liquid fuel supply disruption following a planned shutdown at a major local refinery.
6.11.4 Significant activities – recovery There were no significant sector recovery activities coordinated by EUSFAC during the reporting period.
6.11.5 Strategic achievements The strategic achievements for EUSFAC were: • Facilitated the planning, coordination, and support for: Critical Infrastructure Protection, incident response preparedness for major events; APEC 2007, with APEC Police Security Command; for WYD 2008, with WYDCA and WYD Police Security Command, and the Energy and Utility Services sector; • Coordinated with the telecommunications sector on event planning and response; • Heightened responsiveness to demands and requests made of EUSFAC; • Participation in the development and delivery of the NSW Police Incident Command Course; • Facilitated response to follow-up enquiries arising from the ICC training; • Influenced change in awareness of the Energy and Utility Services sector among stakeholders for critical infrastructure and emergency management issues; and • Demonstrated capability to coordinate sectoral preparedness for large-scale events. The strategic priorities for EUSFAC are: • Position EUSFAC within DWE as part of the supporting agency review; • Establish priorities for core activities within the State Plan context; • Continue to develop DEOCON level relationships; • Review and revise the NSW Petroleum Supply Disruption Response Plan; • Assess the impacts of the proposed Australian Energy Market Operator on current emergency arrangements for the gas and electricity markets; • Consult with the sector on the revision of the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Supporting Plan; • Develop a concept draft supply disruption response plan for the continuity of metropolitan water supply in NSW; and • Develop scenarios and inter-dependency studies for continuity of supply across the electricity, gas, liquid fuel, water, wastewater and telecommunications industries and the transport sector in consultation with the Ministry of Transport.
6.12 Engineering Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: David Wilkins (Department of Commerce) Deputy: Rick Still (Department of Commerce)
- 43 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Members: Organisation Name Department of Commerce David Wilkins Department of Water and Energy Ralph Grimes Department of Environment and Climate Change Joe Woodward Hunter Water Corporation Dean Taylor Roads and Traffic Authority John Dinan State Forests of NSW Charles Rohan City of Sydney Wayne Mackenzie Sydney Water Corporation David Parsons
6.12.1 Purpose The NSW Department of Commerce sponsors the Engineering Services Functional Area, which is responsible for coordinating the engineering services component of the NSW Government’s emergency management arrangements. The Engineering Services Functional Area focuses on providing an engineering response to emergencies in support of combat and other agencies.
6.12.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.12.2.1 Mitigation The Engineering Services Functional Area is a standing member of the State Disaster Mitigation Sub-Committee and reviews all applications for Natural Disaster Mitigation Program funding. The functional area also provides expert analysis and comment on applications for other grant and award programs. 6.12.2.2 Planning During the year, the functional area completed a full revision of State Engineering Services Supporting Plan, which was endorsed by the SEMC in June 2008. The functional area was also involved in a review of roles and responsibilities in emergency recovery, a review of task force deployment preparedness as part of the USAR Advisory Committee and collecting Sydney CBD High Rise Building Data, which involved collecting detailed structural data on 20 of the tallest buildings in the CBD and assessing their vulnerabilities. 6.12.2.3 Training and exercises Engineer-specific training continues with District Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinators from across NSW brought together on two occasions for internal training workshops and exercises. These activities develop the capability of Engineering Services team members to respond to emergency events. In addition engineering participated in a range of inter-agency exercises including the marine oil spill Exercise Oily Carp and the EMA sponsored catastrophic disaster workshop (CBD bomb blasts). The functional area is represented on the case-study exercise panel at the Police Incident Command Course, which was developed and piloted during the year. 6.12.2.4 Capability development The functional area has contributed to workshops, seminars and planning groups dealing with a range of capability development initiatives, including Post Disaster Reconstruction, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Recovery and Blast Engineering.
- 44 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.12.3 Significant activities – response 2007-08 required a high response commitment having more major emergencies and events requiring significant Engineering Services response than the previous five years combined. The major deployments were: • Operation Contego (August 2007) – deployed to the APEC Operations Centre during the event to assist SEOCON with specialist engineering advice. • Equine influenza (September 2007) – assisted DPI with response including establishing temporary facilities for staff and animal quarantine. • Western Sydney hailstorms (December 2007) – engineering advice to the Task Force, including washout investigations, management of response services by contractors and coordination of tarpaulin maintenance. • Lake Cargelligo Water Supply Failure (December 2007) – restoration of the town’s water supply following a break and major loss of the intake pipeline just prior to Christmas. • North Coast floods and storms (January 2008) – damage assessments, make-safe and cleanup including coordination of tarpaulin maintenance and assessment of building damage. • Botany Road wall collapse (March 2008) – stabilisation of building excavation retaining wall adjacent to Botany Road following water main burst and subsequent failure of adjoining road foundations and buildings. Engineering Services also provided assistance to the Police, Fire Brigades and SES for a number of smaller incidents including building fires, explosion, damaged buildings, retaining wall collapses and storm damage.
6.12.4 Significant activities – recovery The functional area was involved in recovery operations following the Hunter Central Coast storms (June 2007), which were continuing throughout the financial year; the Western Sydney Hailstorms (December 2007), and North Coast storms and floods (January 2008), which continued for more than six months. Engineering Services managed the provision of specialist engineering investigations and advice by consultants for the coronial inquiry into the Pacific Highway washaway at Somersby that occurred during the June 2007 Central Coast storm event.
6.12.5 Strategic initiatives and priorities During the financial year, the functional area initiated a communications upgrade with completion of capability development in remote computer access, video conferencing, and established an Engineering GRN network.
6.12.6 Future directions The functional area’s priorities for the coming year include: • Ongoing development of the engineering team in recovery; • Strengthening the involvement of the functional area network; and • Development of memoranda of understanding with key engineering consultant firms.
6.13 Environmental Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: Joe Woodward (Department of Environment and Climate Change) Deputy: Craig Lamberton (Department of Environment and Climate Change)
- 45 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Executive Officer: Greg Thomas (Department of Environment and Climate Change) Members: Organisation Name Department of Climate Change (DECC) - Joe Woodward (Chair) (Craig Lamberton / Greg Thomas) Ambulance Service NSW George Smith Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Nic Moulis Marketers Association Department of Commerce Dave Wilkins / Rick Still Independent Transport, Safety and Reliability Chris Sanders Regulator Ministry of Transport Emad Makram NSW Health Gillian O’Malley National Parks and Wildlife Service (DECC) Kevin Shanahan / Geoff Ross Plastics and Chemical Industries Association Charles Koch Roads and Traffic Authority Phil Halton Sydney Catchment Authority Graham Begg Sydney Water Corporation David Parsons / Bruce Angus WorkCover NSW Serge Morson Department of Water and Energy Ralph Grimes Department of Planning Fred Fattal Department of Primary Industries Graeme Eggleston / Kevin Cooper Local Government Association of NSW and Bob Verhey Shires Association of NSW NSW Fire Brigades Robert McNeil NSW Maritime Authority Shayne Wilde / Robert Lea NSW Police Force Ben Millington NSW Rural Fire Service Graham Douglas RailCorp Christopher Collier State Emergency Management Committee Melanie Howard / Rick Stone Secretariat Sydney Ports Corporation Jim Pullin WSN Environmental Solutions Judy White
Purpose The Environmental Services Functional Area is sponsored by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC). The purpose of the Environmental Services Functional Area is to: 1. Protect the environment during emergency response and recovery operations;
- 46 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 2. Coordinate scientific support for the on scene Controller during operations to combat the pollution of the sea and inland waters within NSW; 3. Advise and coordinate scientific support to the New South Wales Fire Brigades during land-based hazardous materials emergency response operations; 4. Advise the Combat Agency, and other Functional Areas or Organisations involved in the emergency, on environmentally sound and legal practices for the disposal of wastes or contaminated materials resulting from an emergency; 5. Once the material has been rendered safe, direct and coordinate cleanup of hazardous materials which pose a threat to the environment; and 6. Conduct post response operations investigations following incidents or emergencies involving hazardous materials. The Environmental Services Functional Area Committee assists the Functional Area Coordinator in the planning for, and to coordinate the provision of Functional Area support and resources to, emergency response and recovery operations. In particular, the Terms of Reference for the Committee are to: 1. Advise the State Emergency Management Committee on the Environmental Services Functional Area; 2. Prepare and maintain the Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan (ENVIROPLAN) to the State Disaster Plan; 3. Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of Sub-Plans to the State Disaster Plan; and 4. Coordinate the provision of the Environmental Services Functional Area support for emergency operations.
6.13.1 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.13.1.1 Planning The Environmental Services Functional Area participated in the following State-level Emergency Management planning groups: • NSW State Emergency Management Committee; • NSW Chief Executive Officers’ Counter Terrorism Coordinating Group; • NSW Chemical, Biological, Radiological Steering Committee; • NSW Chemical, Biological, Radiological Recovery-Decontamination Working Group; • NSW National Plan Executive Committee; • NSW National Plan Technical Working Group; • NSW Animal Health Emergency Working Group; • NSW Public Health Emergency Management Committee; and In addition, DECC was involved in the security and emergency preparedness for the APEC meeting in Sydney in September. 6.13.1.2 Training and exercises The Environmental Services Functional Area presented at the following courses: • Multi-Agency Incident Team Training (3 courses); • NSW Public Health Emergency Management Course (1 course); • Joint emergency management / hazmat presentation with NSW Fire Brigades to local government representatives; • Police Incident Command Course development (2 sessions); • Police Incident Command Course (2 courses); and • Presentation on CBRN Incident Site Decontamination.
- 47 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 In addition, two Hazmat Incident and Emergency Response courses were run for the DECC’s Operational Division staff. The Functional Area participated in the following exercises in 2007-08: • Oily Carp – Marine oil spill multi-agency exercise including both discussion and equipment demonstration phases; and • Fuel tanker roll-over exercise at BP/Shell Rosemeadow. 6.13.1.3 Capability development DECC continues to develop protocols and staff awareness regarding response and recovery operations associated with avian influenza, marine and land based oil and chemical spills.
6.13.2 Significant activities – response DECC was notified of 189 incidents in 2007-08. DECC staff responded to the incident site to advise the responders on 30 occasions and provided advice over the phone for the remainder.
Indicator: Number of hazardous materials incidents where DECC provided advice/attended
450 400 s t 350 n
e 300 d i
c 250 n i
f 200 o . 150 o
N 100 50 0 2000- 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 Financial year
Total Incident notifications
Incidents where DECC provided on-site advice
Significant incidents and emergencies during 2007-08 include: • Equine Influenza outbreak, from 25 August 2007. The functional area provided: • A range of advice including information on waste management: • Advice and assistance regarding disposal issues at Moonbi showground; and • Ongoing deployment of DECC staff to work in the State Disease Control Head Quarters (SDCHQ - Orange), the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC – Menangle). • Cobar, 1 September 2007: A truck with double trailer caught fire on the Barrier Highway. The prime mover and first trailer burnt with the second trailer left undamaged. The first trailer contained munitions, flammable and corrosive dangerous goods, tyres and other goods. • Prestons, 3 October 2007: 1,600 litres of sodium chlorite solution spilled in a warehouse causing flash fires. • Dorrigo, 24 October 2007: An unknown material was brought to a high school by students and spilled. The school was closed while the area was cleaned up. The material was identified by DECC’s Environmental Forensic and Analytical Science Section.
- 48 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • Arndell Park, 29 October 2007: Fire in main warehouse of a transport company involving 60 tonnes of nitrocellulose. • Mt White, 15 November 2007: The driver of a heavy vehicle carrying dangerous goods failed to display appropriate dangerous goods signage when the truck arrived at the RTA Heavy Vehicle Checking Station on the F3. RTA officers inspecting the vehicle were exposed to a corrosive chemical (sodium hydroxide solution) that had spilled from the load resulting in minor skin burns and eye irritation. • Somersby, 21 November 2007: An unknown substance in Piles Creek near Pacific Highway where the highway had subsided during Newcastle storms (June 2007). The creek was heavily discoloured and had a raised pH. Ecotoxicology analysis determined that the water diluted 1 in 100 with pure water was still toxic to the test species. • Moree, 15 January 2008: A tanker carrying 28,000 litres of diesel and 3,500 litres of petrol caught fire on Newell Highway. • Blacktown, 29 January 2008: Between 20,000 to 30,000 litres of waste oil/grease/ water escaped from an industrial site into Breakfast Creek. • Sommersby, 4 March 2008: Approximately 1,000 litres of canola oil spilled into Piles Creek via stormwater drains during transfer operations at industrial site. • Narrabri, 26 March 2008 Two light planes collided in mid-air whilst spraying crops on neighbouring farms. One plane carried alpha cypermethrin product and the other glyphosate solution. • Campbelltown, 3 May 2008: Two trucks collided and lost milk into a nearby waterway. • Gorokan, 5 May 2008: A semi-trailer carrying sewage and fertiliser liquid overturned losing 5,000 litres of the mix to stormwater drains. • Leichhardt, 8 May 2008: A crane fell from a construction site onto a bus in Leichhardt Bus Depot and came to rest near several high pressure natural gas tanks. 6.13.2.1 Debriefs DECC represented the Environmental Services Functional Area at the following debriefs: • June 2007 flood multi-agency debrief on 31 July 2007; • Pasha Bulker grounding at Nobby’s Beach, Newcastle response debrief on 3 October 2007; and • Mid-term equine influenza debrief on 6 December 2007.
6.13.3 Strategic initiatives and priorities DECC coordinated a multi-agency working group that assessed NSW’s capability to decontaminate a facility following a CBR incident. The report and recommendations were provided to the NSW CBR Steering Committee and CEOs Counter Terrorism Committee. The strategic priorities for the Environmental Services Functional Area include: • Planning and preparedness for response to and recovery from actual and potential animal health, marine oil/chemical spill and CBR emergencies • Continue to meet responsibilities and help to minimise impacts on the environment during emergencies and hazardous materials incidents.
6.14 Health Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: Greg Rochford (NSW Health) Deputy: Ron Manning (NSW Health) Executive Officer: Gillian O’Malley (NSW Health)
- 49 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.14.1 Purpose The Health Services Functional Area is sponsored by the Department of Health. The role of Health Services Functional Area in an emergency management setting is to coordinate and control the mobilisation of all health resources. This includes ambulance, medical, mental and public health and health communication services including: • mobilising health resources to the emergency site or sites and initiating prioritised patient management; • providing coordinated hospital and medical response to emergencies; • providing mental health services to victims, emergency workers, and the communities affected by emergencies; • providing public health services to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies; and • providing a coordinated health communications response for prevention, preparation, emergency response and subsequent recovery impacts. Five major contributing health service components constitute the whole of health response incorporating an all-hazards approach. They are: • Ambulance Services • Medical Services • Mental Health Services • Public Health Services and • Health Communications. NSW Health is also the combat agency for health emergencies within NSW. This particularly applies to human infectious disease emergencies from whatever cause.
6.14.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.14.2.1 Planning Significant planning activities undertaken during the 2007/2008 financial year include: • Enhancement of Area Health Service pandemic influenza plans, coordinated by the Biopreparedness Unit, NSW Health; • a revision of HEALTHPLAN, which was endorsed by the SEMC on 21 December 2007; • performance review of disaster preparedness service agreements for Chief Executives of Area Health Service Chief Executives and preparation of new agreements; • engagement with Department of Health and Ageing on improved disaster preparedness and emergency management within the aged care sector; • preparing a draft Health Disaster Preparedness Strategic Education Framework; • development of a project for Vulnerable Groups – Identification and Mitigation in Natural Disasters; • disaster mental health guidelines prepared, • and • Health service planning for APEC and World Youth Day 6.14.2.2 Training and exercises The functional area conducted the following courses: • Incident Control System course (2 day, 18 x health SESI, CDU, PH) • Health Liaison officer training (2 courses involving 22 participants); and • provided input to the Police Incident Command Course during the year.
