New. Soalh 'ld~ StaieC~M~~
ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 'J{fw Sou:tfi WaLes €BY State P,mergency Management Committee
All Correspondence to: The Secretary, PO Box A792, Sydney South NSW 1235 Telephone: (02) 9264 7277 Email: [email protected] Facsimile: (02) 9267 5853 Home Page: http//www.oes.nsw.gov.au
The Ron. R. Debus, JvlP Attorney General Minister for the Environment Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts Level25 59-61 Goulbum Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Dear Minister
In accordance with the provisions of Section 17 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989, as amended, I submit the Annual Report of the New South Wales State Emergency Management Committee for the year ended 30 June, 2002 for tabling before both Houses of Parliament.
Yours sincerely
1rperson tate Emergency Management Committee 2 4 DEC 2002 CONTENTS PAGE
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...... 2
CHARTER ...... 2
FUNCTIONS ...... 3
OBJECTIVES ...... 3
MEMBERSHIP ...... 4-5
ACCESS ...... 6
OVERVIEW ...... ?
PLANNING OBJECTIVE 1...... 8-12
CONTROL CO-ORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, OBJECTIVE 2 ...... :...... 13-14
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING, OBJECTIVE 3 ...... 15-17
PUBLIC AWARENESS, OBJECTIVE 4...... 18-19
CIVIL DEFENCE, OBJECTIVE 5 ...... 20
PUBLICATIONS ...... 21
THE STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE ...... 22
SUPPORT PROVIDED ...... 23-27
MEMBERS ATTENDANCE ...... 28
SUB-COMMITTEES ...... 29-50
Annex A, CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS ...... 51-58
Annex B, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ...... 59-60
Annex C, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING POLICY ...... 61-67
Annex D, CODE OF PRACTICE- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING ...... 68-70
Annual Report2001 12002 INTRODUCTION
This Report has been compiled pursuant to Section 17 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended) ·and in accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 (as amended). It details the Charter, Functions, Objectives, Structure and Operations of the State Emergency Management Committee.
The following administrative information is not included in this Report as the State Emergency Management Committee was administratively supported by the NSW Rural Fire Service during the year in question and that information is included in that Agency's Annual Report:
o Human Resource Management o Internal Audit o Consultants o Code of Conduct and Ethics o Financial Activities
CHARTER
The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) is established pursuant to section 1~ (1) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 [as amended].
The SEMC presently comprises the Chairperson, the State Emergency Operations Controlle1 and eighteen (18) representatives of relevant government and non-government agencies, a~ determined by the Minister.
The SEMC met on four occasions during the year. Details of Members attendance are set ow at Annex A
The following Functional Area Sub-Committees co-ordinate the provision of functional are< support for emergency operations pursuant to section 16 of the Act.
o Agriculture and Animal Services o Communication Services o Engineering Services o Environmental Services o Health Services o Public Information Services o Transport Services o Welfare Services
Section 10 (3) of the Act provides that the SEMC, in the exercise of its functions, is subject t< the control and direction of the Minister for Emergency Services.
Annual Report 200112002 2 FUNCTIONS tesc'Ue "The SEMC, at State level, is required to: ctutory re and 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 State the allocation and co-ordination of the use of those resources; a! Fire d. establish and review systems for use in the control and co-ordination of emergency "ulnual 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; 1. produce specific hazard management guidelines; J. arrange emergency management training for individuals, including individuals employed in emergency services organisations and functional areas; :ion 14 k. produce and disseminate educational material on established emergency management policies and procedures; I. arrange the conduct of training exercises to periodically test emergency ntroller management plans; m. advise the Minister on the declaration of states of emergencies; ~ies, as n. advise on the efficient use oflocal government resources in relation to Displan; o. assist in the selection and training of district and Local Government personnel for set out appointment to relevant organisations under Part 2 of the 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 1al area Dis plan; r. assist the Minister, as required, in the preparation and review ofDisplan; and s. arrange for graduated warnings of emergencies to the public."
OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of the SEMC are to:
a. formulate and promulgate plans for the provision of significant, controlled and co-ordinated response to emergencies by all agencies at all levels; bject to b. establish and maintain control, co-ordination and communications systems and networks within and between emergency services and functional areas at all levels; c. formulate, review and promulgate emergency management training policies; d. develop and implement Public Awareness Programs; and e. formulate and promulgate plans for Civil Defence.
2 Annual Report2001 /2002 3 MEMBERSHIP 2000/2001
CHAIRPERSON: Major General B. W Howard, AO, MC. ESM. (RL),MAIES
STATE EMERGENCY Deputy Commissioner Field Operations OPERATIONS CONTROLLER: J. Jarratt, APM [to J4 October 200Jj
Deputy Commissioner K.E. Moroney, APM [from J5 October 200J}
EMERGENCY SERVICES ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTATIVES
NSW Police Service: Commander R. Adams, APM, RFD Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller
NSW Fire Brigades: Assistant Commissioner K. Thompson AFSM
Ambulance Service of NSW: MrS. Whinfield, MBA
NSW Rural Fire Service: Commissioner P.C. Koperberg, AM. AFSM. BEM
NSW State Emergency Service: Dr. C. Keys, MA PhD [to 3 Oct OJ}
Brigadier P. McNamara, CSC ESc, GrAIM. GrAICD /from 4 Oct OJ}
Volunteer Rescue Association Mr. R.G. Gill, ESM ofNSW:
FUNCTIONAL AREA CO-ORDINATORS
Agricultural and Animal Services: Mr. G. File, HDA.(Hons), B.RurSc.(Hons), MRurSc, JP
Communication Services: Mr A Gates B.Sc
Engineering Services: Mr.MN Cush
Environmental Services: Mr. J Woodward
Health Services: Dr. M Flynn, MB,BS, Dobs, RCOG, Dven, FRACGP, FAFOM
Public Information Services: Ms E. Blieschke, MBA
Annual Report 2001 (2002 4 Transport Services: Mr. C. Holmes
Welfare Services: Mr. P. Olney ESM,
MEMBERS:
. 200J} Premiers Department: Mr. W.J. Parsons
PM Department of Local Government Mr. T. J. Rogers, B.Ec. MAd. [to 8 Nov OJ} . 2001} Vacant [from 9Nov OJ}
Treasury: Mr. P. Bickerstaff
Planning NSW: Dr. D. Mullins, Dip.App.Chem. Th.M, Th.D.
!FSM
SECRETARY: Mr. R. Brown, B.Bus, AFAIM, FAlES
'SM, Members details are set out at Annex A.
)ct OJ} rrAIM, ct OJ}
1S),
4 Annual Report200!12002 5 ACCESS
The Secretary and staff of State Emergency Management Committee and the staff of the State Rescue Board are located at:
Level12 Telephone: (02) 9264 7277 307 Pitt Street Facsimile: SEMC (02) 9267 5853 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Email: [email protected] Homepage: www.semc.nsw.gov.au
POBoxA792 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235
Office Hours 8.30am- 5:00pm
The State Emergency Operations Centre is located at:
Level4 Telephone: (02) 9265 4361 Sydney Police Centre Facsimile: (02) 9265 4375 151-241 Goulburn Street Email: [email protected] SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
Annual Report 200112002 6 OVERVIEW
This year the State Emergency Management Committee whilst continuing to implement the .te emergency risk management process across the State, faced a number of new challenges:
c Participation in the Council of Australian Government's Review into the Natural Disaster Relief and Mitigation.
Participation in the Council of Australian Government's Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force.
Undertaking a consultancy on the transportation and disposal of animal products and fomites associated with an animal disease emergency.
Addressing the emergency management issues resulting from the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.
c The December/January bush fires.
The SEMC met formally on four occasions, but was convened on thirteen occasions in its operational support role to the State Emergency Operations Controller during the bush fire emergency in December and January.
A number of changes to the SEMC occurred during the year;
c Major General B Howard, following his retirement from the positiOn of Director General State Emergency Service, was appointed Chairman, on a part time basis.
Deputy Commissioner K E Moroney replaced Deputy Commissioner J Jarratt as the State Emergency Operations Controller.
Assistant Commissioner K Thompson replaced Commissioner I McDougall as the NSW Fire Brigades representative.
Brigadier P McNamara assumed the position of State Emergency Service representative on taking up the position of Director GeneraL
c Ms E Blieschke membership ceased on leaving the Police Service.
Mr Tim Rodgers resigned as the Department of Local Government representative on assuming his new position in Resource NSW.
Annual Report 2001!2002 6 7 --
PLANNING
To formulate and promulgate plans for the provision of OBJECTIVE 1 significant and co-ordinated response to emergencies by all agencies at all levels.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
Three main concepts underpin emergency management in NSW:
All hazards approach: NSW has established a single set of management arrangements which will be applied to emergencies resulting from the full range of hazard impacts on communities, even though specific counter -measures will vary with different hazards.
Comprehensive approach: NSW embraces a continuum of:
• 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.
All agency approach: All agencies must be involved, including state and local governments and non-government organisations which play a vital role in emergency management.
Effective application of these concepts provides the outcome of a prepared community, which is the primary focus of prevention, preparation, response and recovery arrangements. The basic requirements are:
• an alert, informed and active community; • an active and involved local government; and • agreed and coordinated emergency management arrangements
EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT
In implementing the concepts of emergency management, the SEMC utilises the emergency risk management process. This provides a logical and systematic approach that integrates emergency management and agency specific public safety programs within a community. An Implementation Guide was developed and provided to assist Emergency Management < Committees in developing and reviewing emergency management arrangements for their community.