- 50 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 EmergoTrain disaster preparedness exercises were conducted at five trauma centres and seven base hospitals across the State. In addition to these important internal exercises, the functional area participated in the following exercises during the year: • Exercise Nexus (Victoria) – observed field deployment, 27 – 29 February 2008 • Exercise Ring O’Rosie mass vaccination clinic Hunter New England 11 March 2008 • Exercise Maccine –deployment of medical stockpile ventilators to St Vincent’s Hospital March 2008 • Exercise Grippe – Sydney Airport pandemic deployment exercise 1 April 2008 • Road Runner series – Sydney CBD evacuation exercises • Exercise Yellow Jack - a multi-agency discussion exercise exploring home isolation and quarantine in an influenza pandemic, 7 December 2007 • Exercise Sustain ’08 - a series of national discussion and functional pandemic influenza exercises under the auspices of the COAG pandemic exercise program.
6.14.3 Significant activities – response NSW Health provided health services at three medical clinics to APEC2007 Leaders Week in Sydney 31 August – 9 September. The total number of treated patients was 44. HEALTHPLAN was on alert for the City to Surf Fun Run on 12 August 2007. Eight medical teams (including five resuscitation teams) provided immediate treatment to 58 patients and a total of 13 ambulance transfers to hospital. The Mental Health Helpline was activated during the year.
6.14.4 Significant activities – recovery The State HSFAC placed HEALTHPLAN on standby during the June 2007 Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney and Illawarra region storms. The NSW Health response was coordinated through the Health Services Disaster Control Centre managed by the Ambulance Service.
6.14.5 Strategic initiatives and priorities During the year, the functional area and NSW Health achieved improved disaster preparedness in the aged care sector and finalisation of Health Disaster Preparedness Strategic Education Framework. Strategic priorities for the coming financial year include completing the Medical Services Supporting Plan, reviewing the Ambulance Supporting Plan and a review of NSW Health Pandemic Action Plan in early 2009.
6.15 Public Information Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator: Inspector Kevin Daley (NSW Police Media Unit)
Members: Organisation Name Ambulance Service of NSW Kathryn Wood John Wilson City of Sydney Alistair Walton Julie Delvecchio Community Relations Commission Warren Duncan Department of Premier and Cabinet Rachel Nibbs
- 51 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Department of Primary Industries Trudy Glasgow Brett Fifield Department of Community Services Wendy Graham Ministry of Transport Greg Nott Chrissy Flanagan Josh Wright NSW Fire Brigades Kate Dennis NSW Health Wayne Geddes NSW Maritime Neil Padget NSW Police Counter Terrorism Command John Stapleton Office for Emergency Services Neil Hargreaves RTA Tracey Arthur Alec Brown Rural Fire Service Rebel Talbert Ben Shepherd State Emergency Service Steve Delaney State Rail Scott McIntyre Matthew Vane Tempest Sydney Airport Karen Harrigan Sydney Ferries Scott Keenan
6.15.1 Purpose The Public Information Functional Area is sponsored by the NSW Police Force. The Public Information Functional Area is responsible for the coordination of public information during an emergency and the development of public information strategies and plans in support of the State DISPLAN. The coordination of public information is in line with the Functional Area Supporting Plan ,which has been developed to reflect the changing needs of public information and the way emergency management organisations broadcast important information to the community in a timely and coordinated manner. PIFAC also provides strategic public information advice to the emergency operations controllers and other functional areas as requested or required.
6.15.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.15.2.1 Planning Significant planning activities undertaken during the 2007-08 financial year included: • developing public information arrangements in support of World Youth Day 2008; • continuing development of the public information strategy to support the Pandemic Influenza Sub-plan; and • contributing to the development of the national Influenza Pandemic Public Communications Guidelines as a member of the COAG Pandemic Communications Sub- Group. National Forum on Emergency Warnings to the community – Brisbane 12 – 13 February 2008. Follow up forum for the development of national principles for the dissemination of emergency warnings to the community. The forum was given a presentation by Mr Art
- 52 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Botterell, USA – Communications in an Emergency. A draft set of principles was submitted to the forum but not endorsed. Influenza Pandemic Working Group. Updated Working Group on Public Information strategy and Australian Government Communications Strategy. Participated in Exercise Sustain 08 influenza pandemic discussion exercises. Contributed to the development of the national Influenza Pandemic Public Communications Guidelines as a member of the COAG Pandemic Communications Sub-Group and ensured arrangements were reflected communications plans. National Emergency Call Centre Working Group. Provided advice for the development of the draft NECC proposal. Counter Terrorism website. secureNSW, a one-stop shop for counter terrorism information for the NSW community, was launched on 11 November 2007. The website provides information ranging from the plans and arrangements that the NSW Government will activate in a terrorist incident, to details on what you personally can do to protect yourself and your family. COAG Pandemic Communications Working Group – 30 April. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet presented the Group with an example of the selected extranet platform (information portal), and also with an initial example of the proposed branding, name and general look-and-feel of the pandemic communications extranet. Members strongly supported the proposed approach and agreed the extranet will be an effective and valuable information-sharing tool for public information officers. 6.15.2.2 Training and exercises Police MIPOC and ICC Courses – Presented on the Public Information and Media Management Arrangements at four courses during the year. The presentation outlines the Public Information Arrangements as described in the SERM ACT. Transport Precincts Workshop – 7 November 2007. Discussion exercise facilitated by the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command focussing on transport related issues. Provided advice regarding • Exercise Oily Carp –. Attended exercise Oily Carp, a marine incident discussion exercise and provided public information coordination support and advice to the SEOCON, Deputy SEOCON and Maritime NSW. • Exercise Flare 2 – 8 April, Bondi Junction. Multi-agency response to a device located on a railway platform. Co-ordinated public information messages and media coverage of the exercise. • Exercise Bright Star 1 and 2. Exercise Bright Star was a World Youth Day themed exercise involving NSW Police Force, WYD Police Security Command, WYDCA, WYD08 Task Force and Australian Government agencies. The exercise was conducted over six phases during May and June 2008 under the auspices of the National Counter Terrorist Committee’s Exercise Program. Public Information management and coordination advice provided. • Exercise EFE – Eastwood M2 Motorway. Coordinated the media and public information arrangements for the emergency management exercise in support of the LEOCON. • Exercise Bernini - 18 June – World Youth Day themed discussion exercise to practice security media issues management processes in the World Youth Day environment, including those outlined in the Public Information Functional Area Supporting Plan and National Security Public Information Guidelines.
6.15.3 Significant activities – response Equine Influenza. PIFAC monitored the equine influenza outbreak and provided support to the SEOC and DPI. PIFAC canvassed members of the Public Information Sub-committee to provide public information support to the DPI Media Section. RFS provided a media officer to DPI.
- 53 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Western Sydney Hailstorm Recovery Committee. Provided public information advice and support to the chair, and the committee. Provided advice for the development of a letter to the resident regarding tarp maintenance. Provided key messages and public information messages to the chair and committee members for use during media interviews. Botany Road Subsidence. Botany Road subsidence. The Public Information Functional Area monitored the issue of the subsidence in Botany Road, Alexandria, providing public information support to the Deputy SEOCON and LEOCON. Coordinated appropriate responses with agencies involved. Northern NSW floods. Attended the Lismore Floods Recovery Committee meeting and provided public information advice and support to the chair and the committee.
6.15.4 Significant activities – recovery Western Sydney Hailstorm Recovery Committee Meetings. Provided Public Information advice and support to the chair and the committee.
6.15.5 Strategic initiatives and priorities • Conduct monthly public tests of the CBD Emergency Warning System (Siren/VMS) • Review the public information capability and resources of the Public Information Functional Area Sub-committee member agencies. • The Public Information Functional Area Sub-Committee is committed to the re-launch of the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS).
6.16 Transport Services Functional Area Functional Area Coordinator/Chair: Mr Greg Nott (Ministry of Transport) Deputy: Mr Glenn Sheedy (Ministry of Transport) Executive Officer: Mr Emad Makram (Ministry of Transport)
Members: Organisation Name Bus and Coach Association Vic Bowden Commercial Vessels Association David Cribb Ministry of Transport Greg Nott Pacific National David Edwards Roads and Traffic Authority Linda Muller RailCorp Ron Creighton Sydney Ferries Corporation Scott Voyzey State Transit Authority Gary Durler Road Transport Association Hugh McMasters NSW Taxi Council Howard Harrison
6.16.1 Purpose The Transport Services Functional Area is sponsored by the Ministry of Transport. The Transport Services Functional Area (TSFA) is responsible for the coordination of the State’s
- 54 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 air, land and sea emergency transport resources that may be needed by a combat agency of other functional area. The purpose of the Committee is to assist in the development and coordination of specific transport arrangements in support of the State DISPLAN.
6.16.2 Significant activities – prevention and preparedness 6.16.2.1 Planning Significant planning activities undertaken during the 2007-08 financial year included: • revising the Transport Services Supporting Plan, which was endorsed by the SEMC in June 2008; • refining emergency transport plans developed in support of the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan; • continued development of transport plans in support of the Newcastle, Parramatta and Wollongong CBD Emergency Sub Plans; • further development of concepts of operations in support of an exotic animal disease outbreak; and • Emergency planning for the Sydney APEC 2007 Leaders Week and World Youth Day. 6.16.2.2 Training and exercises The TSFA actively participated in all relevant SEMC / DEMC sponsored exercises and those conducted under the auspicious of the National Counter Terrorism Committee. These included: • National Catastrophic Disasters Workshop; • Exercise Bright Star II – World Youth Day emergency preparedness; • Exercise Bernini – World Youth Day emergency communications; • Exercise Road Runner IV - Sydney CBD Emergency Plan; • Exercise Grapevine – Incident notification protocols between traffic and transport agencies; • Exercise Tonto – Passenger train derailment in a geographically isolated area; • Exercise Rock My Baby – Lord Howe Island Emergency Management Plan; • Exercise Oily Carp – Maritime oil spill. 6.16.2.3 Capability development The functional area coordinated two key capability enhancements during the year: • improved emergency communications capability within the Ministry of Transport using the Government Radio Network; and • the purchase of emergency electric rail trolleys by RailCorp to enhance the capacity of emergency response to incidents in the underground rail environment.
6.16.3 Significant activities – response The functional area assisted in the planning for, and resolution of, a number of emergency responses including: • Equine influenza outbreak; • Northern rivers floods; and • Emergency water cartage to rural communities.
6.16.4 Significant activities – recovery The functional area participated in the Recovery Committee for the Blacktown hail storms.
- 55 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.16.5 Strategic initiatives The Ministry of Transport implemented an electronic Emergency Management System (EMS), to assist in the coordination of operational information between transport and other agencies.
6.16.6 Future directions The functional area has a number of strategic directions for the coming year: • Continue to participate in national and state forums for the development of counter terrorism and emergency management measures. • Continue preparing and updating State and District transport plans to support the State Disaster Plan. • Strengthening transport precinct security and emergency response arrangements through stakeholder engagement. • Contribute to the development of improved arrangements for the management of major transport incidents in city centres. • Further enhance the electronic emergency management system. • Develop transport geospatial planning and response capabilities.
6.17 Welfare Services Functional Area Committee Functional Area Coordinator/Chair Wendy Graham (Department of Community Services) Deputy: Murray Nott (Department of Community Services) Executive Officer: Teena Windsor (Department of Community Services)
Members: Organisation Name ADRA Chris Olafson Bruce Prince Anglicare Doug Philpot Centrelink Paula Webber Emilijia Todorova Community Relations Commission Peter Reynolds Department of Housing Jill Simpson Department of Education and Training Kristine Bajuk Department of Primary Industries Graeme Eggleston NSW Health Katrina Hasleton Gillian O’Malley Insurance Disaster Recovery Bill Barry Karl Sullivan Office of Fair Trading Shobhna Pandaram Local Government and Shire Association Noel Baum Red Cross Jason Collins Diana Bernardi State Emergency Service Andrew Gissing
- 56 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Office of Emergency Services Melanie Howard Salvation Army Lyall Reese St Vincent de Paul Barry Smith John Gresser Uniting Church Stephen Robinson
6.17.1 Purpose The Welfare Services Functional Area is sponsored by the Department of Community Services. It is responsible for the coordination of welfare services during an emergency. This includes the establishment and management of evacuation and recovery centres and the provision, or coordination of welfare services such as personal support, material aid, emergency accommodation, food and financial assistance to people who have been affected by an emergency. The purpose of the Committee is to assist in the development and coordination of welfare services in support of the State DISPLAN. The Committee also provides strategic advice to the SEMC and NSW Government with regard to ongoing recovery process and strategy following an emergency. 6.17.1.1 Significant activities – planning Two significant planning activities undertaken during the 2007-08 financial year were Welfare Services preparation for APEC in September 2007 and World Youth Day in July 2008. Welfare Services was represented on the Emergency Management Planning Group for both these events and undertook significant preparations in planning, briefing and placing staff and volunteers on high alert to ensure a timely and effective response could be activated if required. Other significant planning activities undertaken during this period include: • SEMC Pandemic Influenza Working Group • SEMC Major Evacuation Centre Working Group and related sub groups: Welfare Services, Governance, Disaster Victim Registration and Logistics. • Reception and Assistance Centres Working Group • Disaster Recovery Subcommittee of CDSMAC The Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator is a member of the Disaster Recovery Subcommittee to the Community and Disability Services Ministerial Advisory Committee. During this reporting period the Subcommittee led the development of the new National Principles for Disaster Recovery, which were endorsed by the Ministerial Council and noted by both the NSW State Emergency Management Committee and the Australian Emergency Management Committee.
6.17.2 Significant activities – Response Welfare Services responded to 27 natural and other emergencies during this reporting period. Significant operations included: Hunter / Central Coast Storms, June 2007. The four recovery centres established in June 2007 continued to operate for several months with the last (Newcastle) closing on 26 October 2007. These centres were attended by over 3,500 people with more than $2 million being provided under the Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance scheme.
- 57 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Lismore Hailstorm, October 2007. Eighty people were assisted after their homes were damaged by a hailstorm with over $340,000 being provided under the Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance scheme. Hailstorm Blacktown, December 2007. As a result of the hailstorm which struck Blacktown and surrounding areas the State Disaster Recovery Centre received over 300 calls for assistance and advice. DoCS coordinated Red Cross and Anglicare in an outreach program to deliver information to over 2,500 homes in the affected area. Over 100 home visits were made to people requiring assistance by DoCS Disaster Recovery Officers. A number of applications for assistance with structural repairs to homes have been processed. DoCS also supported the operations at the Information and Assistance Centre (Blacktown Civic Centre) established by the Hailstorm Taskforce. Flooding Western NSW, December 2007. Approximately 16 requests for assistance were received from residents affected by severe weather in the Lake Cargellico area on 21 and 22 December 2007. Flooding Northern Rivers, January 2008. Heavy rainfall on the North and Mid North Coastal Areas on the weekend beginning the 5 January 2008 resulted in over 300 people being accommodated in five evacuation centres. A further evacuation centre was established in Ballina to assist the residents of Cabbage Tree Island who were evacuated on 7 January 2008. DoCS staff from Glenn Innes assisted SES in supplying essential goods to 700 campers attending the Freakreation music festival at Boonoo Boonoo after flood waters stranded them on 7 January at the camp ground. The State Disaster Recovery Centre received over 460 calls in relation to this event. Over 310 home visits have been conducted by DoCS staff across the affected area resulting in nearly 150 applications for assistance. A Recovery Centre was established in Kyogle on 9 January 08 and closed on 29 February 2008 Shop Fire Grenfell Tyre, January 2008. A fire in a tyre shop required the implementation of a 200 metre exclusion zone within the township of Grenfell on the night of 31 January. This exclusion zone required the evacuation of approximately 60 residents from the surrounding area, with a small number requiring emergency overnight accommodation. Shop Explosion Ultimo, February 2008. On 4 February an explosion and fire in a fast food shop resulted in the evacuation of approximately 1000 residents from the nine-storey residential block above the shop. ADRA accommodated some 80 people in a nearby hotel with St Vincent de Paul providing material aid, the Red Cross provided personal support and the Salvation Army provided catering. A Recovery Centre was established at the Ultimo Community Centre providing information and support to the residents. The Recovery Centre remained operational until late on the evening of 5 January when all residents were allowed home. Drought. The Department of Community Services continued to administrate the Drought Household Assistance Scheme throughout this reporting period. A total of $194,613 was provided to drought-affected families in 2007/2008. A total of $9,482,024 has been provided in assistance since the Scheme began in 2002.
6.17.3 Significant activities – exercises and training Welfare Services participated in the following national and state emergency management exercises: • EMA Catastrophic Disasters Workshop • Pandemic Border Security Airport Exercise Grippe Welfare Services Coordinated a series of discussion exercises with participating community partner and government supporting agencies during May – June 2008. These one day sessions were conducted at six regional centres across the State and focussed on evacuation
- 58 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 centres and the roles and responsibilities of agencies. A total of 180 DoCS staff, volunteers and government agency representatives attended these exercises. Welfare Services and Emergency Management Australia (EMA) jointly presented the EMA Recovery Modules, Managing Evacuation and Recovery Centres in Sydney in October 2007 and in Bathurst in April 2008. Welfare Services presented at the NSW Senior Police Incident and Emergency Training on the four occasions it was held during this reporting period. 6.17.3.1 Strategic priorities (08- 09) Strategic priorities for the Welfare Services Functional Area include: • Review Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan to DISPLAN • Renew Memorandum of Understanding with Participating Community Partner Agencies under the Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan. • Review financial arrangements for NSW Disaster Relief Grants • Develop a strategy for the deployment of staff from other government departments to work as Disaster Recovery Officers in recovery operations.
6.18 NSW CBR Hazmat Working Group Chair: Jim Hamilton, Assistant Director Specialised Operations NSW Fire Brigades
Members: Organisation Name Ambulance Service NSW Jenny Nelson Department of Environment and Climate Change Craig Lamberton Department of Premier and Cabinet Veronica Lee NSW Fire Brigades Rob McNeil Steve Baker NSW Health Paul Armstrong NSW Police Force John Stapleton Paul Taylor State Emergency Management Committee Rick Stone Secretariat
6.18.1 Purpose: In 2000 the State Emergency Management Committee established the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Working Group to maintain the multi-agency CBR capability established for the Sydney Olympics. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America in 2001, the CBR Working Group, while maintaining an all hazards approach, focused on specifically addressing the enhanced capabilities required to address counter-terrorism within the changed security environment. As a result of the changed security environment and the National Counter Terrorism Committee’s focus on CBRN, the Working Group undertook a review of its charter, Terms of Reference and committee membership. It was determined during the review that NSW needed a linkage to the National and State Counter Terrorism CBRN arrangements while
- 59 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 maintaining its existing linkage to the State Emergency Management Committee for Hazardous Materials (Hazmat). The NSW CBRN / Hazmat Steering Committee has a charter for the development, maintenance and review of the CBRN and Hazardous Material multi-agency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities within NSW.
6.18.2 Significant Activities – prevention and preparedness 6.18.2.1 Prevention: Prevention of accidental release of CBR agents is the role of manufacturers, suppliers, transporters and users and is governed by a range of workplace safety and specific hazardous materials regulations. The Steering Committee provides expert advice in preparation of these regulations. Prevention of criminal acts resulting in CBR incidents is the responsibility of the NSW Police and other Counter Terrorism agencies, with the NSW CBR Steering Committee assisting as required. The NSW CBR Steering Committee provided comment on the Report on the Control of Chemicals of a Security Concern. The key area of concern is on the Australian Government governance arrangements and the finalisation of the draft Inter-Governmental Agreement on Australia’s National Arrangements for the management of security risks associated with chemicals. The Committee also provided input into the Australian Dangerous Code 7 to maintain standards in relation to signage of road and rail transport of dangerous goods NSW provided membership on the national working group to develop a National CBRN Security Strategy. The final report was endorsed by the National Counter Terrorism Committee and is currently being implemented by the NCTC CBRN Security Sub- Committee, on which NSW is represented. 6.18.2.2 Planning APEC and WYD. The Working Group was heavily involved in preparations for APEC and World Youth Day, which assisted in the development of a gas detection area monitoring capability and further CBR capabilities. Multi Agency Suspicious Substance Matrix. The Multi Agency “White Powder” matrix was revised during the year. The revised protocol provides clarity of roles and responsibilities of each agency; standardisation of agencies responses matching risk levels; issuing of Medical Advisory Notice and changing reference from “White Powders” to the more appropriate term of “Suspicious Substance”. 6.18.2.3 Training Multi Agency Incident Training. The NSW CBR Steering Committee, in close consultation with the NSW Counter Terrorist Training Steering Committee, developed a Multi Agency Incident Control Training (MAIT) program for senior representatives from Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigades. Six MAIT sessions were delivered during the reporting period. 6.18.2.4 Exercises The NSW CBR Steering Committee has been involved in numerous multi-agency state and national exercises during the reporting period. Development of some specialised CBR capabilities was a direct result of multi-agency exercises including Blue Luminary II and the series of Lavender exercises 1 to 9. Exercise KIPP, a multi agency radiological exercise was held in April 2007. 6.18.2.5 Capability development Building restoration: A gap analysis is being conducted to determine level of capability within NSW to facilitate building restoration in the event of a Hazmat / CBR incident.
- 60 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 6.18.3 Future directions The NSW CBR / Hazmat Steering Committee will continue to focus on multi agency preparedness, training and exercises, as well as reviewing actual incidents to identify lessons learnt that can feedback into processes to increase prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities. In consultation with other emergency service, state and federal agencies, members of the Steering Committee are currently planning for roles in the 2008-2009 National Counter Terrorism Committee (NCTC) New South Wales Drill Style (NSWDS) Exercise Program. Some specific goals are the establishment of a state wide Hazmat / CBR rapid fly-away response capability and the establishment of a multi-agency Hazmat incident analysis group.
6.19 Influenza Pandemic Taskforce Chair Paul Clark (Department of Premier and Cabinet) Co-Chair John Anderson (SEMC Chair) Executive Officer: Ms Alison Francis (from 2 January 2007) Members: Organisation Name Department of Premier and Cabinet Paul Clark State Emergency Management Committee John Anderson Department of Commerce Suzanne Ashby Department of Community Services Wendy Graham Leanne Hillman Myra Craig Department of Disability, Aging and Home Care Janett Milligan Department of Education and Training Marnie O’Brien Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Ralph Grimes Department of Local Government Dennis Amey Ross Woodward Department of Premier and Cabinet Kathryn Freytag Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Graeme Eggleston Kevin Cooper Ambulance Service NSW Mike Willis NSW Fire Brigades Glenn Sheedy NSW Health Denise Robinson Paul Armstrong NSW Housing Alison Morgan Ann Bell NSW Maritime Tony Middleton NSW Police Force David Owens Mark Goodwin Ben Millington Public Information Services Functional Area Kevin Daley
- 61 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name NSW Treasury Kate Laurence-Haynes Phil Blunden Office of Emergency Services Heinz Mueller State Emergency Services Peter Cinque Tourism NSW Carolin Lenehan Kay Watson Transport Services Functional Area Greg Nott Workcover David Bernauer
6.19.1 Purpose In November 2005, the Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism established the NSW Influenza Pandemic Taskforce to develop a ‘whole of Government’ human influenza pandemic plan for NSW. The SEMC at its meeting on 27 September 2007 agreed that the work of the Taskforce was complete. A Pandemic Influenza Working Group was established to undertake ongoing pandemic planning and preparedness and maintain the NSW Human Influenza Pandemic Plan.
6.20 NSW USAR Advisory Committee Chair Warwick Kidd (NSW Fire Brigades) Members: Organisation Name NSW Police Inspector Ian Rotsey NSW Health Dr Gary Tall NSW Ambulance Superintendent George Smith NSW Department of Commerce Alan O’Brien
6.20.1 Purpose The Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the SEMC, which was established to provide advice to the SERMC on USAR, in particular, aspects of the Major Structural Collapse Sub-Plan to the NSW State Disaster Plan. The USARAC also provides the NSW state representative on the National USAR Working Group.
6.20.2 Significant activities The committee has had a change of Chair with Superintendent Warwick Kidd (NSWFB) replacing Superintendent John Denny (NSWFB). 6.20.2.1 Planning The Committee initiated a review of the Major Structural Collapse Sub Plan during the year. One of the committee members (George Smith, Ambulance Service NSW) was invited by the United Nations to become a committee member on its Medical Working Group. Superintendent Smith attended his first meeting in 2008 and reported this back to the committee. The Chair of the Committee is a standing member of the United Nations Disaster Training Working Group. Both committees report through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) within the United Nations and are responsible for the - 62 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 establishment of international standards and guidelines for search and rescue which keeps NSW at the forefront of international best practice for USAR. 6.20.2.2 Training Following the closure of the Holsworthy training facility for USAR capability development, the Fire Brigades is establishing a Rescue and Disaster Education Centre at Ingleburn. The centre will be used as the base for most USAR capability development training for the agencies involved with the Taskforce. 6.20.2.3 Capability development The NSW Committee has had several achievements with the introduction of the Commonwealth USAR Capability development project that placed $1.5m towards developing the NSW USAR capability. This is being used to purchase a stand-alone USAR response medical cache for the NSW Ambulance Service; it will further provide replacement for the USAR cache transport in the Hunter and Illawarra regions. The remainder of the money was used to upgrade existing equipment in the cache that was at or near its end of life cycle.
6.20.3 Future directions The key priority for 2008/09 is the reestablishment of a multi-agency training program for USAR Taskforce members, following the completion of the Fire Brigades Rescue and Disaster Education Centre.
- 63 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
7 District Emergency Management Committee Reports
7.1 Central West District Emergency Management Committee Chair: Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw (Alternate) Superintendent Greg Martin Superintendent Mark Szalajko Superintendent Clint Pheeney District Emergency Management Officer: John Mayfield Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW John Stonestreet NSW Fire Brigades Neil Harris, Tony Grant, Gary Galwey, Greg O’Connor NSW Police Force Greg Martin Mark Szalajko Clint Pheeney Rural Fire Service Gordon Hill State Emergency Service Craig Ronan Bob Evans Volunteer Rescue Association Glenn Hinton Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Greg Markwick Engineering Services Trevor Liu Environmental Services Richard Whyte Health Services Liz Mendes, Geoff Marshall Transport Services Vicki McPherson Welfare Services Dennis Shrimpton Local Government Bathurst Regional Council Brian Dwyer Blayney Shire Council Simon Armitage Cabonne Shire Council Robert Staples Cowra Shire Council Bob Sly Forbes Shire Council Bruce Morris Lachlan Shire Council Barrie Toms Lithgow City Council Andrew Muir
- 64 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Oberon Council Ian Tucker Orange City Council Kel Gardiner Parkes Shire Council Greg Godde Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Martin Holmes Alinta Peter Woods Australian Rail Track Corporation Paul Dodd Country Energy Peter Cady RTA Paul Maloney Telstra Kevin Sadler
7.1.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.1.2 Significant activities – planning 7.1.2.1 District planning activities The Central West District DISPLAN is currently under review The Central West District Snow Plan and Greater Western Area Health Service Area Health Plan were reviewed during the reporting period. 7.1.2.2 Local planning activities. During the reporting period Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow and Orange Local DISPLANs commenced the review process. These plans will be finalised in the 08/09 year. Flood Plans for Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow and Parkes were under review during the reporting period. 7.1.2.3 ERM studies initiated or completed All Councils within the Central West have completed their ERM studies. All Mitigation Strategies have been completed.
7.1.3 Significant activities – training
Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 60 Exercise Management 24 Total 84 A number of scheduled courses during the subject period were cancelled due to lack of nominations.
7.1.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.1.4.1 District level exercises There were no district level exercises during the reporting year. 7.1.4.2 Local level exercises A tabletop top and field exercise were conducted for the Bathurst 1000 V8 races.
- 65 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Airport exercises were held at Bathurst, Orange, Parkes and Cowra to fulfil CASA licensing requirements. A field exercise was conducted at Condobolin Retirement Village to test emergency plans.
7.1.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported There were no District level operations during the reporting period; however, the DEMO supported the DPI with the equine influenza emergency. The DEMO also assisted the RFS with section 44 fires.
7.1.6 Future directions The priority for the 2008/2009 year is the completion of the review of the Central West District DISPLAN.
7.1.7 DEMO activity report The DEMO is a member of the SEMC Training Advisory Group and is the manager of the Evacuation Subject Matter Advisory Group. During the reporting year, the DEMO assisted in the provision of training and assessment support to adjoining Districts, conducted public awareness presentations at Bathurst and Orange, assisted DoCS with training for EM response and presented at the Police Senior Incident and Emergency Management Courses.
7.2 Far West District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw (Alternate) Superintendent Mick Robinson Superintendent Ian Dickson District Emergency Management Officer: Kel Wise Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Max Stonestreet, Kathy Mitchell NSW Fire Brigades Neil Harris, Dave Felton, Gary Galwey NSW Police Brett Smith, Mick Robinson, Ian Dickson. Rural Fire Service Gordon Hill State Emergency Service Graeme Craig, Marc Coulter, Peter Jhonston Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Greg Marwick Communication Services Terry Jackson – SA Energy and Utility Services Water – Chris Millsteed Power – Ross Hunter Gas – Peter Rushby Engineering Services Greg Goodlet, Chris Evans Environmental Services Carmen Dwyer, Denis Harvey Health Services Kaylene Green
- 66 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Transport Services Sharlie Ovrahim Welfare Services Michael Framp, Scott Dennis Local Government Bogan Keith Dawe, Jim Hampstead Bourke Bruce Gray, Lynette Gooch Brewarrina Peter Jennings, Glenda Trask Broken Hill and the Unincorporated Area Paul DeLisio, Sonya Stubing Central Darling Greg Stephens, Graeme Wellings Cobar Matthew Brodbeck, Louise Peebles Wentworth Derek Wiseman, Kathy Mitchell Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Randall Dart Australian Rail and Track Corporation Paul Dodd Mines – Perillya Tony Edwards NSW Western Lands Geoff Woods Pacific National Jim Hanlon Royal Flying Doctor Service Dr Mike Hill Roads and Traffic Authority Andrew McLuckie
7.2.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year, twice in Broken Hill and twice in Cobar.
7.2.2 Significant activities – planning: The Far West District Emergency Management Committee and District Rescue Committee formed and managed the Remote Area Emergency Airstrip Committee during the year. The committee’s role was to identify and examine various outback community airstrips to determine the scope of works needed to bring the facilities to all-weather and night landing capability. The focus of the project was to identify strategic airstrips eligible for a Commonwealth funding program to enhance airstrip capacity. The project was strongly supported by the local government authorities and the Western Lands Commission (for the Unincorporated Area). The survey identified and profiled the selected airstrips with cost estimates for the upgrading works, which included airstrip lighting and vehicle access, and annual airstrip maintenance.
7.2.3 District planning activities: The current DISPLAN was approved in 2006 and will be due for review in 2009. The NSW Department of Water and Energy, Far West Regional Algal Coordinating Committee updated the Algal Contingency Plan in November 2007.
7.2.4 Local planning activities: Local DISPLANs were reviewed or completed in Bourke, Cobar, Bogan and Broken Hill. Emergency risk management studies were completed for Brewarrina, Bogan, Bourke, and Wentworth; and initiated at Cobar and Central Darling Shire.