Annual Reporl2001!2002 8 The State Displan was amended to provide direction to District and Local Emergency Management Committees.
STATE LEVEL PLANS:
• Plans reviewed and/or developed during the year: • NSW State Disaster Plan (Displan) • State Animal Health Emergency Sub Plan • State Agriculture and ArUma! Services Supporting Plan • State Major Structure Collapse Sub Plan gement • State Bush Fire Sub Plan mge of • State Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Sub Plan ry with • NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Contingency Plan
• Plans being developed: • State Communication Services Functional Area Supporting Plan
:rity of • Plans under review: • Health Services Functional Area Supporting Plan ith the • NSW Aviation Emergency Sub-Plan • Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan 1es on • Disaster Recovery Human Services Functional Area Supporting Plan
:ted by STATE PLANS AVAILABLE: Ltion of Supporting Plans: td local State Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan. ergency State Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Health Services Functional Area Supporting Plan nunity, State Public Information Services Functional Area Supporting Plan ;ements. State Transport Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan
Sub Plans:
NSW Animal Health Emergency Sub-Plan NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan NSW Aviation Emergency Sub-Plan State Bush Fire Sub-Plan · State Flood Sub-Plan tergency NSW Major Structure Collapse Sub-Plan ttegrates NSW Hazardous Materials Emergency Sub Plan Nepean!Hawkesbury Flood Emergency Sub Plan rity. An State Storm Sub-Plan agement 'or their
8 Annual Report 2001!2002 9 DISTRICT LEVEL PLANS
All District Emergency Management Committees have prepared District Disaster Plans. The Emergency Management Districts are set out in Annex B.
LOCAL LEVEL PLANS
All Local Emergency Management Committees including Unincorporated Area and Lord Howe Island have prepared Local Displans which have all been approved by District Emergency Management Committees.
AVIATION
The National Family Assistance Code - A Code for the Preparation of Airline Family Assistance Plans was developed by Department of Transport and Regional Services (Do TARS) in conjunction with airlines and the States and Territories.
The Code established the minium standards for airlines rendering assistance to victims, and the family of victims, in the event of a major airline accident. The code is for airlines operating to, from and within Australia.
The SEMC provided input to the Code to ensure integration with the NSW arrangements.
EMERGENCY ANIMAL DISEASE
As a result of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the United Kingdom and Newcastle Disease in NSW in 2000, the Commonwealth Government, individual State Governments and animal industry groups assessed the preparedness for an emergency animal disease outbreak in Australia.
As part of the review Animal Health Australia (AHA) commissioned a review of the methods of transport and disposal of animals and other materials that may have to be disposed of in the event of an emergency disease outbreak. In conjunction with NSW Agriculture SEMC was awarded the contract to:
1. Review State and Territory legislation on disposal of animals, animal products and fomites applicable in emergency management, particularly the classification of these types ofwastes.
2. Review current animal disposal options and investigate new disposal technologies, including engineering design, that are or could become available, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of each technology, including their practicality and their costs of implementation and use.
3. Identify any further research that needs to be undertaken to fully evaluate these technologies and make recommendations for trials and the likely costs for such trails. '
Annual Report 200112002 10 4. Construct a decision-making framework that embraces and incorporates both environmental and biosecurity concerns, but remains user-friendly and scientifically lS. The accurate to enable on-location determination of the method of carcass disposal in the different geophysical and climate types of Australia.
The sub~committee under the leadership of NSW Agriculture comprised representatives from;
.d Lord Environment Protection Authority District Transport NSW Department ofPublic Works and Services Department ofLocal Government Department ofHealth Department of Community Services SEMC staff Family Services The sub-committee's report was submitted to AHA in March 2002.
In addition the SEMC: ms, and airlines • revised the Animal Health Emergency Sub Plan • revised the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan • recommended the amendment of the State Emergency and Rescue Management 1tS. Act to provide for the compulsory decontamination of persons and equipment. • participated in the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) FMD Taskforce .
COAG REVIEW OF NATURAL DISASTER RELffiF AND MITIGATION om and ARRANGEMENTS :tl State {animal Both NSW and Qld have been advocating a review of the Commonwealths Natural Disaster Arrangements for several years. This need was based on the gaps in availability of insurance and its affordability, the regular public criticism of disaster arrangements and the restraints nethods inequities within the arrangements. ed of in : SEMC NSW was asked to participate in the High Level Group of the Review. The Chairman of the SEMC and a representative from Treasury attended the HLG meetings.
1cts and A consultation process was engaged in with the various NSW agencies involved in Disaster Jf these Relief and Recovery. A number of recommendations were determined from this process which have been incorporated into the Recommendations paper to be presented to COAG for further consideration. tologies, 1tify the eir costs COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EVACUATION DURING BUSH FIRES
The Australasian Fire Authorities . Council (AF AC) developed a position paper on te these Community Safety and Evacuation during bush fires. It has been developed to provide ·ails. guidance on bush fire safety and evacuation decision making by fire agencies and for the use of other associated emergency management organisations.
10 Annual Report 200112002 11 The paper was tabled at the Australasian Police Ministers Council meeting for consideration and referred to the appropriate jurisdictional emergency services coordinating body for implementation.
The SEMC has endorsed this paper with the view to' incorporating the paper into the training of the relevant Agencies.
TELSTRA REGIONAL ADVISORY GROUP (TRAG)
The Telstra Regional Advisory Group was established by Telstra Country Wide as an advisory body to act as a conduit between Telstra and representative rural and regional organisations.
The aim of TRAG is to provide a forum to assist Telstra to meet the Universal Service obligations in regional and remote NSW. This will include increasing the coordination and collaboration between Telstra and key organisations and addressing the current and future communication needs of communities in regional and remote NSW.
The SEMC has a representative on this group to facilitate these aims.
Annual Report 2001/2002 12 ·ation CONTROL, CO-ORDINATION AND y for COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS nntng OBJECTIVE 2 To establish control, co-ordination and communications systems and networks within and between emergency services and functional areas at allle-a,els.
:ts an ;ional DISTRICT AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES
Eighteen (18) District Emergency Management Committees (DEMC's) met regularly. One "rv1ce hundred and forty nine (149) Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC's) cover nand the one hundred and seventy-five (175) Local Government Areas and the remcte future communities in the unincorporated area of the State and Lord Howe Island. A number of Local Government Areas are combined for emergency planning purposes and there are eighteen (18) combined local committees involving forty-eight (48) Local Government Areas. All committees met regularly.
ROLES AND RESPONSffiiLITIES
The roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Services Organisations and Functional Areas as well as the coordination arrangements are outlined in the New South Wales State Disaster Plan (Displan).
COMMONWEALTH SUPPORT
The State Emergency Operations Con,troller through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) is the single point of contact in the State for requesting Commonwealth assistance.
Liaison is maintained with the National Emergency Management Coordination Centre (NEMCC). It is kept informed of emergencies in NSW as they occur.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRES
State Level
The SEOC is located at the Sydney Police Centre, Goulbum Street, Surry Hills and IS maintained at information level at all times.
12 Annual Report 200 I 12002 13 Functional level
The Functional Areas Co-ordination Centres are:-
Service Location of Centre Agriculture OrangeNSW Engineering Surry Hills NSW Environmental Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW Health RozelleNSW Public Information Police HQ, Sydney NSW Transport Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW Welfare Kamballa, Parramatta NSW
District level
All Districts have established a District Emergency Operations Centre.
Standing Operating Procedures have been developed for all District Emergency Operations Centres.
A number of District level exercises were held during the year to test the operation of the District Emergency Operations Centres.
Local level
All Local Emergency Management Committees have identified appropriate Local Emergency Operations Centres and met on a regular basis during the year.
Annual Report 2001/2002 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING
OBJECTIVE3 To formulate and promulgate emergency management training policies and coordinate training at State level
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING ADVISORY GROUP
The Training Advisory Group consists of two representatives from the emergency services organisations, two representatives from the functional areas, and two District Emergency Management Officers. The State Training Coordinator, SEMC Secretariat, chairs the Group.
The terms of reference of the Group are:
• To conduct training needs analysis for multi-agency emergency management training, and advise the SEMC on training needs. ~rations • To advise on the development of competency based curricula to meet training needs, and its implementation. , of the • To advise on assessment requirements and processes .
• To review all course modules each twelve months to ensure that accuracy and relevance of content are maintained, and that changes in relevant legislation, emergency ergency management structure, and industry work practices are included.
The Training Advisory Group met on six occasions during the year. In addition, members participated in a two-day working group to further the restructure of emergency management training to align it with national emergency management competencies.
TRAINING POLICY
The SEMC Emergency Management Training Policy, supported by its Code of Practice - Emergency Management Training, is included in the Report at Annex C and Annex D.
Training needs and priorities for the year 2002 I 2003 have been determined. They centre around two key areas:
• Completing the restructure of emergency management training to achieve alignment with the emergency management competencies from the National Public Safety Training Package.
• Delivering training courses in Emergency Risk Management .
14 Annual Report 200112002 15 SEMC- REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION
The SEMC has accreditation covering the following units of competency within its scope of registration as a Registered Training Organisation.
PUAEMR001A Establish context and develop risk evaluation criteria PU_AEMR002A IdentifY, analyse and evaluate risk PUAEMR003A Determine treatment strategies PUAEMR004A Manage treatment strategy implementation PUAEMR005A Design and manage activities which exercise elements of emergency management PUAOPE006A Control multi-agency emergency situations PUAOPE008A Coordinate resources within a multi-agency emergency response
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SECTOR WORKING GROUP
The SEMC continued its representation at meetings of the Emergency Management Sector Working Group, conducted by Emergency Management Australia. The Group monitors and reviews the implementation of the emergency management sector competencies in the Public Safety Training Package in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE (EMAI) ACTIVITIES
Twenty six (26) residential training courses were conducted by EMAI during the year. A total of seventy five (7 5) participants from a range of NSW agencies were involved. Instructional support to EMAI is provided by NSW, where sought, for the delivery of its courses.