- 67 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.2.5 Significant activities – Training:
Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 94 Managing an Emergency Operation 21 Managing an Evacuation 36 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 28 LEMO Workshop/Briefing 1 Total 180
7.2.6 Significant activities - Exercises: 7.2.6.1 District level exercise Exercise Tonto. The Far West and Western Slopes District Emergency Management Committees conducted a combined discussion exercise at Ivanhoe. The exercise scenario was based on a passenger train derailment at a level crossing crash. This exercise was conducted to provide the local community members, local emergency service personnel and emergency service agencies with an opportunity to review and test the logistic resources and management structures required for an emergency in a remote area. The exercise debrief report listed 28 recommendations which will be reviewed and managed by the District Emergency Management Committees to ensure that adequate resources and planning are in place for an emergency of this nature. 7.2.6.2 Local level exercises There were four local multi-agency exercises conducted in the district during the year: • Field exercise King Brown conducted at Bourke Airport • Field exercise Copperhead conducted at Cobar Airport • Desktop exercise conducted at Brewarrina Airport • DoCS welfare response / recovery exercise conducted at Broken Hill
7.2.7 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported There were no district level operations during the year. However, support was provided to the equine influenza emergency by the DEMO, who was deployed to the State Disease Control Headquarters.
7.2.8 DEMO activity report: In addition to the planning and training activities above, the District Emergency Management Officer participated in a Government Skills Seminar in Adelaide, facilitated the Central Darling Shire Council Emergency Risk Management Project, and participated in the South West NSW and Victoria Control Room Committee meeting to discuss and review cross border agency call outs and rescue response.
7.2.9 Future directions: The District’s continuing goal is to support inter-agency relationships, highlighting the importance of collaboration and face-to-face meetings, to cater for effective and efficient emergency management practices and procedures in a service delivery challenging environment.
- 68 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 As a result of Exercise Tonto, significant planning associated with a remote area emergency response and recovery will be undertaken in association with a review of the Far West DISPLAN during 2008/2009.
7.3 Georges River District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn (Alternate) (Superintendent Peter McErlain) District Emergency Management Officer: Daniele (Danny) Fraticelli Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn (Superintendent Peter McErlain) Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Mark Beesley NSW Fire Brigades Paul Rugg (Michael Guymer) NSW Police Peter McErlain Rural Fire Service Terry Jackson (Michael Beltran) (Brian Graham) State Emergency Service Gary Jones (Kerith Cameron) Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Kerrie O’Grady (Margaret Norris) Engineering Services Matt O’Grady (Rod Murphy) Health Services Phillip Sheard (Dr Ian Rewell) Transport Services Emad Makram (Noel Barber) Welfare Services Trina Whitton (Lisa Charet) Local Government City of Botany Bay Will Marsh City of Randwick Peter Stone (Terry Papaioannou)
- 69 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name St George Combined LEMC: City of Hurstville Warren Birkinshaw (Michelle Whitehurst) Kogarah Municipal Council Obi Thomas (Peter Karadimas)
Karim Elazar City of Rockdale Council (Wayne Beck) Sutherland Shire Council Des Hewitt (Jeremy Morgan) Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Michael Houston (Anthony Moss) ANSTO Basil Ellis Caltex Refineries (NSW) Pty Ltd Rod Rutledge (Paul Seage) Electricity - Energy Australia Troy Fazakerley Gas - Agility Services Ilo Crkovski (Peter Wood) NSW Police Force (Marine Area Command) Mark Hutchings (Glenn Finniss) Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd Mark Farrar Sydney Ports Corporation Jim Pullin (Shane Hobday) Telecommunications – Telstra Stuart Rapp (Megan Quinn) University of NSW Dennis Cameron (Karl Natschev) Water/Sewerage - Sydney Water Bruce Angus (Garry Solway)
7.3.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year.
7.3.2 Significant activities – planning 7.3.2.1 District planning activities Georges River District DISPLAN, endorsed on 1 September 2000 was due for review in 2005. The review was delayed due to unanticipated staff absence and preparations for World Youth Day 2008. The review is still pending. A review of the Botany Bay Port Hacking Marine Emergency (Sub) Plan, endorsed on 20 June 2002, was initiated in June 2007. The review is still progressing. None of the Functional Area Supporting Plans for the District/Metropolitan Area are current. Any reviews are in draft or have not been presented for endorsement. 7.3.2.2 Local planning activities A review of the Randwick DISPLAN, endorsed on 20 June 2001, was initiated by the LEMC in early 2007. The review is still progressing.
- 70 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The St George (Combined) DISPLAN, last amended in May 2001 is currently under review. The Botany Bay DISPLAN is currently due for review, as is the Sutherland DISPLAN. The Botany Bay, Randwick and St George ERM projects are not due for review until 2010. The Sutherland ERM Project is still in production but has been delayed due to an extended illness of the project’s administrative assistant.
7.3.3 Significant activities – training A total of 151 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 87 Exercise Management 30 Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 1 Managing an Evacuation 33 Total 151
7.3.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.3.4.1 District level exercises A Sydney Airport refuelling facility spillage exercise was held at the Sydney Airport Link Road Facility on 13 July 2007. This field exercise aimed to demonstrate the physical issues associated with a fuel tanker roll-over and then tested evacuation responses for the facility and nominal field-based coordination of, and liaison for of the incident and clearance of the surrounding area, which included significant disruption to aircraft and passenger movements at the airport. A Botany Bay - Port Hacking Marine search and rescue desktop exercise was held at Cape Bank on 20 September 2007. This familiarisation exercise doubled as a marine based search and rescue training day for the newer members of several volunteer marine agencies. The main outcome was a greater appreciation of the range of processes and strategies for such operations. A Botany Bay - Port Hacking Marine Rescue Exercise was held between Molineaux Point, Little Bay and the Bulk Liquids berth on 29 March 2008. This field exercise tested the area’s capabilities in the mass extraction of persons from the water and searches for unaccounted victims. The main outcome was a greater appreciation of the range of equipment requirements, marshalling of resources and coordination to effectively extract 20-30 persons from the water and the time it took to perform these tasks. Sydney Airport conducted nine exercises during the period, with several in preparation for World Youth Day. These exercise ranged in mode from desktop, workshop, familiarisation and orientation styles dealing with a range of issue, such as: identification and containment of influenza affected passengers, aircraft crashes, victim registration and airport recovery scenarios. 7.3.4.2 Local level exercises The District provided no support to local level exercises during the year.
7.3.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported There were no district level operations during the year. However, support was provided to the equine influenza emergency by several councils.
7.3.6 Strategic achievements, initiatives, priorities/activities or issues The District’s priority for the coming year is to finalise the review of District plans.
- 71 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.3.7 DEMO activity report The DEMO provided support to the equine influenza emergency on several occasions for periods of 1-2 weeks at a time. Liaison Officer support was also provided on behalf of the SEOC at Police Operations Centre during APEC in August-September 2007.
7.4 Hunter Central Coast District Emergency Management Committee Chair: Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons (to 31 January 2008) Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer (from 01 February 2008) (Alternate) As designated (Local Area Commander) District Emergency Management Officer: Michael Slowgrove Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons until 31 January 2008 Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer from 01 February 2008 Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Stephen McPherson Alan Dent NSW Fire Brigades James Smith Gregory O’Connor Timothy Fox NSW Police Force Charles Haggett David Swilks Alan Clarke Des Organ John Gralton Geoffery McKechnie Max Mitchell B.McHugh Rural Fire Service Peter McKechnie State Emergency Service Gregory Perry Marnie Hillman Bernard Kates Volunteer Rescue Association Trevor Milgate Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services John Wilson Engineering Services Roger Davison Environmental Services Mark Hartwell Health Services Chris Kewley Linda Winn Louise Barker-Allner Transport Services Andrew Partyka
- 72 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Welfare Services Anne – Maree Gleeson Alison Rowlands Local Government Cessnock Lewis Oldfield Dungog Gregory McDonald Gosford Robin Benson Lake Macquarie Keith Stevenson Maitland Wayne Cone Richard Minter Muswellbrook Chris Gidney Newcastle Dennis Hainsworth Port Stephens Peter Murray Singleton Gary Woodman Upper Hunter Coleen Pinkerton Wyong Grant William Participating organisations and observers ABC Radio Bronween Bashford Alinta Philipp Bourquin Australian Defence Force Martin Holmes Australian Rail Track Corporation Peter Callingham Greg Watson Energy Australia John Donkin Peter Yorke Hunter Port Corporation Ron Sorenson Hunter Valley Mines Rescue Seamus Devlin Hunter Water Corporation Dean Taylor NBN Television Jim Sullivan RailCorp Ron Creighton Roads and Traffic Authority Craig Walker State Water Gregory Hillis Telstra Phil Worthing Westpac Helicopter Rescue Peter Cook
7.4.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the reporting period.
7.4.2 Significant activities – planning 7.4.2.1 District planning activities The Hunter Central Coast District DISPLAN was reviewed and endorsed by the Hunter Central Coast District Emergency Management Committee in August 2007.
- 73 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Other activities included the ongoing contribution to the Recovery process resulting from the June 2007 Storm Disaster. On 11 June 2008 the Newcastle CBD Emergency Arrangements Plan and website was launched by Lord Mayor Councillor John Tate, in conjunction with the Newcastle Local Emergency Management Committee and 1233 ABC Newcastle. The plan is an annex of the Newcastle Local DISPLAN and is an initiative of the Hunter Central Coast District and Newcastle Local Emergency Management Committees. One of the key features of the Newcastle CBD Plan is the ongoing development of community education strategies. The website www.emergencynewcastle.com.au is the central information tool to provide information to the community about preparing for emergencies in the Newcastle CBD. The site contains practical tips and useful contact details to help people who live and work in the city. 7.4.2.2 Local planning activities Local DISPLANs reviews were initiated for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas. Emergency Risk Management studies were completed by the following Local Emergency Management Committees: • Lower Hunter Cluster (Cessnock, Dungog, Maitland and Port Stephens) • Gosford and Wyong • Newcastle and Lake Macquarie • Singleton and Muswellbrook • Upper Hunter Ongoing reviews of outcomes initiated for all completed emergency risk management studies will continue to be one of the planning priorities within the District.
7.4.3 Significant activities – training A total of 147 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 63 Emergency Management Planning 11 Exercise Management 19 Managing an Emergency Operation 10 Managing an Evacuation 14 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 30 Total 147
7.4.4 Significant activities 7.4.4.1 District level exercises During the reporting period, DEMC members participated in a multi District marine incident discussion exercise Oily Carp. 7.4.4.2 Local level exercises During the reporting period the following local exercises were conducted: Exercise Wondabyne (12 April 2008) was the third in a series of exercises held in conjunction with Gosford LEMC and RailCorp, including observers from the Hornsby LEMC. The main aim of this exercise was to examine aspects of emergency response to a rail emergency at Wondabyne including communication and access issues. - 74 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Exercise Centaur was a facilitated desktop exercise held in Scone (Upper Hunter LEMC) on 7 April 2008. The aim of the exercise was to evaluate the emergency response arrangements for a rail crossing level incident involving a train and road transport vehicle resulting in casualties and traffic disruptions. Key issues identified from the exercise were the need to clearly identify site control locations, increased awareness by agencies in regards to specific issues surrounding rail based incidents and potential disruption to key transport routes. Exercise Verona was a facilitated desktop exercise held in Muswellbrook on 12 February 2008. The aim of the exercise was to evaluate the emergency response arrangements for rail level crossing incidents involving a passenger train and mass casualties. Key issues identified was the need for early liaison with rail operators, advantage of establishing site control location(s) and the value of clear communication strategies. Exercise Joint Forces was the second in a series of facilitated exercises held in conjunction with Gosford LEMC and RailCorp and was conducted on 27 September 2007. The aim of the exercise was to examine site command and control issues in response to a rail emergency incident in the Wondabyne rail corridor. A number of key outcomes were identified, including identification of suitable staging area, communication and secondary hazards and access issues.
7.4.5 Strategic issues Strategic priorities and activities for the Hunter Central Coast DEMC during the reporting period included: • Continuing participation with EICU Spatial Information Management System roll out to local EOCs; • Enhancement of strategic partnerships with key industries in the District; • Promotion of emergency management awareness with local Councils and business communities within the District; and • Promotion of the Newcastle CBD Emergency Arrangements Annex and Emergency Newcastle website with the community, local businesses and Council.
7.4.6 DEMO activity report The DEMO has been involved in various committees and activities: • District representative on the Hunter Central Coast Disaster Recovery Committees set up following the June 2007 floods and storms; • Hunter New England Health Service and Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service’s Counter Disaster, Infectious Disease Emergency, and Influenza Pandemic planning committees; • Presenter and facilitator at the Australian Health Emergency Co-ordinator Conference; • Participated in Hunter New England Health Pandemic Influenza Workforce Planning Workshop; • Participated in the Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service Exercise Eric; • Local Airport Emergency Planning committee; • Department of Premier and Cabinet Regional Coordinators Working Groups in the Central Coast and Hunter Valley; • Macquarie Generation Dam Safety Exercise conducted October 2007; and • DEMO representative on SEMC State Training Advisory Group.
- 75 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.5 Illawarra District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Robert May (Alternate) Superintendent Wayne Dedden District Emergency Management Officer: Peter Conelius Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Robert May Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Michael Bray NSW Fire Brigades Greg O’Connor NSW Police Wayne Dedden Rural Fire Service Michael Beltran State Emergency Service Neil Pfister / Peter Higgins Volunteer Rescue Association Wayne Dreghorn Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services John O’Connor Engineering Services Craig Summerhayes Environmental Services William Dove Health Services Michael Hills Transport Services Steve Spires Welfare Services Robert Cox Local Government Kiama Bryan Whittaker Shellharbour Arthur Webster Shoalhaven Bill Paterson Wollongong John Shepherd Participating organisations and observers ABC Radio Peter Riley Agility Peter Wood Australian Defence Force David Threlfo / Bob Kyle Australian Rail Track Corporation Geoff Thrower Dept of Premier and Cabinet Mark Roberts Integral Energy Peter Willis Maritime NSW Craig Whitmore National Parks and Wildlife Dianne Garood / Joanne Edney RaiCorp John Hoyle Roads and Traffic Authority Wayne Wilson Telstra Bryan Sallans
- 76 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.5.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year.
7.5.2 Significant activities – planning 7.5.2.1 District planning activities The review of the District DISPLAN continued during the year. 7.5.2.2 Local planning activities Shoalhaven LEMC completed its emergency risk management study and the Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong LEMCs completed their combined emergency risk management study.
7.5.3 Significant activities – training A total of 91 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 55 Emergency Management Planning 10 Implementing Emergency Risk Management 14 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 12 Total 91
7.5.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.5.4.1 District level exercises District Exercise conducted to identify issues related to major road closures. 7.5.4.2 Local level exercises
7.5.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported There were no district level emergencies during the reporting period, however, the DEMO supported the DPI during the equine influenza emergency.
7.5.6 DEMO activity report The DEMO participated in curriculum reviews during the period, including chairing the WEOC / MEO Subject Matter Action Group and participating in the Operations Working Group. The DEMO assisted Southern Highlands, Monaro, Riverina, Murray. Far West and Western Slopes Districts with training and attended Exercise Oily Carp.
7.5.7 Future directions Priorities for the District in the coming financial year are to finalise a review of District DISPLAN, begin review of District Engineering and Welfare Supporting plans and to complete the Wollongong CBD emergency plan.