Two EMAI extension courses were conducted during the year, as follows:
• Emergency Response Management Balmoral 12-15 February 2002 • Emergency Response Management Moorebank 20-23 May 2002
These courses are funded by EMAI, and delivered by EMAI and NSW instructors.
In addition, representatives of NSW emergency services organisations and functional areas attended a number of emergency management workshops and seminars conducted by EMAI.
EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Completing the development and documentation of emergency risk management support and training materials was a priority project for the year. An Implementation Guide for Emergency Management Committees and two training workbooks - 'Introduction to Emergency Risk Management' and 'Implementing Emergency Risk Management' - were printed and distributed to District and Local Committees.
Annual Report 2001/2002 16 SENIOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COURSE
This has been the highest level multi-agency emergency management training conducted in NSW. Its aim is to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of Emergency Operations Controllers, Emergency Services Controllers and Liaison Officers, and Functional Area Co ordinators and Liaison Officers, at both State and District levels, in the strategic management of emergency operations.
One course was conducted at Sydney in July 2001. It is under review by the Training ,,.Advisory Group.
Sl,QCAL LEVEL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING .e 51 4~~'SEMC Secretariat monitors, and provides funding for, local level emergency inanagement training conducted by District Emergency Management Officers. In 200 112002, funding was provided for the local delivery of the following courses: t Sector tors and COURSE TITLE NUMBER OF COURSES e Public Emergency Management Arrangements 36 Quality Introduction to Emergency Risk Management 24
Implementing Emergency Risk Management 7 IES Emergency Operations Centre Management 16 ·. A total ructional Evacuation Management 5
Exercise Management 6
Local Emergency Response Management 5 )02 TOTAL 99
EVALUATION AND REVIEW nal areas EMAI. Reports from participants and instructors are received and evaluated following the conduct of courses. Training packages and other training materials are reviewed annually by the Training Advisory Group and amended as necessary. Jport and ruide for 1ction to ' -were
16 Annual Report 200112002 17 PUBLIC AWARENESS
OBJECTIVE4 To de:velop and implement public awareness programs.
The development of educational literature on hazard types and reduction of risks is being met in conjunction with Emergency Management Australia's public educational programs and respective emergency service organisations. The State is represented on the National Emergency Management School Education Working Party.
Liaison is also maintained with various regulatory, manufacturing and transportation agencies with a view to producing specific Hazard Management Guidelines. The SEMC through its representatives is involved in the following groups which prepare specific hazard guidelines.
o Rail Fire and Life Safety Committee o Hazardous Chemicals Advisory Committee o Major Hazard Facilities Interdepartmental Advisory Committee o State Algal Co-ordinating Committee
The website for emergency management is currently under review. The site lists the state level plans, outlines the emergency management arrangements for NSW and provides links to associated emergency service organisations and supporting agencies web sites. The State Emergency Management Committees' Web page is at: http://www.semc.nsw.gov.au
Australian Safer Communities Awards
The Australian Safer Communities Awards is an initiative to recognise excellence m Emergency Management across Australia.
There were 17 entries received from NSW, belonging to both pre-disaster and post disaster categories.
Pre Disaster Federal/State Government Agencies Stream- Winner NSW Fire Brigades -"Community Fire Unit Program"
Local Government Stream - Winner Lismore Council -"Flood Awareness Week Project"
Volunteer Organisation Stream - Highly Commended Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club- "Science of the Surf'
Post Disaster Federal/State Government Agencies Stream- Winner NSW Agriculture - SOP development and supporting actions to enhance exotic animal disease response.
Annual Report 2001/2002 18 Local Government Stream - Winner .Hornsby Shire Council - "Hornsby Shire Council Emergency Response Plan"
Combination Stream - Winner Wollondilly Shire Council-·"Wollondilly Bush Fire Recovery Project"
Volunteer Organisations Stream- Highly Commended 1eing met the state l links to 'he State 'lence m : disaster :e exotic Annual Report 2001!2002 18 19 CIVIL DEFENCE OBJECTIVE 5 To formulate and promulgate plans for Civil Defence. Due to high priority tasks there has been no progress in the development of Civil Defenc initiative at either Commonwealth or State level during the year. Annual Report 2001/2002 PUBLICATIONS publications have been produced and are available from the State Jffi,er~~en,cv Management Committee: State Disaster Plan (Displan) I Defence State Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Animal Health Emergency Sub-Plan o State Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan <:k?t,,.s; State Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan (ENVIROPLAN) .. ·• State Hazardous Materials Emergency Sub-Plan (HAZMATPLAN) State Public Information Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Transport Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Aviation Emergency Sub-Plan State Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan State Major Structure Collapse Sub-Plan State Waters Marine and Chemical Oil Spill Contingency Sub-Plan State Health Services Functional Area Supporting Plan (HEALTHPLAN) State Flood Sub-Plan o State Storm Sub-Plan Briefs/Papers: o Brief on the Emergency Management Arrangements for NSW o Exercise Management Guide (2nd ed) o Brochure - Emergency Management Arrangements o Brochure - Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements o Brochure - An Evacuation Guide for Police and Emergency Services Organisations 20 Annual Report 200112002 21 THE STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE Executive support to the State Emergency Management Committee was provided by a small staff from the Office for Emergency Services which is administered by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The role of staff is to: a) provide executive support services to the: o State Emergency Operations Controller; o State Emergency Management Committee; · o Functional Area Sub-Committees; o Various short term Working Parties; b) represent the SEMC on committees at District, State and National levels; c) maintain and operate the State Emergency Operations Centre. The staff as at 30 June 2002: Secretmy Mr R F Brown B Bus., FAlES, AFAIM Assistant Secretary Ms T Windsor, B.App Sc (Env Tech) Grad DipEd, MAlES State Training Co-ordinator MrlWalker, Emergency Management Dip Tech [Pub Admin] Grad Dip Adult Ed, MAlES Senior Operations Officer MrPGenner Administrative Support Officer Mrs A Ouma-Machio Annual Report 200112002 22 SUPPORT PROVIDED 'a small ~ral Fire ATTENDED/CONDUCTED I)istrict Emergency Management Officers Conference F1lnctional Areas Coordinators Conference Air Vanuatn 737 Emergency Landing, Sydney Airport, Debrief Australian Safer Communities Awards .. SEOC Debrief, Christroas Fires PIICDebrief, Christroas Fires DEOCON/LEOCON Debrief. Christmas Fires Rural Fire Service Operational Debrief, Christmas Fires State Debrief, Christmas Fires Department of Community Services Debrief, Christmas Fires Information Systems- Communications Functional Area Committee ~.JiJUEFINGSIINSPECTIONS CONDUCTED ~tat~ Emergency Operations Centre briefings and inspections for personnel of following organisations ",<>-<,-< J~bula.nce Service of New South Wales ~Jlr~~ ~alice Service '~Jiii)e.se delegation >,l)!§~~~~W Brigades ·. "~t~~~llli!lJi Defence Force ··)'l:~~·flea1th Department ;§1i!t~>E.!Ilergency Service Training Officers (all States) ~~!ic Information Functional Area Committee .Ql\ill 22 Annual Report200!!2002 23 STANDING COMMITTEES SUPPORTED BY THE STAFF State Emergency Management Committee Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Communication Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Engineering Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Environmental Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Health Sel'ices Functional Area Sub-Conunittee Public Information Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Transport Services Functional Area Sub-Committee Welfare Services Functional Area Sub-Comntittee Training Advisory Group Urban Search and Rescue Sub-Committee Chemical Biological Radiological Sub-Committee SHORT TERM COMMITTEES/WORKING PARTIES SUPPORTED BY THE STAFF Central Sydney Operations group New Years Eve/Centenary of Federation Group Emergency Risk Management Implementation Working Group Professional Development Program for Emergency Managers State/Territory Emergency Management Training Officer Emergency Risk Management Implementation Working Party Liaison Officer's SOP at Rural Fire Service Review Group AEM Planning Guide Workshop State Emergency Service - Resupply during emergencies Road Accident Working Group STAFF REPRESENTATION ON COMMITTEES National National Emergency Management Comntittee National Emergency Management Executive Group National Emergency Management Sector Working Group National Mitigation Working Party National Airport Emergency Planning Advisory Committee National Civil Defence Advisory Group National Professional Development for Emergency Management Officers Steering Group Emergency Management Officer Professional Development Program Steering Group HAZMAT Training Working Group State NSW National Oil Spill Plan Executive Committee State Algal Coordinating Committee Sydney Airport Emergency Planning Committee Vocational Education & Training Advisory Board- NSW Public Sector Industry Training Advisory Board. Red Cross Disaster Response Advisory Conunittee ANSTO Local Liaison Working Party Sydney Airport Exercise Planning Committee Railway Fire & Life Safety Steering Conunittee Bankstown Airport Emergency Planning Comntittee Major Hazards Interdepartmental Advisory Committee Oil Spill Plan Technical Working Group Sydney Airport Welfare Committee Annual Reporl2001 /2002 24 TO THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER ;UI:IIN'G THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS f;ltf,EJneJ:geJocy Operations Centre (SEOC) is maintained at an "information level" at all times and some one hundred and twenty one events (121). was activated _1zjtoJorovideassistance to the Rural Fire Service to support bush fire operations in November 2001 on Christmas Day to provide 24 hour support for bush fire operations and closed on 13 January Information and Inquiry Centre was activated for the period 26 December to 14 January in §Jlpp<:>rt of the bush fire operations. It was staffed by supervisors from the police communications unit Emergency Service volunteers. The SEOC monitored both the response and recovery (pp(lratiOJlS and issued the various Sitreps and other reports to the SEMC members. Monitor possible foot and mouth disease, Lake George [Oct] J] Monitor outbreak Psittacosis, Blue Mountains [June] BUSH FIRES 0 Lapstone and Glenbrook [Oct] 0 Sutherland [Dec Jan] 0 Cessnock [Oct Dec Jan] 0 Grafton [Dec Jan] J] Gosford [Oct Dec Jan] 0 Pristine Waters [Dec Jan] J] Kempsey [Oct Dec Jan] 0 Copmanhurst [Dec Jan] J] Gloucester [Oct Nov] 0 Baulkham Hills [Dec Jan] 0 Singleton [Oct Nov Dec Jan] 0 Hornsby [Dec Jan] 0 Wyong [Oct Dec Jan] 0 Eurobodalla [Dec Jan] 0 Taree [Nov] 0 Mulwaree [Dec Jan] 0 Blue Mountains [Dec Jan] 0 Kiama [Dec Jan] 0 Hawkesbury [Dec Jan] 0 Shellharbour [Dec Jan] 0 Wollondilly [Dec Jan] 0 Campbellto\Vn [Dec] >pi Narromine [Dec Jan] 0 Wingecarribee [Dec Jan] .o Cabonne [Dec an] 0 Tallaganda [Dec Jan] 0 Mudgee [Dec Jan] 0 Ku-ring-gai [Dec Jan] ,o •.. Richmond Valley [Dec Jan] 0 Ryde [Dec Jan] Maclean [Dec Jan] 0 Lane Cove [Dec Jan] ·•·.• ·•. y·o ·.·.·.·.·.•.· •.·.•.• .. ••·••.· .•J]·.· ..•. •.· .•.•••.. •.·.·.· ••.•.. · Shoalhaven [Dec 0 Bellingen [Dec Jan] ,,m· Oberon [Dec Jan] 0 Muswellbrook [Dec Jan] 0 Penrith [Dec Jan] 0 W arringah [Dec Jan] 'Board. j{~p~(; Blacktown [Dec] 0 Narrabri [Dec Jan] ,~q;, i Fairfield [Dec] 0 Pittwater [Jan] ; Q;.. \Vollongong [Dec Jan] 0 Gilgandra [Dec Jan] >.o•'. Liverpool [Dec] I;ARTHQUAKE 0: Earthquake-between Boorowa and Young [July] 24 :Annual Report2001/2002 25 - FIRE 0 Factory Fire- Yennora [Aug] 0 Shell Refinery, Clyde [Oct] 0 Building Fire and Possible Collapse, Drummoyne [Apr] 0 Fire in Sub-Station, ANSTO, Lucas Heights [Apr] 0 Monitor ExplosionJFire- Pitt Street, Sydney [May] 0 Pitt Street, Sydney [Jun] FLOODS 0 Gwydir [Jul Nov 0 Belubula!Lachlan [Feb 0 Macintyre/Sevem [Nov] 0 Wollombi Brook/Williams/Patterson [Feb] 0 Paroo [Jan Mar] 0 Bogan [Feb] 0 Warrego [Jan, Feb] 0 Ourimbah Creek & Wyong Valley [Mar] HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 0 Gas Leak- Charlotte Pass [Jul] 0 Polluted Sewerage System and Evacuation -Charlotte Pass [Aug] 0 Envelope marked Anthrax - Kempsey Hospital [Oct] 0 Oil Spill- Glebe Island [Oct] 0 Ammonia Leak - Inverell [Oct] 0 White Powder in Shoebox- Sydney Airport [Oct] 0 White Powder in Postal Box- Greenacre [Oct] 0 White Powder -Yennora Mail Centre [Oct] 0 White Powder -American Consul Office [Oct] 0 White Powder- Qantas Jet Base [Oct] 0 White Powder- Albury Mail Exchange [Oct] 0 Ammonia Gas Leak- Riverstone [Oct] 0 Monitor Victims of Fumes- Smithfield [Oct] 0 White Powder- Temora Schools [Dec] 0 Gas Leak- Temora [Feb] 0 Gas Leak- North Sydney [Apr] 0 Explosive Device - Booker Bay [Apr] 0 Suspicious powder- Chullora [Apr] 0 Chemical Spill- Asquith [May] 0 Gas Leak- Wetherill Park [May] 0 Gas Leak- Pymble [May] MISCELLANEOUS 0 Air Vanuatu 737 Emergency Landing- Sydney Airport [Aug] 0 Air Alert - Bankstown Airport [Aug] 0 Helicopter Crash Glenfield [Aug] 0 Siege - Columbian Embassy [Aug] 0 Possible Dam Burst- Warkworth Mine [Aug] 0 Air Alert- Bankstown [Sep] 0 Search Four Missing Fisherman- Botany Bay [Sep] 0 World Trade Centre Bombing [Sep] 0 Pipe Bomb E':plosion Sydney Water Supply Line Guildford [Sep] 0 Loss of Power- Four Mines- Wollongong [Sep] 0 Bomb Alert- American E':press Building- Sydney [Oct] 0 Bomb Alert- ABC Building- Pyrrnont [Oct] 0 Suspicious Package Arab Bank- Parramatta [Oct] 0 Crane Fall on Building- Kirrawee [Nov] 0 Air Alert - Sydney Airport [Nov] Annual Report 200112002 '~r1pe:aceActivists entry in ANSTO [Dec] ,;,;;,. n,.;.,.;< Re-entry- Ultraviolet Explorer [Jan-Feb] prnc,um Gaol Riot [Apr] Crash - Revesby [May] Accident - Y anco [Apr] :son [Feb] Bus Smash- Crookwell [Aug] ~ehicle Accident- Five Dock [Aug] · :y [Mar] 3tisVOrr Smash -Blue Mountains (Dec] ~iriiil>>tation Wagon Smash- Blue Mountains (Dec] Smash- between Albury & Corowa- [May] · ,.~,,,,.,. >'1Jlladul:lato Port Macquarie [July] . '"'""''' , .:Souther:n Sydney [Aug] to Newcastle [Aug] Wollongong to Wyong [Aug] Wollongong, Sydney and North West NSW [Nov] Southern Highlands, Illawarra, Sydney. Gosford [Dec] Richmond Tweed [Jan] Sydney, Wollongong [Feb] Western Sydney [Feb] North NSW, Sydney North and Gosford [Jun] 26 ;;'ij{!tiua/ Report2001/2002 27 MEMBERS ATTENDANCE MEMBER i ATTENDED REPRESENTED POSSIBLE Major General B. W. Howard i 4 4 ' Deputy Commissioner J. Jarratt l 0 1. Deputy Commissioner K. Moroney i 1 3 I Commander R. Adams \ 3 1 4 Assistant Commissioner K. Thompson [ 4 4 Mr. S. Whinfield i 4 4 Commissioner P. Koperberg I 4 4 : Dr C. Keys I 1 1 I Brigadier P. McNamara ; 3 3 ! Mr. R. Gill/ 3 1 4 Mr. G. File ! 2 2 4 Mr. M. Cush i 2 2 4 Mr. J. Woodward ! 4 4 i Dr. M. Flynn \ 2 2 4 Ms E. Blieschke I 2 2 2. I Mr. C. Holmes I 3 1 4 I Mr. P. Olney 2 1 4 Mr. W. Parsons 3 1 4 Mr. T. Rogers i 1 1 I Mr. A. Gates i 3 4 Mr. P. Bickerstaff i 4 4 I Dr. D. Mullins J 2 1 4 Annual Report2001 /2002 SUB-COMMITTEES AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SERVICES SIBLE Functional Area Sub Committee 4 1. MrGFile 3 NSW Agriculture 4 Dr G Eggleston 4 NSW Agriculture 4 4 MsL Gorman 1 ofLand and Water Conservation RSPCA 3 Ms C Steffe 4 NSW Cat Fanciers Association 4 Mr TKorn 4 National Parks & Wildlife Service 4 4 Ms C McDougall Wildlife and Information Rescue Emergency 2. 4 Mr PGrant 4 Safefood 4 Mr VKite 1 Australian Chicken Meat Federation 4 MrA Candish 4 Royal NSW Canine Council 4 Ms RBruce Horse Rescue Australia MrJ Fimmino Joint Advis01y Council Australian Wildlife Animal Rescue Emergencies 28 29 The Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Sub-Committee during the reporting period focussed on reviewing the State's preparedness for an outbreak of an animal disease such as foot and mouth disease. Its major activities included:- review of the Animal Health Emergency Sub-plan revtew of the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan in conjunction with the District Emergency Management Committees identify possible sites and facilities for activation as Local Disease Control Centres. assisting various saleyards with their Foot and Mouth Disease Response Plan~ and conducting planning workshops at six (6) key centres throughout th~ State. Conducted 16 Emergency Management Awareness Courses for NS\1 Agriculture and the participating agencies. The Functional Area Co-ordinator represented NSW on the Council of Australia: Government's Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force. NSW Agriculture managed the SEMC' s Carcass Disposal project, as reported in the Plannin. Section. As part of its operational role the functional area supported the Rural Fire Service and Stat Emergency Service in many bush fires and storm operations. Annual Report 200112002 reporting COMMUNICATION SERVICES al disease Functional Area Sub Committee Mr A Gates upporting Department of Information Technology and Management es identify ntres. Jnse Plans MrP Payne 1ghout the Ambulance Service ofNSW Chief Supt D Dillon for NSW NSW Police Service MrR. Cox. Australian Department of Community Services Mr G DcMdson 1e Planning Department ofPublic Works and Services e and State 30 31 Communication Services Functional Area Sub-Committee supported the SEMC by: o Provided advice on radio communications on the capabilities of the Government Radio Network. o Convened the Standing Committee ofinformation Management. o Represented the State Emergency Mamgement Committee on the Ausdin Project. o Coordinated Emergency Management input for ANZLIC. Annual Report200J 12002 32 {: ENGINEERING SERVICES Functional Area Sub Committee Mr MNCush Department of Public Works and Services \usdin Mr PGarland Department ofPublic Works and Services MrKBennett Department ofLand and Water Conservation Mr M Davies Energy Australia izbcwdiere I Mr. P. Wood Mr A nwrnton (NSW) Ltd Hunter Water Corporation Ltd MrJWannan State Rail Authority 32 33 The Engineering Services Functional Area Sub-Committee: o continued to provide assistance to local government under the Natural Di Relief Arrangements following the floods in February and March 2001. o reviewed the Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan. o As a partner in the Carcass Disposal Project, conducted a National Engineering workshop and provided engineering input to the final report. o Provided support to the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service during the bushfire and storm operations. Annual Report200J/2002 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Functional Area Sub Committee ral Diaster '01. Co-ordinator Mr J Woodward l. Environment Protection Authority Ms J Thomson I Mr G Thomas ·eport. Environment Protection Authority •fVICe MrMJohnson Rail Infrastructure C01poration Mr B Piggott Roads & Traffic Authority MrGDouglas Rural Fire Service Mr D Mullins I MrS Fernando Planning NSW MrJ Pullin Sydney Ports Corporation Mr D Parsons I Mr B Angus Sydney Water C01poration MsJ Wall /Mr RLea Transport Mr D Hawthorn United Transport Services MsJ White and Wildlife Waste Service Mr EGbert Chem,ica,!s Industries Association WorkSafe Australia Mr P Butt I MrS Morson WorkCover and Sen>ices 34 35 In 200 I -2002 the EPA was notified of 3 83 hazardous ma1:eri< 4% increase from 2000-2001 and is comparable to recent related oil and chemical spills. Of these 92 (24%) rennirPrh because of potential environmental concerns, compared to cases, the EPA responded to the site and either provided environmental issues, directed the clean-up of the site or rmrestig the incident. In the cases where site response was not required or could be provided over the phone. Hazardous materials incidents with potential em•iro1nni• Significance reported to the EPA 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 Apart from maintaining preparedness and responding to hazmat incidents, the Environmental Services Functional Area's main focus during 2001-2002 involved participation in the planning process for exotic animal disease emergencies. The EPA played a major role in the production of a report on "the Disposal of Animals, Animal products and Fomites Associated with an Animal disease Emergency". It also participated in a number of regional and cross border workshops on the management of animal carcasses during emergencies. The Environmental Services Functional Area also participated on the State CBR Steering Committee and was involved in the whole of government response to 'white powder' incidents between October and December 2001. Two meetings of the Environmental Services Functional Area Committee were held in 2001- 2002. A significant outcome of these meetings was the reactivation of the Hazmat Training Working Group to examine inter-agency training needs and to develop seminars on hazmat incident and emergency response. 