- 77 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.6 Mid North Coast District Emergency Management Committee Chair: Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons (to 31 January 2008) Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer (from 01 February 2008) (Alternate) Superintendent Paul Fehon Superintendent Peter Thurtell Superintendent Mark Holahan District Emergency Management Officer: Peter Davidson Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer (Superintendent Paul Fehon) (Superintendent Peter Thurtell) (Superintendent Mark Holahan) Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Peter Pilon (Richard Brown, Terry McDermott) NSW Fire Brigades Phil Treacey Police Marine Area Command Tony Hill Rural Fire Service Peter McKechnie – Region East Bryan Daly – Region North State Emergency Service Tony Kohlmann- Clarence/Nambucca Region Greg Perry – Hunter Region, Peter Floyd – Oxley Region. Volunteer Rescue Association Peter Mostyn Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services John Williams Engineering Services Mick Donohoe (Michael Partridge) Environmental Services Mark Hartwell Health Services Chris Kewley(Linda Winn) Anne O’Donohue (Merise Blackham) Chris Williams, Paul Corben (Public Health) Transport Services Ross Chalmers Welfare Services Alan Rogers Local Government Bellingen Adam Newman Coffs Harbour City Greg Hackfath Gloucester Gil Gendron Great Lakes Andrew Blaze/Kerry Hartley Greater Taree Greg Blaze Kempsey Maria Frazer
- 78 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Lord Howe Island Barrie Rogers Nambucca Bruce Redman Port Macquarie-Hastings Steve Finlay Participating organisations and observers ABC Radio Mid North Coast Cameron Marshall Australian Rail Track Corporation Ian Wickham -North Greg Watson - South Country Energy Garry Woods NSW Maritime James Green (John Rowe) Roads and Traffic Authority Peter King - North Craig Walker - South Surf Life Saving Australia Rod McDonagh Telstra Jim Wray
7.6.1 Number of meetings held: Three meetings were held during the reporting period; in August, December and April.
7.6.2 Significant activities – planning District planning. The Mid North Coast District DISPLAN is not due for review again until 2009. Local planning. The Nambucca Local DISPLAN was reviewed and endorsed during the reporting period. A special Lord Howe Island Annex was developed for the Mid North Coast District DISPLAN as an outcome of District Tabletop Exercise Rock My Baby. This Annex will be distributed with restricted status to emergency management agencies only. Emergency risk management studies. During the year, emergency risk management projects continued in Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie Hastings, Nambucca LEMCs, Lord Howe Island and for the combined Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester local government areas. Lord Howe Island, Nambucca and Bellingen have completed drafts, Kempsey has completed its natural hazards study and the technological study is nearing completion. Coffs Harbour City also has a draft nearing completion. Committee membership. Surf Lifesaving Australia (Mid North Coast) and ABC Radio Mid North Coast have been accepted onto the DEMC with observer status. Emergency operations centres. Great Lakes, Kempsey and Nambucca Councils gained funds for local emergency operations centre resources. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council received funding for a joint SES and local emergency operations centre facility.
7.6.3 Significant activities – training A total of 78 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 58 Managing an Evacuation (Coraki) 2 Exercise Management 10 Work in an EOC and Manage an EOC (combined Coraki) 8
- 79 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Course name Participants Total 78
7.6.4 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported Equine influenza emergency. A number of District and Local agencies and resources participated in various aspects of the equine influenza response at Gloucester and Great Lakes, at the Local Disease Control Centre (Menangle) and State Disease Control Headquarters (Orange).
7.6.5 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported The District conducted a tabletop exercise Rock My Baby on 5 December 2007 This exercise examined support to an aviation emergency on Lord Howe Island. An outcome was the development of a Lord Howe Island Annex to the Mid North Coast District DISPLAN. With the assistance of Commonwealth Government grant funding, the Lord Howe Island airport emergency exercise Gower was conducted on 28 May 2008. The exercise was a significant team-building process and event for the island emergency management community and supporting agencies off-island. During the exercise planning period, the majority of agencies took the opportunity to develop staff skills and to review equipment holdings. The exercise process clearly strengthened emergency management arrangements on the island and the links to District and State committees. The exercise process has also strengthened on-island and off-island communication and information networks. During March 2008, in addition to State level agency representatives, agency representatives from Coffs Harbour City local area and the Mid North Coast Emergency Management District were key participants in the NSW Maritime oil spill Exercise Oily Carp. On 2 April 2008 the North Coast and Hunter New England Area Health conducted a health pandemic workshop for DEMC members focussing on agency business continuity.
7.6.6 Strategic priorities Strategic priorities for the DEMC continue to be supporting LEMCs to complete their emergency risk management studies, reviewing the status of EOCs in the District, and supporting emergency management arrangements on Lord Howe Island.
7.6.7 DEMO activities The DEMO contributed to the equine influenza emergency as a planning officer and SEOC Liaison Officer at DPI State Disease Control Headquarters at Orange and the Local Disease Control Centre at Menangle, and assisted the LEOCON to coordinate support to the DPI vaccination operations at Gloucester and Great Lakes. The DEMO completed transition to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, provided training and assessment support to adjoining Districts of Hunter, Peel and Northern Rivers, and coordinated the Exercise Rock My Baby and the District input to Exercise Gower.
7.7 Monaro District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Robert May District Emergency Management Officer: Ross Holmes Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Robert May Emergency Service Organisations
- 80 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Ambulance Service of NSW Brian White NSW Fire Brigades Wayne Roberts NSW Police Peter Volf Rural Fire Service Ken Hall State Emergency Service Tony Casey Volunteer Rescue Association Peter Pullin Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Wendy Goodburn Engineering Services Ross Bailey Health Services Karen Lenihan Transport Services Alex Codina Welfare Services Rob Cox Local Government Lake George Gary Fogarty (Queanbeyan City and Palerang Shire) Cooma-Monaro Jack Nott Snowy River Brett Smith Bombala Grantley Ingram Bega Valley James Murray Eurobodalla Warren Sharpe Participating organisations and observers Maritime NSW Shayne Wilde Australian Defence Force Stacey Porter TELSTRA Morrie Butler Country Energy Julian Besetri ACT Emergency Services Agency Jan Daks
7.7.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year.
7.7.2 Significant activities – planning 7.7.2.1 District planning activities The District DISPLAN was revised in 2006. A review of the District Engineering Services Supporting Plan was initiated during the year. 7.7.2.2 Local planning activities All Local DISPLANs are current. Emergency risk management studies have been completed by the Snowy River, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley LEMCs and the Lake George LEMC study was initiated during the year.
- 81 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.7.3 Significant activities – training The District conducted two courses during the year.
Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 42 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 46 Total 88
7.7.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.7.4.1 District level exercises Exercise Snowball was held in Cooma on 11 June 2008. This discussion exercise tested the recently completed Snow Sub-plan, in particular control and resource deployment following widespread snow inundation. Key lessons identified included the benefit of early intelligence dissemination and implementation of control. 7.7.4.2 Local level exercises During the reporting period the following local level exercises were conducted: Bega Valley – Functional exercise of local emergency operations centre with the purpose of testing activation and deployment using an ICS consistent operations management system. The exercise highlighted the inherent intuitiveness of such a system and the ease of its deployment. Bega Valley – Field exercise involving an air crash to test the airport emergency plan and further test the local emergency operations centre using an ICS consistent operations management system. The exercise highlighted the inherent intuitiveness of such a system and the ease of its deployment Snowy River – Field exercise conducted involving an incident in the Ski Tube (train facility) with a purpose of testing emergency service activation procedures and improving emergency service personnel familiarity with the facility. Bombala – Discussion exercise conducted with a focus on a fire in a timber processing facility. The exercise endeavoured to raise awareness of possible HAZMAT risks and evacuation issues. Bombala – Discussion exercise conducted involving EOC activation procedures. The exercise highlighted contact and deployment issues. Eurobodalla – Field exercise involving air crash to test airport emergency plan and emergency service response issues. Eurobodalla – Discussion exercise conducted to test aspects of flood planning. Cooma-Monaro – Field exercise involving a transport accident to test emergency service response protocols. A group of medical students from the Australian National University were also involved.
7.7.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported District resources were deployed to support the NSW Police Force conduct a search for missing fisherman on Lake Eucumbene between 29 February and 2 March 2008. District resources were deployed to maintain emergency service response in the Eden area following an outage in triple zero service on 3–4 March 2008.
7.7.6 Strategic issues Over the period of this report, the District continued to develop the strong relationship with the ACT Emergency Services Agency. The DEMO holds an observer position on the ACT
- 82 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Joint Operations Planning Group and the Canberra International Airport Emergency Committee. The Bega Valley LEMC took up the challenge of incorporating an ICS consistent operations management system into their EOC operations. This met with significant success and Bega Valley LEMC has embraced the model on a permanent basis. The Monaro DEMC now has an operations review and exercise calendar as Standing Agenda Items for each meeting.
7.7.7 DEMO activity report During the course of the reporting period, the DEMO attended several meetings of all LEMCs within Monaro Emergency Management District. He also attended a Business Continuity course at the Emergency Management Australia Institute and the Defence and Civil Emergencies Conference at RMC Duntroon in August 2007. During August and September, the DEMO took part in a RFS incident management workshop and exercise. During April, the DEMO represented the District Emergency Operations Controller at the opening of Narooma VRA facility and in May he took part in a Pandemic Business Continuity Planning workshop.
7.7.8 Future directions Key issues for the coming financial year include encouraging and mentoring LEMCs to adopt an ICS consistent operations management system.
7.8 Murray District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Bob May (Alternate) Superintendent Tony Crandell Superintendent Mark Cooper District Emergency Management Officer: Kevin Gabriel Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Bob May Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Bob van Oort (Laurie Evans) NSW Fire Brigades Col Holmes (Gary Galwey) NSW Police Tony Crandell (Mark Cooper) Rural Fire Service George Alexander ( Gary Eason) State Emergency Service Peter Jhonston (Craig MacIntyre) Volunteer Rescue Association John Boyd (Graeme Manning) Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Eryn Knoble (Giles Butler) Communication Services Gary Humphrey (Grant Carroll) Energy and Utility Services Rayden Bender [Electricity] Mel Jackson [NSW for Water] Andrew Evans (Ian White} [Victoria for Water]
- 83 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Engineering Services Fred Spain (Peter Grove) Environmental Services Frank Robinson (Rob Monteith) Health Services Trish Whelan, Richard Scott Transport Services Andrew Proctor, Col Honeyman (Lionel Gillman) Welfare Services Ron Lawler (Paul Garrahy) Local Government Albury City Greg Blackie Balranald Shire Roy Hetherington Berrigan Shire Fred Exton Corowa Shire Bob Parr Conargo Shire John Trist Deniliquin Council David Kerslake Greater Hume Shire Michael Oliver Jerilderie Shire Dennis Gelle Murray Shire Greg Murdoch Tumbarumba Shire Stephen Yam Urana Shire Leigh Ashford Wakool Shire Neil Whelan Wentworth Shire Bill Turner (Transferred to Far West District) Participating organisations and observers ABC Regional Radio Chris Coleman, Gaye Patterson Australian Defence Force Major Ron Harris, Mark Heydon Australian Rail Track Corporation Tim Stevens Corrective Services (Justice Health) Glenda Fisher DECC (NPWS) David Lawrence Maritime NSW Scott Kidd Snowy Hydro Mark Clayton, Jim Stevenson Victoria Dept of Human Services Mark Martin, Kate White Victoria SES (Regional Officers) Gavin Kelly, Peter Patterson VKG4 Rick Mathers
7.8.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year in July, November and March.
7.8.2 Significant activities – planning 7.8.2.1 District planning activities During 2007/2008 the Murray District DISPLAN was reviewed in conjunction with the changes in the State DISPLAN and the restructure of the District with Wentworth Shire
- 84 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 transferring to Far West Emergency Management District. Sub-plans for pandemic influenza and flood were developed or revised during the year and issued as interim plans, subject to DEMC endorsement. 7.8.2.2 Cross-border planning activities A review of the cross-border annex to the District DISPLAN was initiated during the year. The review includes strengthening cross-border recovery arrangements between Victorian and NSW agencies. A South West NSW and Victoria Control Room Committee was established to promote communications interoperability between emergency agencies in both states. 7.8.2.3 Local planning activities All Local DISPLANs are in place and are being reviewed regularly. There is a general need to review the content and structure of local plans following the completion of emergency risk management studies. During 07-08 Balranald, Murray and Deniliquin/Conargo plans were reviewed. All other plans are current or are planned for review in 08/09. All Councils have completed their mitigation strategies. The status of emergency risk management studies is in the following table: LEMC Comments Albury City Adopted by the LEMC Balranald Shire Adopted and implementing treatment options Berrigan Shire Finished and implementing treatment options Conargo/Deniliquin Adopted by the LEMC Corowa Shire In progress Greater Hume Shire In progress Jerilderie Shire Adopted and implementing treatment options Murray Shire Adopted and implementing treatment opti Tumbarumba Shire In progress Urana Shire In progress Wakool Shire Finished and implementing treatment options
7.8.3 Significant activities – training One hundred and twenty eight participants completed emergency management training in the District during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 47 Exercise Management 11 Implementing Emergency Risk Management 7 Managing an Emergency Operation 20 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 43 Total 128 The District also ran a LEMO/LEOCON workshop in conjunction with Riverina District at Deniliquin with 40 participants.
- 85 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.8.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.8.4.1 District level exercises The pandemic influenza exercise (planned in conjunction with Greater Southern Area Health Service) had to be postponed due to staff changes. 7.8.4.2 Local level exercises Most LEMCs ran exercises based on local needs. The exercises were a combination of field exercises (Deniliquin and Albury), discussion exercises and emergency operations centre exercises.
7.8.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported No major operations occurred in the District during the year. Many staff from the agencies in the district were involved with supporting the equine influenza emergency. The largest bushfire was in the Murray Shire, although it was not declared under section 44. Water shortages were a major issue for the district, with meetings chaired by the Department of Premier and Cabinet with input from all agencies looking at water supply shortages. Jerilderie and Tumbarumba township water supplies were critical near the end of summer.
7.8.6 Strategic achievements, initiatives, priorities/activities or issues The two most significant strategic achievements during the year were to establish the South West NSW and Victoria Control Room Committee and to reactivate the Murray Riverina Recovery Human Services Committee.
7.8.7 DEMO activity report The DEMO has been involved with subject matter advisory teams looking at Evacuation Management, Managing an Emergency Operation and the Working in an Emergency Operations Centre courses.
7.8.8 Future directions During the coming financial year, the Murray District has the following objectives: • Continuation of the further development of cross-border links with Victoria, especially in recovery; • To maintain the currency of Local and District Plans; • Completion of emergency risk management studies and the implementation of identified treatment options wherever possible; • To see the continued development and improvement of local emergency operations centres • The implementation of the SIMS project for local emergency operations centres • To continue to monitor the impact of current water shortage issues in the Murray Valley. • To look at issues based on population movements and ageing that are having an impact on the ability to maintain adequate services to the district in an effective manner.
- 86 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.9 Northern Rivers District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons (to 31 January 2008) Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer (from 01 February 2008) (Alternate) Superintendent Michael Kenny Superintendent Bruce Lyons District Emergency Management Officer: Mr Peter Mair
Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Peter Parsons (to 31 January 2008) Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer (from 01 February 2008) Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Virginia McKenna NSW Fire Brigades Gary McKinnon NSW Police Force Bruce Lyons (Richmond LAC) Michael Kenny (Tweed Byron LAC) Darren Spooner (Clarence Sector) NSW Police Force (Marine Area Command) Tony Hill NSW Police Force (Rescue) John Ennever Rural Fire Service Bryan Daly State Emergency Service Scott Hanckel (Richmond Tweed) Dave Mackie (Clarence Nambucca) Volunteer Rescue Association Noel Ball Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services John Williams Engineering Services Robert Siebert Environmental Services Jon Keats Health Services Anne O’Donoghue Transport Services Ben Riley Welfare Services Mary Mackney Local Government Ballina John Truman Byron Angelo Casagrande Clarence Valley Jack Graham Kyogle Frank Winter Lismore Scott Turner Richmond Valley Ken Exley Tweed Doreen Harwood
- 87 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Martin Holmes Australian Rail Track Corporation Ian Wickham Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Peter Campton Department of Premier and Cabinet Julie Byers Emergency Management Queensland Eddie Bennet Gold Coast City Council Russell Reed Gold Coast Disaster Management Group Peter Helinga Maritime NSW Shayne Wilde Roads and Traffic Authority Peter King Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Peter Stynes Surf Life Saving NSW Geoff Horsey Westpac Rescue Helicopter Lynton Beggs
7.9.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year. All Local Emergency Management Committees meet at least twice during the year with most meeting four times and one met six times.