36 Functional Area Co-ordinator and Chairperson: Deputy Functional Area Co-ordinator Dr D Cooper and Royal Flying Doctor Services NSW Health Department of Australia (NSW Section): Executive Officer: MrsSLown Health Department Members; Superintendent G Smith Dr RMorris Ambulance Service ofNSW Deputy Health Services Functional Area Co-ordinator Prof B Raphael Mr P Charlesworth Centre for Mental Health Australian Red Cross NSW Health Department (NSW Division) Mr D Elliott Mr POlney StJohn Ambulance Australia (NSW District) Department of Community Services Mr R 0 'Donoughue Public Health Controller NSW Health Department 6 Annual Report 200112002 37 Health Services Functional Area Sub-Committee underwent a number of changes to key personnel during the year, however it participated in the following planning activities: o SCIM o CBR Sub-Committee o USAR Sub-Committee o Carcass Disposal project o Australian Disaster Medicine Course Health Plan was activated to provide Health Services support to: o The white powder incidents following September 11 o Bush fire operations over the December/January period o Support to New Years Eve Celebrations and the City to SurfFun Run 38 PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES Functional Area Sub Committee Functional Area Co-ordinator and Chairperson: Members: Mr PGibbs MrGField Sydney Airport NSW Ambulance Service MsLGoodin MsMJeuken NSW State Emergency Service Department of Community Services MrBMuldrew Mr WDuncan NSW Agriculture Community Relations Commission Mr C Perkins Mr I Krimmer National Parkes & Wildlife Service NSW Fire Brigade MrJWinter Ms TAbraham NSW Rural Fire Service Department of Public Works and Services Ms A Chadwick MsMHi/lman Sydney Water Australian Red Cross Ms S Paintin MrGBurg NSW Health Department Premiers Department Mr A Vickery Mr N Patchett Rail Infrastructure Corporation Watemays Authority MrMOve1y MrS Snell Minisl:!y of Energy & Utilities Depar!Jnent of Transport Mr JZahra Transgrid 38 Annual Report 200 I 12002 39 The Public Information Services Functional Area Sub-Committee continued to respond to the Public Information requirements of the SEMC including: o Preparation for Foot and Mouth Disease operations o Bush fire and storm operations o White powder incidents o The Standard Emergency Warning Signal program 40 TRANSPORT SERVICES Functional Area Sub Committee Functional Area Co-ordinator: MrC Holmes and Chairperson: Department of Transport Executive Officer Mr A Lidbetter Department of Transport Members: Mr K Wright 1 Mr G McLeod MrBCowan State Rail Authority Freight C01p MrDLowe MrBMoore Roads and Traffic Authority Waterways Authority Mr R Wheatley Mr DKeenan Bus and Coach Association (NSW) State Transit Authority MrBDoak Mr TDene Rail Infrastructure C01poration Road Transport Association MrJBowe Mr A Terrell Taxi Council ofNSW Regional Airlines Association MrJBoyd State Mail Service 40 Annual Report 200112002 41 The Transport Services Functional Area Sub Committee met once during the year with a number of other meetings held with individual members as required. The Sub-Committee participated in: o SEMC Sub Committee for Foot and Mouth Disease o FMD Saleyard Planning Workshops held at six regional centres o Exercise Wombat (new Southern Rail Line) o Engineering Functional Area Workshop o Development and maintenance of District Transport Plans o Hawkesbury Nepean Flood Plan (transport planning) o Assisted at Response Management Course held in Sydney East and Sydney South West District The Sub-Committee supported the Rural Fire Service in the Christmas 2001/2002 bush fires by providing transport resources including trucks for general freight, tankers, boats and buses in the Sydney South West, Illawarra, Georges River, Western Sydney, Central West and Sydney North Districts. 42 WELFARE SERVICES Functional Area Sub Committee Functional Area Co-ordinator: Mr POlney Department of Community Services Executive Officer: Vacant Members: Major F Wilson MrGHogen The Salvation Army St. Vincent de Paul Society Mr C Olajjson Mr P Charlesworth Seventh-day Adventist Church Australian Red Cross (NSW) Dr D Cooper MrGMcKay NSWHealth Department of School Education & Training Ms L Pettersson MrS Opper Community Relations Commission State Emergency Service MrJMartin MrCHenri Local Government Association Insurance Council of Australia Mr TO 'Mara Anglicare f2 Annual Report 2001!2002 43 The Welfare Services Functional Area Sub Committee was heavily involved in providing welfare support to incidents resulting from the floods (February/March 2001) storms and in particular the many bush fires and the distribution of appeal monies to the victims. In addition the Committee members were actively involved in: o The Council of Australian Governments review into Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements and the Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force. o A review of the Disaster Recovery program of the Department of Community Services o The review of the Functional Area Supporting Plan. 44 NSW URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE (USAR) SUB COMMITTEE Committee Chairperson: Inspector G Smith I NSWPolice I Executive Officer: Ms I Windsor I,, State Emergency Management Committee Secretariat Il Members: \ Mr GSmith Inspector John Denny Ambulance Service of NSW NSW Fire Brigades \ Dr D Cooper MrHMueller NSW Health State Rescue Board Mr P Garland Department of Public Works and Services 44 Annual Report 2001/2002 45 The Terms of Reference for the Sub-Committee are: l. To undertake analysis of the NSW USAR capability and interoperability as part of the national Strategy; 2. To oversight the USAR program in NSW in accordance with the Major Structure Collapse Sub Plan. The Sub-Committee has the following aim and objectives: Aim: To advise the State Emergency Management Committee on the structure and maintenance of a multi-agency USAR Response Capability. Objectives: 1. To review and recommend USAR arrangements and capabilities; 11. To review and recommend USAR training and equipment standards; 111. To develop a strategy and endorse educational material; 1v. To monitor the conduct of multi-agency training exercises; v. To review, monitor and provide recommendations for the NSW Major Structure Collapse Sub Plan; v1. To review and recommend interstate and international USAR deployment capability and interoperability. The USAR Sub-Committee meets every one to two months. Training: a. Category 1 training CDs have been distributed to Emergency Services;· b. · Approximately 1100 f!re fighters, 5 dog handlers and 12 ambulance officers have been trained in Category 2 USAR skills. Annual Report 2001/2002 STATE CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL (CBR) STEERING SUB-COMMITTEE Committee Chairperson: Chief Szperintendent J Hamilton NSW Fire Brigades Executive Officer: Members: Chief Inspector M Edwards Sergeant D Ussher NSWPolice NSWPolice Station Officer RMcNeil Superintendent G Smith NSW Fire Brigades NSW Ambulance Service Dr D Cooper MrG Thomas NSW Health Environmental Protection Authority Mr RBrown State Emergency Management Committee ,6 Annual Report 2001/2002 47 The CBR Steering Sub-Committee was formed and: a. Provides advice to the SEMC on CBR related issues b. Identifies, evaluates and monitors CBR Hazards and related threats to life and property; c. Reviews and monitors appropriate CBR emergency management structures at all levels; d. Identifies CBR resources both within and outside the State and developing and reviewing plans for the allocation of those resources; e. Reviews and monitors CBR related emergency management legislation; f. Develops, reviews and monitors plans, guidelines and systems used in the control and coordination of CBR emergency operations; g. Develops, coordinates and conducts CBR multi agency training and exercises; and h. Develop, maintain and review a coordinated approach for emergency management of CBR incidents and emergencies by liaison with Commonwealth and other States and Territories agencies. The Sub-Committee has developed a strategic plan and is representing NSW on the National Chemical, Biological and Radiological Working Group. Annual Report 2001!2002 48 NSW STANDING COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Committee Chairperson: Mr TGates Department Information and Technology Management Executive Officer: Members: MrRBrown Assistant Commissioner K Thompson NSW Ambulance NSW Fire Brigades Mr P Meredith MsKMcCall NSW Rural Fire Service NSW State Emergency Service Mr TRooke MrRLea NSWPolice Transport Sen,ices MrMNott Mr D Trowbridge Disaster Welfare Services Animal and Agriculture Services MrPGarland Dr DCooper Engineering Services Health Services MrKMorris Mr TSleigh NSW Treasury Land and Property Information Ms T Windsor State Emergency Management Committee Secretariat The Standing Committee on Information Management was formed in March 2002 to look at: 1. Developing the Hailstorm impact mapping program to work with agency databases; 2. The development of an online operational website; and 3. The development of the online contact directory. The committee has met on one occasion in this financial year. Annual Report 2001/2002 50 ANNEXA CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Major General Howard served in the Australian Regular CHAIRPERSON Army from 1956 until 1989. His final appointment was as Director General of the Natural Disasters Organisation Major General which he held from 1987 to 1989. Major General Howard was the Director General of the NSW State Emergency B.W. Howard, AO, MC, ESM MAlES Service from 18 December, 1989 to July, 2000. He was the Director General Chairperson of the State Emergency Management State Emergency Service Committee from its establishment in 1990 to 3rd June 1993 and the State Rescue and Emergency Services Board from its establishment in 1990 to March, 1992. He was reappointed Chairman of the Committee in February 1996 Mr. Jarratt was Deputy Commissioner (Field Operations) STATE EMERGENCY and State Emergency Operations Controller. His Police OPERATIONS portfolio included the eleven Region Commands that are responsible for the delivery of policing services to the State CONTROLLER as well as Olympic Security and Education Services. In recent years Deputy Commissioner Jarratt has been the Commander of Professional responsibility and the former Deputy Commissioner North-West and South Regions. J. Jarratt, APM [to 14 October 2001] During the Wood Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service between 1995-97, Deputy Commissioner Jarratt headed up the NSW Police Service Reform Team for Commissioner Ryan. Deputy Commissioner Jarratt has been awarded the Australian Police Medal and the National Medal and clasp. He has an arts degree in politics and masters degree in business administration from Macquarie University. Commissioner K. Maroney Commissioner Ken Moroney joined the NSW Police in 1965 [from 15 October 2001] and has served throughout New South Wales in a number [to 14 May 2002] of regional and metropolitan police stations. In 1987 Ken Moroney was appointed as the first director of police recruit education at the Police Academy, Goulburn. In 1990, he became the Chief of Staff to then Commissioner, Tony Lauer. Thereafter, he has held positions as Region Commander, Deputy Commissioner, and Senior Deputy Com missioner. Operationally, Ken Moroney has been recognised for his service during the Strathfield Massacre, the Thredbo landslide, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the 2001 Christmas Bushfires. He holds a Master of Arts degree, Diploma of Justice Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Management and a certificate in personnel management. On 19 May 2002 was sworn as the 19th Commissioner of the NSW Police. Annual Report 2001/2002 51 EMERGENCY SERVICE ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTATIVES NSW POLICE Assistant Commander Adams is the Commander of the Inner Metropolitan Region. SERVICE He has 32 years policing experience and prior to his current appointment was Commander of the City East Region. Assistant Commander R. Adams, APM, RFD He holds an undergraduate degree in Adult Education and a postgraduate degree in Management. His current appointments include Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller; Member, State Emergency Management Committee; Member; State Rescue Board; and Member NSW Bushfire Co-ordinating Committee. He is the Police Service's corporate sponsor for Emergency Management and Motor Vehicle Theft. NSW FIRE Ken Thompson is an Assistant Commissioner with the NSW Fire Brigades and holds the position of Director Risk BRIGADES Management. His portfolio includes the Fire Safety Division; Fire Investigation and Research Unit; Community Risk Management Unit, and corporate risk management. Prior to Assistant Commissioner his current appointment, he was the Regional Commander K Thompson, AFSM for North Region and then the Director of State Operations, during which time he was Australia's representative on a United Nations Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Group. Ken holds graduate and post-graduate qualifications in planning and management. He is an Associate of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies; a Graduate of the United States National Fire Academy, and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. In 2000, he was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal. Appointed General Manager, Operations in February 2001, AMBULANCE SERVICE Superintendent Whinfield was previously Director of OFNSW Operational Services for the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust in the UK. He began his career as an Ambulance Officer in 1980, qualifying as a paramedic in Mr. S. Whinfield. MBA 1986. He held a variety of operational management General Manager, positions before becoming Director of Operations of the Northumbria Ambulance Service in 1992. He is currently a Operations member of the State Rescue Board of NSW and a Councillor of the Royal Humane Society of NSW. Annual Report 2001/2002 52 NSW RURAL FIRE Commissioner Koperberg first became involved with the Service in 1967 as a member of the North Springwood SERVICE Brigade in the Blue Mountains. In 1970, having progressed through the brigade ranks, Mr Koperberg was appointed full time Fire Control Officer for the Blue Mountains, a position Commissioner he held until 1982. During this time, he also held the P.C. Koperberg, position of Executive Officer to the Blue Mountains Bush AM,AFSM,BEM Fire Prevention Association. In 1972 he was elected Chairman of the Fire control Officers' Association of New South Wales holding the position until 1982. In 1980 through until 1982 he was appointed Member of the Bush Fire Council of NSW representing Fire Control Officers. In 1982, he was appointed Emergency Services Policy Analyst to the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services. In 1985 he was appointed Chairman of the Bush fire Council of NSW and Executive Officer of the then Bush fires Branch of the Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. In 1989, he was appointed Director-General, Department of Bush Fire Services and in 1993 he was appointed the position of Commissioner of Bush Fire Services. During the major fire fighting campaign of 1994 Koperberg was the overall emergency controller when some 800 fires covering in excess of 800,000 hectares were burning in eastern NSW. On September 1 1997, following the proclamation of the Rural Fires Act 1997, he was appointed Commissioner/ Chief Executive officer of the NSW Rural Fire Service. In April 1999, when severe hail storms battered eastern Sydney causing damage to more than 30,000 properties, Koperberg was appointed to operationally coordinate the initial recovery effort. The Commissioner was appointed Chairman of the State Rescue Board of NSW in 1996 and appointed a member of the State Emergency Management Committee from 1989 to 1997 and then again in 1998 to present. The Commissioner is also Chairman of the NSW Rural Fire Service Advisory Council and Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee, the State Rescue Board Member and director of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council. Annual Report 2001!2002 53 Brigadier McNamara was appointed as Director General, STATE State Emergency Service on 27 August 2001. Prior to this EMERGENCY appointment, in March 2002 he had been selected by the Premier to be the Regional Recovery Coordinator for the SERVICE North Coast Floods. He held this position for five months. Prior to Marc h 2002 Brigadier McNamara had served for 35 Brigadier P. McNamara, CSC, years in the Australian Army. His last posting in the army was Commander Special forces, a position he held during BSc, Gr AIM Gr AICD the Olympic Games when he commanded the Defence Director General Counter Terrorist Task Force and worked closely with the New South Wales Police force. During his military career he focussed mainly on operations and training. Mr Gill has been a member of the NSW Volunteer Rescue VOLUNTEER Association Inc for 25 years and was elected President on 8 RESCUE October 1994. He was appointed a Member of the State ASSOCIATION Rescue Board on and from 8 October 1994. Mr Gill has also been involved in major operations with the Mr. R.G. Gill Volunteer Rescue Association; participating in such operations as Cyclone Tracy in 1974, the Blue Mountains President Fires in 1977, the Barrington Tops search, Newcastle Earthquake, the 1994 NSW Bush Fir.es and the Thredbo Landslip. He has been an officer of the Reserve Bank of Australia for 34 years and is presently the Manager Security Engineering, Facilities Management Department. Mr Gill has travelled to Canada, United Kingdom and the United States to study high security and has travelled to several Pacific Region countries to advise on security matters FUNCTIONAL AREA COORDINATORS Mr File joined NSW Agriculture in 1967. He has been an AGRICULTURE Extension Officer; a Research Officer; Director of AND ANIMAL Agricultural Research Institute, Wagga Wagga; Chief, Division of Animal Production; Executive Director, Research SERVICES Advisory & Education; and became Executive Director, Regulatory in 1994. He is now responsible for industry G. File, HDA (Hons), development, quality assurance, legislation and regulatory B.Rur Sc (Hons), M.Rur Sc, JP activities, including exotic disease outbreaks, export and import controls and natural disaster relief arrangements. Executive Director From October 1994 to June 1995 he was seconded to (Regulatory) Premier's Department as the State's Drought Relief NSW Agriculture Coordinator, and again for four months in 1998 Annual Report 2001/2002 54 Mr Gates joined the Office of Information Technology in COMMUNICATIONS 1998 as Director the NSW Government's Y2K Project. Prior to that he was Senior Assistant Commissioner of the NSW Mr. A.C. Gates B.Sc. Rural Fires Service during which he was involved in a Director Operations, number of emergency management operations and activities including the January 1994 Bush fires and there Office of Information Technology, write of the State's Bush fire Legislation in 1997. NSW Department of Information Technology and Management He has worked in the emergency management field since 1986. Prior to that he was a Town Planner with the then Department of Planning. Since 2000 he has worked in a number of whole-of Government information and communications technology projects for the Office of Information Technology ENGINEERING SERVICES Mr Cush joined the Department of Public Works and Services in 1995 after 23 years with the Roads and Traffic Authority. Initially working in the Department's Policy Mr. M.N. Cush Division, Mike became Regional Manager, MetSouth in Operations Director 1996 and later Regional Manager, Sydney Region. Project Management Group He has held the role of Engineering Services Functional Department of Public Area Coordinator since mid 1996 Works and Services ENVIRONMENTAL Mr Woodward has been with the Environment Protection Authority since its inception in 1992 and prior to that with the SERVICES former State Pollution Commission since 1977. He has held various positions including Director Southern Regions, Executive Director Sydney Region and is currently Assistant Mr. J. Woodward Director General with responsibility for the Operations Assistant Director-General Division of the EPA Operations Prior to joining the State Government Mr Woodward worked in the steel industry, mining and manufacturing. Mr Woodward has had extensive experience in environment protection including air, water, noise, waste and chemicals pollution control. He has also had international experience in the US, UK, Europe, Japan and Indonesia. He has Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering (Honours) Degrees from the University of Wollongong. He has lectured for several years in environmental science and environmental engineering and is currently a member of the Science Faculty visiting committee at the University of Wollongong. Dr Michael Flynn was appointed as General Manager, HEALTH Health Services Development and Planning and Medical SERVICES Director of the Ambulance Service of NSW in January 2001. He also holds the statuary appointment as NSW State Health Services Functional Area Coordination responsible Dr. M. Flynn M.B., B.S. DObs for the deployment of health resources in the event of a RCOG OVen FRACGP FAFOM disaster. Director Dr Flynn graduated in Medicine from the University of Counter Disaster Melbourne in 1969, the year that he was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy. During his full-time service with the RAN, he served with the Royal Navy, United States Navy and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. He also served operationally in a number of areas overseas. Following completion of full-time service in the RAN as Director General Naval Health Services in 1998, he was appointed as the Director of the NSWHEALTH Olympic Planning and Counter Disaster Units in preparation for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games Ms Liz Blieschke was the Director of Public Affairs for the PUBLIC INFORMATION NSW Police Service, a position held since June, 2000. Ms L. Blieschke MBA With the Police Services, she was responsible for media Director liaison, public education campaigns and major events, corporate publications and internal communications. She Public Affairs played a key role in strategic management and NSW Police Service organisational change. [to Apr 02] As Public Information Functional Area Coordinator for the State Disaster Plan, Liz was responsible for planning and coordinating the dissemination of public information during emergencies. She was also a Director of Crime Stoppers. Liz previously worked as Managing Director of a large NSW PR company, and has been Chief of Staff to a State Premier and media advisor to a Minister of Education, as well as public relations roles in several larger corporations. Mr. Homes is the A/Director Rail Safety, Transport Safety TRANSPORT SERVICES Bureau for the Department of Transport. He has been involved in the transport industry for nineteen years, holding Mr. C. Holmes a number of management positions within the Operations A/Director area and Industrial Relations. Rail Safety His duties with the Department, while including Emergency Transport Safety Bureau Management, also includes responsibility to ensure that Department of Transport appropriate performance standards are in place for all aspects of rail based public transport operations. He has performed the role of Transport Services Functional Area Coordinator since February 1999. Colin was previously the State Liaison Officer/Executive Officer for the Transport Functional Area and while employed ·by the State Transit Authority was the Transport Services representative on the North Sydney Local Emergency Management Committee. Annual Report2001 !2002 56 WELFARE SERVICES Mr Olney joined the NSW Public Service in 1957 and has occupied positions in Forestry Commission, Bush Fire Mr. P. Olney Council and State Emergency Services. He occupies the position of Manager, Emergency Services, Department of Manager, Emergency Services Community Services, a position he has held since 1986. Department of Community Services Mr Olney has been involved in Emergency Management for 37 years and has been involved in all major disasters since that time. This includes Cyclone Tracy 1974, Major floods of 1971, 1974, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 (Nyngan), 1991, and 1998 (North West· rivers and Wollongong), Granville Rail disaster 1977, Newcastle Earthquake 1 989. Bush fires 1968, 1976, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, 1999 hailstorm, 1999 reception of refugees from Kosovar and the flooding of 2000/2001. He is a founding member of the Australian Institute of Emergency Services and holds the Disaster Services Administration Certificate. He is also a member of the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee MEMBERS Mr. Parsons has been with the Premier's Department since PREMIER'S DEPARTMENT 197 4 and has had extensive experience in most aspects of the Department's many and varied areas of administration. Mr. W.J. Parsons He has served overseas in the United States and London Director where he was involved in both government administration and investment promotion. His early career was with the Disaster Response and Housing Commission and the Department of Local Special Services Government and he is currently involved in aspects of security planning, special initiatives, emergency liaison and co-ordination and honours and awards. Mr Parsons is a member of a number of committees and boards Mr. Rogers transferred to the Department of Local DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL Government in July, 1991 and was appointed Deputy GOVERNMENT Director-General in February, 1992. He has been Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Grants Commission Mr. T.J. Rogers, B.Ec., Mad since October 1991. Deputy Director-General He previously held senior positions in Business and [to 8 Nov 01] Consumer Affairs and the New South Wales Department of Industrial Development and Decentralisation. He was a Deputy Chairman of the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation. He has also worked in the Sydney Water Board, Education Department, Public Service Board and the Department of Local Government and Lands Annual Report2001 /2002 57 Mr Bickerstaff joined NSW Treasury 1976 after working for THE TREASURY the Public Service Board. Mr. Bickerstaff has been a Branch Director within the Resource Allocation directorate Mr. P. Bickerstaff (and previously the Budget Sector Divisidn since 1989. Director, Funding and policy matters relating to natural disaster relief come within Mr Bickerstaffs area of responsibility. During Justice and Emergency Services 2001/2002 Mr Bickerstaff has been a State representative Branch, Resources Allocation on the high level group established by the Council of Directorate, Australian Governments to review natural disaster mitigation, relief and recovery arrangements Treasury Dr Mullins joined the NSW State Government in 1992 after PLANNING NSW a 36 year career in the chemical industry. He has held production and project management positions in a large Dr. D.P. Mullins, multi-national company manufacturing heavy and specialty chemicals in which risk management has played a Dip. App.Chem. Th.m. Th. D significant part. His responsibilities include ensuring that Assistant Director risks from potentially hazardous facilities are appropriately Development and assessed and managed. Infrastructure Assessment ECRETARY Mr. R.F. Brown, B.Bus, AFAIM. Mr Brown joined the NSW Public Service in 1963, and has worked in the counter disaster/emergency management and FAlES civil defence areas since 1970. He specialised in emergency planning and operations. His responsibilities have included the coordination, at District and State levels, of planning, training and the conduct of operations. He is a member of a· number of interdepartmental and national planning and coordinating committees. He is a member of a number of interdepartmental and national planning and coordinating committees. He is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Emergency Services. Annual Report2001 /2002 58 ANNEXB EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS Central West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bathurst City Council, Blayney Council, Cabonne Council, Cowra Council, Evans Council, Forbes Council, Greater Lithgow City 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 and the Unincorporated Area of NSW. Georges River Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Auburn City Council, Bankstown City Council, Hurstville City Council, Kogarah Council, Rockdale Council, Sutherland Council, Botany Bay and Port Hacking. Hunter Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Cessnock City Council, Dungog Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council, Merriwa Council, Murrurundi Council, Muswellbrook Council, Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council, Scone Council, Singleton Council, Port Stephens, and Port Hunter. lllawarra Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Kiama Council, Shellharbour Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong City Council and 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, Queanbeyan City Council, Snowy River Council, Tallaganda Council and Yarrowlumla Council. Murray Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Albury City Council, Balranald Council, Berrigan Council, Conargo Council, Corowa Council, Culcairn Council, Deniliquin Council, Holbrook Council, Hume Council, Jerilderie Council, Murray Council, Tumbarumba Council, Urana Council, Wakool Council and Wentworth Council and Windouran Council. Northern Rivers Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Ballina Council, Byron Council, Copmanhurst Council, Grafton City Council, Kyogle Council, Lismore City Council, Maclean Council, Pristine Waters Council, Richmond Valley Council, and Tweed Council. Peel Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Armidale Dumaresq Council, Barraba Council, Bingara Council, Glen Innes Council, Gunnedah Council, Guyra Council, lnverell Council, Manilla Council, Moree Plains Council, Narrabri Council, Nundle Council, Parry Council, Quirindi Council, Severn Council, Tamworth City Council, Tenterfield Council, Uralla Council, Walcha Council and Yallaroi 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, Crookwell Council, Goulburn City Council, Gundagai Council, Gunning Council, Harden Council, Mulwaree Council, Tumut Council, Weddin Council, Yass Council and Young Council. Annual Report200J !2002 59 Sydney Eastern Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Botany Bay City Council, Randwick City Council, Sydney City Council, South Sydney City Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Council, Port Jackson and Parramatta River up to the Parramatta Weir. Sydney Mid West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Ashfield Council, Burwood Council, Canterbury Council, City of Canada Bay Council, Leichhardt Council, Marrickville Council and Strathfield Council. Sydney North Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Gosford City Council, Hornsby Council, Hunters Hill Council, Ku-ring-gai Council, Lane Cove Council, Manly Council, Mosman Council, North Sydney Council, Pittwater Council, Ryde Council, Warringah Council, Willoughby City Council, Wyong Council and all navigable waters of Brisbane Waters, Broken Bay, The Pittwater, Cowan Waters and the Hawkesbury River upstream to Wisemans Vehicle Ferry. Sydney South West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council, Fairfield City Council, Liverpool City Council, Wingecarribee Council a~d Wollondilly Council. Western Slopes Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Coolah Council, Coonabarabran Council, Coonamble Council, Dubbo City Council, Gilgandra Council, Mudgee Council, Narromine Council, Rylstone Council, Walgett Council, Warren Council and Wellington Council. Western Sydney Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Baulkham Hills Council, Blacktown City Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Holroyd Council, Parramatta City Council and Penrith City Council. Annual Report 200112002 60 ANNEXC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING POLICY INTRODUCTION 1. The State Emergency Management Committee's functions (Section 15.