7.9.2 Significant activities – planning 7.9.2.1 District planning activities The Northern Rivers DISPLAN was reviewed and updated during the year, and approved by the Northern Rivers DEMC in October 2007. 7.9.2.2 Local planning activities All seven Local Emergency Management Committees were progressing with their emergency risk management studies. Both Tweed Shire and Byron Shire LEMCs completed their study and are now reviewing their local DISPLANS.
7.9.3 Significant activities – training A total of 160 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 61 Exercise Management 1 Managing an Emergency Operation 21 Managing an Evacuation 16 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 61 Total 160 A workshop for Local Emergency Operations Controllers and Local Emergency Management Officers was conducted in October 2007. This workshop focussed on the roles and responsibilities of LEOCONs, LEMOs and LEMCs; the status of Local emergency operations centres and concluded with a presentation by the Emergency Information Coordination Unit.
- 88 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.9.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.9.4.1 District level exercises A District discussion exercise was held following the February 2008 DEMC meeting and focussed on the activation and familiarisation of the new district emergency operations centre located at the recently completed Lismore Police Station. 7.9.4.2 Local level exercises Ballina, Lismore and Clarence Valley areas conducted their annual airport emergency exercise which forms part of their airport accreditation and registration. Each of these conducted a field exercise this year. Ballina LEMC conducted an exercise based on a school bus crash and this exercise tested the internal plans at Ballina District Hospital. Richmond Valley LEMC conducted a tabletop exercise based on a crash that closed the main traffic bridge in Casino. The exercise examined the impact of such a scenario on service provision to north and south Casino. Kyogle LEMC conducted a tabletop exercise based on a hazmat scenario near Kyogle High School and its resultant evacuation.
7.9.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported Equine influenza. Significant district resources were devoted to managing the equine influenza emergency during the year. Many staff from local Department of Primary Industries where involved at the disease control centres. A vaccination program was undertaken in the north west of Kyogle Shire and this extended into the eastern part of Tenterfield Shire. Hailstorm. A severe hailstorm affected the Lismore area on 9 October 2007 and was followed by a severe wind storm that hit Dunoon, a rural village to the north of Lismore on 26 October 2007. Both events were declared natural disasters. The LEMC meet on the day following each emergency and were regularly briefed by SES. The recovery process was monitored by the LEMC, DEOCON and DEMO but a formal recovery committee was not established. Flash flooding. A flash flood occurred on 4 January 2008 and while the initial impact affected Tweed, Kyogle and Tenterfield Shires, all local government areas in the Northern Rivers Emergency Management District were subsequently declared natural disaster areas because of the resultant flooding downstream. A district level recovery committee was established and continued to meet until March. As well as receiving briefings from the SES as the combat agency during the response phase, the recovery committee was able to liaise with state and federal governments to facilitate the return of affected communities to a normal state. Bushfires. Section 44 bushfires occurred throughout the Northern Rivers District during the 07-08 reporting year. The earliest bushfire occurred in August 2007 and major fires occurred in Clarence Valley, Kyogle and Richmond Valley local government areas. These fires were monitored by the DEMO who attended briefings and Incident Management Team meetings at various Fire Control Centres. Other emergencies. The DEMO also monitored other incidents where multiple agencies were involved and significant coordination of resources was involved. Among these were land searches, particularly one in Kyogle Shire and another in the south western corner of Clarence Valley council area, and the sea and air search for crew from a trawler that sunk off Brunswick Heads in February 2008.
7.9.6 Strategic issues The District emergency operations centre relocated from Goonellabah to the new Lismore Police Station in October 2007.
- 89 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The strategy used by emergency management committees to meet and be briefed by the combat agency controlling the response to severe storms and flooding allows the partner and supporting agencies to be aware of the extent of impact and provides the opportunity to migrate to the recovery phase.
7.9.7 DEMO activity report The DEMO completed the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety(Emergency Management) through EMA and has participated in SEMC workshops involving operations strand training and other professional development workshops. The DEMO continues to attend Local Emergency Management Committee meetings and local exercises, as well as attending cross-border meetings and exercises in south-east Queensland.
7.9.8 Future directions The rollout of the SIMS GIS package by the Emergency Information Coordination Unit remains the highest priority project for the next financial year.
7.10 Peel District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw (Alternate) nominated Local Emergency Operations Controller District Emergency Management Officer: Tony Byrnes Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Tim Collins NSW Fire Brigades Michael Brown NSW Police Clinton Pheeney – Oxley LAC Wayne Starling – Barwon LAC Greg Martin – New England LAC Rural Fire Service Bryan Daly State Emergency Service Steve Martin North West Region Kath Cain Namoi Region Volunteer Rescue Association Col Stewart Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Pam Welsh Engineering Services Jack Domis Environmental Services Angus Adair Health Services Chris Kewley Public Information Services Annette Cross Transport Services Mary Devine Welfare Services Jude Anning
- 90 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Local Government Armidale Dumaresq David Steller Glen Innes Severn Malcolm Donnelly Gunnedah Wayne Kerr Guyra Ben Harris Gwydir David Coulton Inverell Greg Moran Moree Plains David Aber Narrabri Paul Keech Tamworth Regional Michael Bloem Tenterfield Brian Turner Walcha Steve McCoy Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Martin Holmes Australian Rail Track Corporation Ken Thornton Roads and Traffic Authority Peter King State Water Corporation James Titterton Telstra Jim Wray
7.10.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.10.2 Significant activities – planning 7.10.2.1 District planning activities The District DISPLAN is current and due for review no later than 2011. An audit of all district sub and supporting plans was initiated during the year. 7.10.2.2 Local planning activities Emergency risk management studies were completed in Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, and Tamworth Regional LEMC. Studies were initiated by Armidale Dumaresq, Glen Innes Severn, Tenterfield and Walcha. All Councils have completed a mitigation strategy.
7.10.3 Significant activities – training A total of 126 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 51 Emergency Management Planning 6 Exercise Management 15 Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 0
- 91 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Course name Participants Implementing Emergency Risk Management 0 Managing an Emergency Operation 9 Managing an Evacuation 9 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 36 Total 126
7.10.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.10.4.1 District level exercises There were no District level exercises conducted. 7.10.4.2 Local level exercises All LEMCs conducted or participated in at least one field or table top exercise in the report year.
7.10.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported The district provided significant resources to support the DPI during the equine influenza emergency, including establishing a number of control points and supporting the Narrabri and Tamworth lock-down areas. The district also supported a number of section 44 bushfires.
7.10.6 DEMO activity report The DEMO was involved in an SEMC review of emergency risk management.
7.10.7 Future directions The district intends to review all LEMC plan status and EOC capability during the coming year.
7.11 Riverina District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Robert May (Alternate) Superintendent Frank Goodyer District Emergency Management Officer: Owen Plowman Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Robert May Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Eamonn Purcell NSW Fire Brigades Gary Galwey / Col Holmes NSW Police Frank Goodyer Rural Fire Service Rob Davies State Emergency Service Ray Jasper Volunteer Rescue Association Wal Lingen
- 92 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Giles Butler Communication Services Gary Humphries Engineering Services Peter Grove Environmental Services Craig Bretherton Health Services Karen Lenihan Transport Services Andrew Proctor Welfare Services Wayne Flett Local Government Bland Ray Gilmartin Carrathool John Millay Coolamon Tim Morris Griffith David Tull Hay Bill Moore Junee Col McCauley Leeton Jamie Condie Lockhart Ken Hogan Murrumbidgee Russell Boyd Narrandera Paul Gallagher Temora Fabio Giacomin Wagga Wagga John Duffy Observers ABC Radio Chris Coleman Australian Defence Force Cameron Ellis Australian Rail Track Corporation Time Stevens Goldenfields Water County Council Alan Moston Road Traffic Authority Col Honeyman
7.11.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year, in March, July and November.
7.11.2 Significant activities – planning 7.11.2.1 District planning activities The Riverina District DISPLAN was last amended in November 2006 and will be subject to a full review and rewrite in 2010. A public copy of the District DISPLAN has been recently placed on the Emergency NSW website. Current District level sub plans: • Bland Temora Zone Bushfire Operations Plan, Carrathool / Hay Bushfire Operations Plan, MIA Zone Bushfire Operations Plan, Riverina Zone Bushfire Operations Plan - 93 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 • Bethungra Dam Safety Emergency Plan • Murrumbidgee Division Flood Plan • Lachlan Division Flood Plan Current District level sub supporting plans: • Murray/Riverina Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan • Greater Murray Health Services Supporting Plan • South West Transport Services Supporting Plan • Western Region Human Services Functional Area Disaster Recovery Plan • Murray/Riverina Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan 7.11.2.2 Local planning activities The Leeton, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera and Wagga local DISPLANS are currently being reviewed. Other Local DISPLANS within the District are current. Emergency risk management studies have been initiated by all LEMCs in the district, although none have yet been completed. Mitigation strategies were completed by all Councils in the district during the 2006/07 financial year. Committee membership The Riverina DEMC has now established solid links with ABC Riverina Regional Radio with the Region Program Manager now sitting as an observer on the DEMC.
7.11.3 Significant activities – training A total of 184 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 98 Emergency Management Planning 14 Exercise Management 12 Implementing Emergency Risk Management 12 Managing an Evacuation 16 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 32 Total 184 Additional training activities conducted in the district included Emergency Management Arrangements briefings to: • DPI Workshops at Yanco and Wagga Wagga • ABC Riverina Regional Radio staff at Wagga Wagga • NSW Health Public Health Environmental Officers course at Wagga Wagga • Joint Murray Riverina LEMO LEOCON Workshop in February 2008
7.11.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.11.4.1 District level exercises A district discussion exercise, Exercise Justinian, was conducted to provide a district and local focus on the impact and implications of pandemic influenza. Exercise Justinian was designed to increase the awareness of the pandemic influenza hazard across all agencies and to build understanding of the requirements of the role of combat agency for NSW Health staff at Area, District and Local Health Services level. Participants gained an appreciation of the
- 94 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 severity of the hazard. NSW Heath as combat agency, have developed an understanding that their role is broader than managing health resources and have developed an awareness of the wide range of agencies that will be needed to provide support. 7.11.4.2 Local level exercises The following local level exercises were conducted during the year: • Hay emergency operations centre functional exercise • Griffith Airport emergency discussion exercise • Wagga Wagga - Joint ADF (Kapooka) and emergency services field exercise • Wagga Wagga Airport emergency field exercise • Wagga Wagga Airport emergency discussion exercise • Temora Airport emergency discussion exercise
7.11.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported The DEMO assisted the NSW Police Force in a search for a missing person in the Kosciusko National Park during the Christmas New Year period and assisted the DPI during the equine influenza emergency.
7.11.6 DEMO activity report In addition to the courses listed above, the DEMO assisted with training and assessment in the Illawarra, Murray, Southern Highlands and Far West Emergency Management Districts. The DEMO as a member of a subject matter advisory group has taken part in a review of Emergency Operation Centre procedures.
7.11.7 Future directions Three key activities have been identified for the coming financial year: • Supporting the introduction and roll-out of the EICU Strategic Information Management System across the district; • conducting a district level emergency operations centre functional exercise; and • conducting a Murray-Riverina disaster recovery discussion exercise.
7.12 Southern Highlands District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Bob May (Alternate) Superintendent Peter Gillam Superintendent Shane White District Emergency Management Officer: John Connell Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Bob May Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Brian White NSW Fire Brigades Gary Picken NSW Police Peter Gillam / Shane White Rural Fire Service Ken Hall State Emergency Service Tony Casey
- 95 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Volunteer Rescue Association Debra Scanes Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Anne Muir Communication Services Not represented Energy and Utility Services Not represented Engineering Services Mike Gomola Environmental Services Nigel Sargent Health Services Karen Lenihan Transport Services Steve Spires Welfare Services Robert Cox Local Government Boorowa Council Neville Mudford Cootamundra Council Ken Trethewey Goulburn Mulwaree Council Paul Stephenson Harden Council Annabell Miller Tumut Council Chris Adams Upper Lachlan Council Alan Lawrence Weddin Council Bill Twohill Yass Valley Council Kerry McMurray Young Council John Walker Participating organisations and observers ACT Emergency Management Jan Dachs Alinta Peter Wood / Chris Lamb Australian Defence Force Michael Houston Australian Rail Track Corporation Geoff Thrower Country Energy Julian Besestri CROIERG Brian O’Connor Goldenfields Water County Council Alan Moston Eraring Energy Ian Newton Department of Premier and Cabinet Ros Chivers Roads and Traffic Authority Wayne Wilson Snowy Hydro Limited Ken Lister Telstra Grant Carroll Transgrid Garry Smith South West NSW and Northern Victoria Rick Mathers Communications Room Committee
- 96 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.12.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year. Local Emergency Management Committees met regularly, as shown in the following table: LEMC Meetings held Committee members Committee observers Boorowa 5 10 6 Cootamundra 3 9 3 Gundagai 2 8 3 Goulburn Mulwaree 4 8 2 Harden 2 7 2 Tumut 2 12 6 Upper Lachlan 2 7 2 Weddin 3 9 2 Yass Valley 2 9 3 Young 4 10 6
7.12.2 Significant activities – planning 7.12.2.1 District planning activities The District DISPLAN and emergency operations centre operating procedures are current until 2012. All local DISPLANS are currently being reviewed. Emergency risk management studies. No LEMC has completed its emergency risk management study, although all LEMCs other than Goulburn-Mulwaree and Wingecarribee have begun work on their study. Mitigation strategies. All local councils have completed a mitigation strategy.
7.12.3 Significant activities – training A total of 124 people completed emergency management courses in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 34 Managing an Evacuation 17 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 38 LEOCON / LEMO Workshop 35 Total 124
7.12.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported The district level Exercise Southern Lights was held on 30 October 2007 at Yass. This exercise was designed to test the arrangements in the event of an extended and major failure of electricity supply across three local government areas. The key lessons identified were that such an event would require a significant and coordinated response requiring the District Emergency Operations Controller to control the response using the emergency operations centre.
- 97 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 The district level Exercise Pandemonium was held on 4 March 2008 and was designed to test the arrangements in the event of a pandemic influenza emergency. Key lessons included developing a greater understanding among NSW Health staff of what it means to be the combat agency for pandemic; developing a better awareness of the broad range of support that the emergency management arrangements provide to combat agencies; developing an understanding of the Emergency Management Controllers, emergency services and functional areas that will be supporting NSW Health and developing a better understanding of the threat posed by pandemic influenza.
7.12.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported District resources were used to support the NSW Fire Brigades following a silo fire and subsequent evacuations (1200 people for two days) in January 2007 and the DEMO assisted the DPI during the equine influenza emergency.
7.12.6 DEMO activity report In addition to the training activities above, the DEMO conducted eight briefings for local government officials, an induction program for all newly appointed LEOCONs and LEMOs, and assisted in the roll-out of the EICU Spatial Information Management System.
7.13 Sydney East District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Dave Owens (to 30 November 2007) Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn (from 1 December 2007) (Alternate) Superintendent Terence Dalton (to 3 February 2008) Superintendent Mark Hutchings (from 4 February 2008) District Emergency Management Officer: Craig Bowra Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Dominic Morgan NSW Fire Brigades Peter Stathis NSW Police Force Mark Hutchings State Emergency Service Gary Jones Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Philip Gibbs Engineering Services Alan O’Brien Environmental Services Greg Thomas Health Services Michael Hills Phillip Hoyle Transport Services Greg Nott
- 98 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Welfare Services Christine Witherdin Local Government City of Sydney Wayne Mackenzie Leichhardt Peter Gainsford Mosman / North Sydney Colin DeCosta / John Van Hesden Waverley / Woollahra Tony Reed / Greg Stewart Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Don Gilson RailCorp Teena Windsor Sydney Ports Corporation Jim Pullin
7.13.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.13.2 Significant activities – planning 7.13.2.1 District planning activities The review of the Sydney East District DISPLAN continued during the year. Significant planning activities were undertaken in relation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum held in September 2007 and for World Youth Day 2008. 7.13.2.2 Local planning activities The Waverley / Woollahra local DISPLAN is current and due for review in 2010. The City of Sydney Community Risk Register has been adopted by the City of Sydney LEMC and will form the basis of a local DISPLAN review, and DISPLAN reviews were initiated for the Leichhardt and Mosman / North Sydney LEMCs.
7.13.3 Significant activities – training A total of 128 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 53 Exercise Management 16 Implementing Emergency Risk Management 14 Managing an Emergency Operation 10 Managing an Evacuation 19 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 16 Total 128 Training was also conducted relating to the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan.
7.13.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.13.4.1 District level exercises Sydney East DEMC members participated in two significant exercises in the reporting period. Exercise Over the Bridge, a simulated rail breakdown and de-training exercise conducted in
- 99 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 July 2007 and Exercise Oily Carp, a State level exercise relating to oil spill response held in March 2008. 7.13.4.2 Local level exercises Three local level exercises were conducted in the district during the year. The City of Sydney conducted an exercise based on an emergency in the Cross City Tunnel; the Sydney South East and Illawarra Area Health Service conducted an exercise to practice managing a release of a chemical, biological or radioactive agent; and the Office for Emergency Services conducted Exercise Road Runner IV to test aspects of the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan.
7.13.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported Several significant operations were supported by the Sydney East District Emergency Management Committee in the reporting period, including • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum • Equine influenza emergency • Explosion – Mountain St, Ultimo • Fire – Broadway Shopping Centre • Burst Water Main – Botany Rd, Alexandria
7.13.6 DEMO activity report During the reporting period, the DEMO participated in the Energy and Utilities Functional Area Wires-Down Working Group and the Disaster Victim Registration Sub-Group of the Major Evacuation Centres Working Group.
7.13.7 Future directions Priorities for the 2008-2009 year include the promotion of the Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan and incorporating North Sydney into the plan.
7.14 Sydney Mid-West District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli (Alternate) Superintendent Jeff Loy District Emergency Management Officer: Stuart Fisher Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Jeff Gilchrist (Mark Beesley) NSW Fire Brigades Garry McBain NSW Police Force Jeff Loy State Emergency Service Peter Cinque Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Peter Johnson Engineering Services Alan O’Brien
- 100 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Environmental Services Chris Burt Health Services Gaye Hudson (Greg Stewart) Transport Services Greg Nott Richard Langereis Welfare Services Skevi Panayi Local Government Ashfield Council Epeli Naivalu (Stephen Joannidis) Auburn Council George Stamatakos (Paul Donovan) Burwood Council Khaled Azer (Martin Jenner) Canada Bay Council George Nassif Canterbury Council Bob Bullivant Marrickville Council Walter Petschler Strathfield Council Rob Bourke (Michael Messner) Participating organisations and observers Australian Defence Force Martin Holmes Sydney Olympic Park Authority Dominic Langan
7.14.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year.
7.14.2 Significant activities – planning 7.14.2.1 District planning activities The District DISPLAN was reviewed and during the year and was completed in May 2008. As part of its ongoing maintenance, work began on planning and development of designated marshalling and staging areas within the district. Sydney South West Area Health Service reviewed their supporting health plan, which was endorsed by the DEMC during year and a review of the Sydney Western supporting health plan was initiated by NSW Health. A review of the SES local flood plan for Canterbury was initiated during the year and an initiative to identify clubs within the district to gain their support in using their venue as an evacuation shelter was begun. 7.14.2.2 Local planning activities Reviews of the local DISPLANs for Auburn and Canterbury were completed during the year and reviews of the Inner West and Marrickville DISPLAN were initiated. Emergency risk management studies continued in Canterbury, Inner West and Marrickville LEMCs. The DEMO initiated a working party with Sydney Olympic Park Authority, the Local Area Command DEMC to develop pre-incident emergency management plans for the precinct.
- 101 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.14.3 Significant activities – training A total of 109 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 74 Managing an Emergency Operation 35 Total 109
7.14.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.14.4.1 District level exercises There were no district level exercises conducted during the year. 7.14.4.2 Local level exercises Marrickville LEMC conducted a desktop exercise on 17 July 2007.
7.14.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported The DEMO supported the equine influenza emergency by working in the DPI operations centres as SEOC liaison officer and a planning officer for a total of 23 days. There were six local operations requiring DEMO assistance during the year. These included boarding house fires requiring accommodation for displaced residents, large industrial fires requiring evacuation of staff and residents, and lightning strikes on buildings during storms requiring specialist engineering resources.
7.14.6 Strategic achievements, initiatives, priorities/activities or issues During the year, the District completed the implementation of a charter to all LEMCs and completed a review of the District emergency operations centre operating procedures. As part of professional development for committee members, a program of guest speakers at DEMC meetings was initiated during the year.
7.14.7 DEMO activity report In addition to the training described above, the DEMO assisted with emergency management training in the Sydney South West, Sydney Mid West and Sydney East Districts, and delivered Emergency Management Arrangements courses for senior NSW Fire Brigades officers.
7.14.8 Future directions Key activities for the DEMC in the coming financial year include: • Finalisation of the District’s pre-designated marshalling and staging areas; • Assisting the LEMCs complete their ERM studies; • Continuing to work with Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the Local Area Command to introduce, develop and maintain pre-incident emergency management plans for the Olympic Park Precinct; and • Assisting those LEMCs still to complete a review of their local DISPLAN.
- 102 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.15 Sydney North District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford District Emergency Management Officer: Kevin Blackwell Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Tony Gately NSW Fire Brigades Tom Milburn NSW Police Michael Taylor Rural Fire Service Mick Beltran State Emergency Service Marnie Hillman / Bernard Kates Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Glenn Douglas Engineering Services Alan O’Brien Environmental Services Chris McIntosh Health Services Louise Barker-Allner Transport Services Emad Makram Welfare Services Ken Bourke/ Bronwen Young Local Government Manly/Warringah/Pittwater Ted Williams/Ross Picard/Peter Davies Ryde/Hunters Hill Warren Latham/David Innes Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai Peter Powell/Ian Taylor Lane Cove/Willoughby Paul Collings/Martin Terescenko Participating organisations and observers Alinta Gas Peter Woods Australian Defence Force Maj. Michael Houston Energy Australia Alan Burgess Environment and Conservation Chris McIntosh Integral Energy Graeme Browne JEMP NSW Yair Miller Maritime NSW Stephen Black Shell Refining Australia Brian Mathias/ Cliff Bell Sydney Ports Corporation Jim Pullin Sydney Water David Parsons Telstra Garry Hasling
7.15.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met three times during the year.
- 103 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.15.2 Significant activities – planning 7.15.2.1 District planning activities The Sydney North District DISPLAN was reviewed in 2006 and is due for a formal review no later than 2011. 7.15.2.2 Local planning activities DISPLANs for all Local Government areas with the exception of Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai were undertaken in 2006. Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai DISPLAN is to be reviewed in 2008/2009. ERM studies for all Local Government Areas have been conducted by the relevant Local Emergency Management Committee.
7.15.3 Significant activities – training A total of 309 people participated in emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 152 Exercise Management 15 Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 18 Implementing Emergency Risk Management 18 Managing an Emergency Operation 20 Managing an Evacuation 20 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 66 Total 309
7.15.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.15.4.1 District level exercises No District level exercise was conducted during the year. 7.15.4.2 Local level exercises The DEMO supported tabletop exercises for the M2 Motorway, Lane Cove Tunnel, and multi-agency exercises for Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai, Willoughby/Lane Cove, Ryde/Hunters Hill and Manly/Warringah/Pittwater Local Emergency Management Committees
7.15.5 DEMO activity report In addition to the training listed above, the DEMO organised and facilitated a District Workshop for LEOCONs LEMC Chairs and LEMOs; organised and facilitated Liaison Officer Workshops for Shell (Clyde and Gore Bay), and Alinta, and assisted NSW Health with the conduct of training days for nursing homes and private hospitals. The DEMO also facilitated an off-airport desktop crash exercise for RAAF Richmond.
7.15.6 Future directions The DEMC is involved in the pre-acceptance exercising of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link, scheduled for operations in late 2008.
- 104 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.16 Sydney South West District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli (Alternate) Superintendent Stuart Smith District Emergency Management Officer: Graham Tomkinson Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Kan Wheeler NSW Fire Brigades Tom Milburn NSW Police Stuart Smith Rural Fire Service Michael Beltran State Emergency Service Gary Jones Volunteer Rescue Association Gary Raymond Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Anne Oakenful Communication Services Stuart Rapp Engineering Services Matthew O’Grady Environmental Services Chris Burt Health Services Greg Stewart Transport Services Emad Makram Welfare Services Tracey Stokoe Local Government Bankstown City Council Rowan Morrison Camden Council Ian Gannell Campbelltown City Council John Hely Fairfield City Council Debrorah Sandars Liverpool City Council David Tuxford Wingecarribee Shire Council Peter Bowmer Wollondilly Shire Council Charles Dunlop Participating organisations and observers Sydney Metropolitan Airports Mario Bayndrian
7.16.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.16.2 Significant activities – planning 7.16.2.1 District planning activities The District DISPLAN was approved and reissued on 5 August 2005. Since that time the arrangements have been reviewed to maintain currency. A more extensive review is planned
- 105 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 for 2009 following the work produced and the resultant outcomes from the local emergency risk studies. 7.16.2.2 Local planning activities All local DISPLANs were reviewed for currency during the year and each of the local committees was actively involved in progressing the local emergency risk management studies, with most nearing completion. All councils have developed emergency risk mitigation strategies.
7.16.3 Significant activities – training A total of 54 people completed emergency management courses in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 27 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 27 Total 54
7.16.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.16.4.1 District level exercises No district level exercises were conducted during the year. 7.16.4.2 Local level exercises Three local exercises were supported during the year: • Westfield Liverpool shopping centre management, in partnership with emergency services and supporting agencies, conducted an exercise to examine interactions between organisations to develop interoperability that will enhance emergency response to commercial centres. • Bankstown Airport held a tabletop discussion exercise to examine the currency of the response arrangements to emergencies at the airport. • Local emergency management committees conducted local discussion exercises as a routine part of their planning process.
7.16.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported The most significant activity within the district was the equine influenza emergency. A number of specific operational activities were centred in the district, including: • the Department of Primary Industries Local Disease Control Centre was located at Camden; • the Hill Top buffer zone horse identification project was coordinated from the Wingecarribee local emergency operations centre; • the southern buffer zone vaccination program was managed from Mittagong; and • forward command posts were located at Warwick Farm and Bankstown. During this operation the District coordinated considerable local support and the DEMO acted as that Liaison Officer for the State Emergency Operations Centre, managed the horse identification project and for a period managed the Vaccination Centre at Mittagong.
7.16.6 Strategic achievements The District supported the roll-out of the Emergency Information Coordination Unit’s Spatial Information Management System.
- 106 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.16.7 DEMO activity report In addition to the operational and training activities listed above, the DEMO assist with a nursing home emergency planning workshop in conjunction with the Department of Health; participated in a Community Consultation Strategy Development Workshop conducted by the Mayor of Bankstown City Council; participated in the SEMC’s technology working group, the operations systems working group, the planning subject matter advisory group, and the operations subject matter advisory group.
7.16.8 Future directions The District will be working towards the finalisation of all emergency risk management projects, the review if the District DISPLAN, the review of local emergency operations centre standing operating procedures and the greater use of GIS in planning and operational activities.
7.17 Western Slopes District Emergency Management Committee Chair: Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw (Alternate): Superintendent Stan Single District Emergency Management Officer: Stuart Davies Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW John Stonestreet NSW Fire Brigades Neil Harris NSW Police Force Brett Smith Rural Fire Service Gordon Hill State Emergency Service David Monk Volunteer Rescue Association Les Clarke Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Greg Markwick Communication Services Mark Rich (Telstra) Energy and Utility Services Peter Halliwell (Country Energy) Engineering Services Chris Evans Environmental Services Carmen Dwyer Health Services Kaylene Green Transport Services Sharlie Ovrahim Welfare Services Mark Shervashidze Local Government Coonamble Shire Council Murray Russell Dubbo City Council Stewart McLeod Gilgandra Shire Council Myles Humphries Mid Western Regional Council Andrew Drummond Narromine Shire Council Paul Gallagher
- 107 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name Walgett Shire Council Ian Taylor Warren Shire Council Ashley Wielinga Warrumbungle Shire Council Bob Geraghty Wellington Council Anne Jones Participating organisations and observers Alinta Gas Jeffrey Hollis Australian Defence Force Major Martin Holmes Australian Rail and Track Corporation Paul Dodd Australian Red Cross Gail Snelgar Department of Premier and Cabinet Jo-Anne Lawrence Roads and Traffic Authority Paul Maloney Royal Flying Doctor Service Roger Petheram St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) Geoff Kiehne
7.17.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.17.2 Significant activities – planning 7.17.2.1 District planning activities A review of the district DISPLAN continued during the year. This process will address local emergency risk management study outcomes and operational issues associated with diminishing resource bases in the majority of the local areas. 7.17.2.2 Local planning activities All local DISPLANS are in place. A review and rewrite process of all plans will start during the 2008/2009 year to address relevant emergency risk management study outcomes. Seven of the nine LEMCs in the district have completed their emergency risk management studies. Warren and Walgett continued their studies during the year and it is anticipated that both projects will be completed during 2008/2009. All local Councils have finalised their mitigation strategy.
7.17.3 Significant activities – training A total of 102 people completed emergency management courses in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 57 Managing an Emergency Operation 23 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 22 Total 102
- 108 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.17.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported 7.17.4.1 District level exercises: Exercise Tonto. The Far West and Western Slopes District Emergency Management Committees conducted a combined exercise at Ivanhoe on 21 May 2008. The scenario was based on a passenger train derailment at a level crossing crash. The focus of the exercise was emergency response to a remote area. The debrief report listed 28 recommendations which are being managed by the District Emergency Management Committee to ensure that adequate resources and planning are in place for an emergency event of this nature. 7.17.4.2 Local level exercises Exercise Spiral. Spiral was a desktop exercise conducted at Wellington, based on a XPT railway crossing crash. The exercise aims and outcomes were centred on the analysis and information exchange between agencies and exploring the resources and equipment needs at a high speed rail crossing crash.
7.17.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported The district provided resources, including the DEMO, to support the DPI during the equine influenza emergency.
7.17.6 DEMO activity report: The District Emergency Management Officer completed his upgrade to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and attended a range of professional development activities and exercises during the year. He was also a member of a NSW Fire Brigades sponsored working group examining recruitment and retention of emergency service volunteers in rural / remote communities.
7.17.7 Future directions: The main focus of the DEMC for next year will be establishing and equipping the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) at Dubbo. This project is funded by an Australian Government grant (Working Together Program) which is being managed by Dubbo City Council. In addition to the DEOC upgrade, the District intends to complete the rewrite of the District DISPLAN AND convert all local and district emergency plans to an electronic distribution, storage and access.
7.18 Western Sydney District Emergency Management Committee Chair Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford District Emergency Management Officer: Kevin Blackwell/Daniel Kenner Members: Organisation Name Emergency Operations Controller Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford Emergency Service Organisations Ambulance Service of NSW Kenneth Wheeler/Anthony Gately NSW Fire Brigades Andrew McLeod/Tom Milburn
- 109 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Organisation Name NSW Police Force Pat Paroz/Anthony McWhirter Rural Fire Service Mick Beltran State Emergency Service Peter Cinque/Greg Murphy Volunteer Rescue Association John Buchtmann Functional Areas Agriculture and Animal Services Andrew Docking Engineering Services Rodney Murphy Environmental Services Christopher Burt Health Services Elaine Davey Transport Services David Finlay Welfare Services Ms Jane Cleur Local Government Baulkham Hills Ray Fabris Blacktown Joe Buttita Blue Mountains Alan Holley Hawkesbury Chris Daley Holroyd Stan Antczak Parramatta Phil Littlewood Penrith Barry Ryan Participating organisations and observers Alinta Michael Houterman Australian Defence Force Michael Walton Integral Energy Graeme Browne RailCorp Ron Creighton Shell Australia Brian Mathias Telstra Colin Chong
7.18.1 Number of meetings held: The District Emergency Management Committee met four times during the year.
7.18.2 Significant activities – planning 7.18.2.1 District planning activities The Western Sydney District DISPLAN was reviewed in 2006 and forwarded to the SEMC. The next scheduled review is in 2011. 7.18.2.2 Local planning activities The Blacktown DISPLAN was completed and endorsed by the DEMC A review of the Parramatta DISPLAN was initiated during the year. Parramatta CBD Evacuation planning continued during the year. No new ERM studies or Mitigation strategies were completed within the reporting period.
- 110 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.18.3 Significant activities – training A total of 227 people completed emergency management training in the district during the year: Course name Participants Emergency Management Arrangements 94 Exercise Management 14 Managing an Emergency Operation 35 Managing an Evacuation 20 Working in an Emergency Operations Centre 37 LEMO and LEOCON workshop 27 Total 227
7.18.4 Significant activities – exercises conducted or supported The DEMO participated in the State Level exercises Road Runner IV and the Counter Terrorism Working Group Catastrophic Disaster exercise. 7.18.4.1 District level exercises No district level exercises were conducted during this reporting period. 7.18.4.2 Local level exercises A train familiarisation exercise was conducted at Penrith Siding by Railcorp. Planning for several exercises designed to test the functioning of local emergency operations centres that have been improved or established during this reporting period occurred, with further exercises scheduled in the 2008/2009 financial year.
7.18.5 Significant activities – operations conducted or supported A District Recovery Committee was established to coordinate the recovery from the Western Sydney storm which occurred in December 2007. The committee operated from 11 December 2007 to 9 February 2008. The District emergency operations centre was also opened to monitor the response and recovery operations for this storm.
7.18.6 Strategic achievements, initiatives, priorities/activities or issues The District will be involved in planning for World Youth Day in 2008. Strategic priorities for the District include completion of the review of the Parramatta DISPLAN and incorporation of the Parramatta CBD Evacuation Plan.
7.18.7 DEMO activity report The DEMO is involved in the building of government and non-government agencies capability to provide trained liaison officers for emergency operations as well as providing training to all levels of the NSW Police Force in emergency management.
7.18.8 Future directions The DEMC intends to review the status of emergency operations centres within the district through a coordinated exercise program in conjunction with the LEMCs as well as develop the District’s ability to support and manage emergency operations.
- 111 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
Annex A – SEMC members
The SEMC met four times during the reporting period, on 27 September 2007, 6 December 2007, 6 March 2008 and 5 June 2008. Member Role P3 A R U Mr John Anderson Chair 4 4 Mr Robert May SEOCON 1 1 Mr Dave Owens SEOCON 3 3 Mr Mike Willis Ambulance Service of NSW 4 3 1 Mr Greg Mullins NSW Fire Brigades 4 3 1 Mr Dave Owens NSW Police (and D/SEOCON) 1 1 Ms Catherine Burn NSW Police (and D/SEOCON) 3 2 1 Mr Shane Fitzsimmons NSW Rural Fire Service 4 3 1 Mr Philip McNamara NSW State Emergency Service 4 3 1 Mr Ray Gill Volunteer Rescue Association 1 1 Mr Gary Raymond Volunteer Rescue Association 3 3 Mr Doug Hocking Agriculture and Animal Services 3 1 2 Ms Renata Brooks Agriculture and Animal Services 1 1 Mr Tony Gates Communication Services 4 2 2 Mr Ralph Grimes Energy and Utility Services 4 2 2 Mr David Wilkins Engineering Services 4 4 Mr Joe Woodward Environmental Services 4 2 2 Mr Greg Rochford Health Services 4 4 Mr Kevin Daley Public Information Services 4 4 Mr Greg Nott Transport Services 4 3 1 Ms Wendy Graham Welfare Services 4 3 1 Mr Paul Clark Department of Premier and Cabinet 4 3 1 Mr Michael Fleming Department of Local Government 4 4 Mr Phil Blunden Treasury 4 3 1 Dr Derek Mullins Department of Planning 4 2 2 Mr Chris Oxenbould NSW Maritime 3 3 Mr Steve Dunn (Acting) NSW Maritime 1 1
3 P = possible, A = attended, R = apology represented, U = apology unrepresented
- 112 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08
Annex B – Detailed training statistics
Table 1 Summary of district training activity for 2007-08. Courses Training Total District Expended delivered days participants Central West 342 3 3 57 Far West 10,592 13 15 202 Georges River 4,007 7 10 151 Hunter Central 6,546 9 11 147 Coast Illawarra 6,657 6 9 93 Mid North Coast 12,259 3 3 69 Monaro 5,426 4 4 87 Murray 22,258 12 16 132 Northern Rivers 9,923 9 10 159 Peel 3,131 5 5 98 Riverina 9,034 10 11 184 Southern 10,506 6 8 110 Highlands Sydney East 3,879 9 12 149 Sydney Mid 1,781 6 6 109 West Sydney North 9,789 14 18 246 Sydney South 0 2 3 57 Western Slopes 7,536 3 3 58 Western Sydney 770 2 2 36 Totals 124,436 123 149 2144 2006/07 102,151 108 160 1758 2005/06 91,548 104 154 2765
- 113 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Table 2 Summary of professional development, cross district training and EMAI extensions. Activity Budget Expenditure Combined District Courses Manage Emergency Operations and Work in an Emergency Operations Centre (MNC, NR, P districts) Coordinated by NR district $24,259 $21,374 Manage Emergency Operations (IL, M, Mu, R, SH districts) Coordinated by SH district $14,600 $14,075 Professional Development and Training $102,990 $99,643 EMAI Extension courses (NSW contribution) $8,000 $13,332 Totals 149,849 148,425.31
Table 3 Face to face training days for each district 2007-08. Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Central West 1 1 1 Far West 2 2 1 1 1 Georges River 1 1 2 1 2 1 Hunter Central Coast 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Illawara 2 3 1 Mid North Coast 1 1 1 Monara 1 1 2 Murray 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 Northern Rivers 2 1 1 1 4 Peel 1 4 Riverina 3 3 4 Southern Highlands 2 2 1 1 Sydney East 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 Sydney Mid West 1 1 3 1 Sydney North 3 4 3 1 1 2 Sydney South 1 1 Western Slopes 3 Western Sydney 1 1
- 114 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Table 4 Annual comparison of courses delivered (face to face) and participant attendance. Courses Participants 07- 07- Course name 06/07 05/06 04/05 03/04 02/03 06/07 05/06 08 08 EMAI Extensions 4 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A 125 42 N/A
Emergency 1164 Management 51 48 47 28 29 31 1116 868 Arrangements Emergency Management 4 4 11 N/A N/A N/A 84 46 77 Planning Evacuation 9 10 14 8 6 4 156 170 244 Management Exercise 10 4 17 8 3 3 149 71 154 Management Implementing 5 8 N/A 18 23 9 64 81 350 ERM Introduction to ERM (CD – 40 4 N/A N/A 2 16 40 35 122 distance Ed) LEMO/LEOCON 4 2 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A 80 Workshops Manage an Emergency 10 8 11 9 3 5 195 135 193 Operation Working in an 29 21 27 18 17 13 593 302 461 EOC Totals 115 112 132 89 83 81 1982 1771 2765
Table 5 Professional Development for SEMC Staff and DEMOs
NSW Internal and External courses, conferences and workshops 2007-08 Business Administration 1 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment 27 Diploma of Training and Assessment 2 Advanced Diploma of Emergency Management 17 Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management 1 Post Graduate University courses in EM or Risk Mitigation 1 Conference at Orange (November 2007) 37 Professional Development Workshop at Sydney (May 2008) 15 RTO Validation Workshops 0 RTO AQTF Audits / workshops 6
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Annex C – Support provided by the Secretariat
7.18.9 Committees SEMC members or Secretariat staff are members of the following emergency management committees or working groups: 7.18.9.1 National groups: ABS Emergency Management Information Data Project Australian Emergency Management Committee Australian Emergency management Committee Senior Managers Group Catastrophic Disasters Emergency Management Capability Working Group EMA Research and Development Group National Airport Emergency Planning Advisory Committee (this committee, which had ceased to operate in 2006, has been reconstituted) National Community Safety Working Group National Emergency Management Sector Working Group National Plan (Marine Oil Spill) Technical Working Party National Pollution Executive Committee National Rapid Impact Assessment Working Group National Risk Assessment Framework Working Group Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee 7.18.9.2 State groups: ANSTO Local Liaison Working Party Bushfire Mitigation Program Assessment Committee CBD Emergency Planning Group District Emergency Management Committee Meetings GCIO Emergency Management Working Group Major Evacuation Centres Working Group MARDAP Committee NSW Counter Terrorism Exercise Steering Committee NSW National Oil Spill Plan Executive Committee NSW National Plan (Marine Oil Spill Plan) Technical Working Group NSW State Selection Committee – National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund State Algal Advisory Group State Assessment Committee State Mitigation Sub Committee Sydney Airport Emergency Planning Committee Sydney Airport Exercise Planning Committee 7.18.9.3 Special purpose committees: Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Committee Animal Health Emergency Working Group APEC Emergency Management Working Group Aviation Emergency Operations Advisory Committee CIO emergency management information working group Climate Change Working Group - 116 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Climate Change CEO Committee CEO Counter Terrorism Coordinating Group Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Committee Engineering Services Functional Area Committee Environmental Services Functional Area Committee Health Services Functional Area Committee Human Influenza Pandemic Working Group Major Evacuation Centres Working Group Pandemic Influenza Taskforce (this committee was wound up during the year) Public Information Services Functional Area Committee State CBR and Hazmat Steering Committee State Emergency Management Committee State Mitigation Assessment Committee Training Advisory Group Transport Services Functional Area Committee Urban Search and Rescue Sub Committee Welfare Services Functional Area Committee WYD08 emergency management working group 7.18.9.4 Short Term Committees/Working Parties Bush Fire Coordination Meetings Central Sydney Operations Group Duty Operations Inspectors Meetings Emergency Management Australia working groups Exercise steering groups, working parties and writing groups Health Department Advisory Committee Public Inquiry Information Centre Meetings Spatial Information Working Party
7.18.10 Courses SEMC members or Secretariat staff attended or conducted the following courses during the year: EICU training EMA Senior Executive Program EMAI Extension Courses Emergency Management Arrangement Courses Emergency Management for Local Government Course Emergency Planning Course Evacuation Management Courses Exercise Management Course Introduction to Emergency Risk Management Workshops Police Senior Incident and Emergency Management Course and its successor Police Incident Command Course Public Inquiry/Information Centre training for volunteers Response Management Courses Risk Based Land Use Planning Course Working in and Managing an Emergency Operations Centre Courses
- 117 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 7.18.11 Exercises Secretariat staff were involved in the following exercises during the year: Exercise Road Runner IV Exercise Oily Carp Catastrophic disasters workshop
7.18.12 Briefings and visits The State Emergency Operations Centre conducted briefings and inspections for personnel from SEMC agencies and from the following organisations: Emergency Management Australia staff Minister for Emergency Services District Emergency Management Officers and Guests
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Annex D – Emergency Management Districts
There were a number of changes to Emergency Management Districts during the reporting period. The Districts as proclaimed in the NSW Government Gazette No. 36, 2 March 2007, are described below.
Central West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bathurst Regional Council, Blayney Council, Cabonne Council, Cowra Council, Forbes Council, City of Lithgow Council, Lachlan Council, Oberon Council, Orange City Council and Parkes Council. Far West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bogan Council, Bourke Council, Brewarrina Council, Broken Hill City Council, Central Darling Council, Cobar Council, Wentworth Shire and the Unincorporated Area of NSW. Georges River Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the City of Botany Bay, Hurstville City Council, Kogarah Municipal Council, Randwick City Council, Rockdale City Council, Sutherland Council and the waters of Botany Bay and Port Hacking. Hunter-Central Coast Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Cessnock City Council, Dungog Council, Gosford City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council, Muswellbrook Council, Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council, Singleton Council, Upper Hunter Council, Wyong Council and the waters of Brisbane Water, Port Stephens, and Port Hunter. Illawarra Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Municipality of Kiama, Shellharbour City Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong City Council and the waters of Jervis Bay. Mid North Coast Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bellingen Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, Gloucester Council, Greater Taree City Council, Great Lakes Council, Hastings Council, Kempsey Council, Nambucca Council and Lord Howe Island. Monaro Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bega Valley Council, Bombala Council, Cooma-Monaro Council, Eurobodalla Council, Palerang Council, Queanbeyan City Council and Snowy River Council. Murray Emergency Management District comprises the areas of City of Albury Council, Balranald Council, Berrigan Council, Conargo Council, Corowa Council, Deniliquin Council, Greater Hume Council, Jerilderie Council, Murray Council, Tumbarumba Council, Urana Council, and Council of the Shire of Wakool. Northern Rivers Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Ballina Council, Byron Council, Clarence Valley Council, Kyogle Council, Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council and Tweed Council. Peel Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Armidale Dumaresq Council, Glen Innes Severn Council, Gunnedah Council, Guyra Council, Gwydir Council, Inverell Council, Liverpool Plains Council, Moree Plains Council, Narrabri Council, Tamworth Regional Council, Tenterfield Council, Uralla Council and Walcha Council. Riverina Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bland Council, Carrathool Council, Coolamon Council, Griffith City Council, Hay Council, Junee Council, Leeton Council, Lockhart Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Narrandera Council, Temora Council and Wagga Wagga City Council. Southern Highlands Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Boorowa Council, Cootamundra Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Gundagai Council, Harden Council, Tumut Council, Upper Lachlan Council, Weddin Council, Yass Valley Council and Young Council.
- 119 - State Emergency Management Committee Annual Report 2007-08 Sydney East Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the City of Sydney, Leichhardt Municipal Council, Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Municipal Council and the waters of Port Jackson and Parramatta River up to the Parramatta Weir. Sydney Mid West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Auburn Council, Council of the Municipality of Ashfield, Burwood Council, Canterbury City Council, City of Canada Bay Council, Marrickville Council and Strathfield Municipal Council. Sydney North Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Shire of Hornsby, Council of the Municipality of Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai Council, Lane Cove Municipal Council, Manly Council, Pittwater Council, Ryde City Council, Warringah Council, Willoughby City Council, and the waters of Broken Bay, Pittwater, and the Hawkesbury River upstream to Wisemans Vehicle Ferry. Sydney South West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bankstown City Council, Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council, Fairfield City Council, Liverpool City Council, Wingecarribee Council and Wollondilly Council. Western Slopes Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Coonamble Council, Dubbo City Council, Gilgandra Council, Mid Western Regional Council, Narromine Council, Walgett Council, Warren Council, Warrumbungle Council and Wellington Council. Western Sydney Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Shire of Baulkham Hills, Blacktown City Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Holroyd City Council, Parramatta City Council and Penrith City Council.
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