(2) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989) include: 'To arrange emergency management training for individuals, including individuals employed in emergency services organisations and functional areas'; 'To assist in the selection and training of district and local government personnel. ... ' AIMS 2. A. To provide policy for the development and delivery of emergency management training at all levels to emergency services organisations, functional areas, individuals and local government personnel in NSW. B. To develop a Code of Practice which establishes the commitment of the Committee to the development of quality emergency management training, and the maintenance of high standards in its delivery throughout NSW. TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES NATIONAL-LEVEL TRAINING 3. The Australian Emergency Management Institute [AEMI] conducts a range of Commonwealth funded residential and extension training activities designed to improve Australia's capability to cope with emergencies. 4. Activities conducted by the Institute, as" notified in the Institute's annual Handbook, include: training and education courses delivered residentially, or as extension activities at selected locations in the States/Territories; studies conducted as seminars or workshops with awareness, promotional, information sharing or problem-solving goals. Annt1nl "Qonrwt ?flflll?f'lfl? AEMI Residential Courses. 5. The State Training Co-ordinator, Emergency Management [TCEM] processes all NSW nominations for AEMI residential courses, and allocates NSW vacancies for attendance according to the following criteria: a. AEMI attendance criteria b. Emergency management need c. Nominee's emergency management responsibility d. Nominating organisation need e. Nominee's prior attendance at AEMI courses The basic prerequisite to attendance at any- AEMI course is completion of the "Emergency Management Arrangements Course" conducted by Districts. 6. District nominations are made to the respective District Emergency Management Officer [DEMO], who submits them direct to TCEM on the AEMI nomination form with recommendations of priority for attendance. TCEM liaises directly with DEMOs in respect of these nominations. 7. State-level nominations [from the Head Offices of agencies] may be made direct to TCEM. 8. Nominations are to be submitted to TCEM no later than 10 weeks prior to the commencement of a course. TCEM provides AEMI with details of the selected nominees 8 weeks prior to the commencement date. Joining Instructions are sent to the selected nominees direct by AEMI with detail of travel arrangements. 9. Unsuccessful nominations are held as reserves in case later withdrawals of selected nominees occur. 10. SEMC Secretariat and DEMOs may assist AEMI with the delivery of residential courses, at its request. AEMI Seminars and Workshops 11. TCEM coordinates NSW representation on AEMI seminars and workshops, m accordance with the AEMI attendance criteria for each activity. 12. SEMC Secretariat arranges State-level emergency management representation, where appropriate, to these activities. Records 13. TCEM maintains records ofNSW participants on all AEMI courses. DEMOs maintain similar records for their District. Annual Report2001/2002 62 Emergency Management Australia [EMA] .National Consultative Committees. 14. SEMC Secretariat arranges emergency management representation, where appropriate, to EMANational Consultative Committees and Working Parties. STATE-LEVEL TRAINING "Senior Emergency Management" Course 15. SEMC Secretariat, the NSW Police Service and the Department of Community Services provide instructional staff to deliver the Senior Emergency Management Course. Delivery and evaluation of this course is co-ordinated by the TCEM. General Emergency Management Training 16. SEMC Secretariat supports emergency services agencies, functional areas and other agencies in the conduct of emergency management training and exercises. 17. TCEM designs, conducts and evaluates emergency management and operational control training for SEOC staff DISTRICT-LEVEL TRAINING "Emergency Management Arrangements" and other District Courses 18. DEMOs organise, conduct and evaluate "Emergency Management Arrangements" Courses within their Districts to meet their assessed training need and as a prerequisite to all other multi-agency emergency management training. I 9. DEMOs will organise, conduct and evaluate such other multi-agency District and Local level courses as endorsed by the SEMC (see paragraphs 26-29). 20. TCEM provides instructional and resource support to Districts in the conduct of these courses as required. 21. Courses accredited by VETAB are delivered under the direct supervision of accredited trainers who have completed Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. They may be supported by non-accredited presenters. Training Support to Agencies 22. DEMOs provide support to emergency services organisations, functional areas and other agencies with their single-service emergency management training and exercises. Annual Report 200112002 NSW STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE COMPETENCY BASED ASSESSMENT 1. Competency assessment is available to all partlcrpants who complete VET AB accredited training endorsed by the SEMC. This assessment is to meet the principles of validity, reliability, flexibility and fairness. 2. Assessment may be conducted by any person who meets both of the following criteria: a. Is a qualified workplace assessor, accredited against the national Workplace Assessor competency standards; and b. Has at least 2 years emergency management experience in a multi-agency context. Persons who do not fully meet this criteria may assist with gathering evidence for assessment under the supervision of a qualified assessor. 3. Assessors must ensure that candidates are not placed in unsafe conditions during assessment, and that the assessment procedures do not discriminate against candidates on the basis of factors irrelevant to job performance such as sex, age, gender, race and background. All potential candidates are to have equal opportunity and access to assessment. 4. Assessment is to be conducted in accordance with the following process: a. Outline the assessment requirement in all training information. b. · Provide each candidate for assessment with a pre-assessment briefing. c. Conduct the assessment, and document the evidence accurately and completely. d. Evaluate the evidence, imd make a judgement of competence. e. Provide post assessment feedback to each candidate. f Conduct reassessment of candidates as necessary. g. Record the results of assessment. h. Issue certificates to successful candidates. 5. Where a candidate is assessed as being 'not yet competent' at the initial assessment , an opportunity for reassessment is to be offered at a time and place mutually agreeable to both the candidate and assessor. As a general rule, a candidate may be offered the opportunity for a maximum of 2 attempts within a twelve month period, with allowance for special circumstances at the discretion of the assessor. 6. Some candidates may have special needs or other barriers to learning. Special needs of candidates may include physical or intellectual impairments, educational barriers, literacy deficiency or language problems. The assessor is to make alternative arrangements for the assessment as required in such cases. Annual Report2001!2002 66 7. Results of each assessment must be recorded by the assessor, and retained at the District level and by the SEMC Secretariat. Information recorded should include: a. Units/elements of competency achieved. b. The evidence used to assess competence. c. Date of assessment/s, including reassessment attempts. d. Assessor and candidate names. e. Results of assessment, expressed as competent or not yet competent. f. Assessors comments and recommendation/s. g. Whether a candidate requests a review or appeal. 8. In the case of candidate grievances concerning any aspect of assessment and certification, the candidate can request a review or appeal. In such a case, the assessor is to discuss the situation directly with the candidate, and attempt to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Where a solution cannot be achieved, the matter is to be referred by the District level to the SEMC Secretariat for investigation and further action, and advice to the candidate and assessor. 9. The SEMC Secretariat will provide a general oversight and review of the assessment system, and may conduct random audits of assessment processes and records. I 0. Where Recognition of Prior Learning is requested by a candidate, the assessor is to require evidence from the candidate relating to previous training and experience, and make a judgement as to whether the training requirement is met. If so, the candidate can be assessed without further attendance at training. The following certification may be issued as appropriate: Certificate of Attendance. May be issued, at the discretion of the District Emergency Management Officer, to certifY attendance at any emergency management activity. Certificate of Completion. Issued by the SEMC Secretariat to certifY satisfactory completion of an SEMC endorsed training activity. Signed by District Emergency Management Officer/Assessor. Statement of Attainment. Issued by SEMC Secretariat to certifY successful completion of formal assessment in a unit or units of competency within the SEMC scope of registration as a Registered Training Organisation. Signed by Assessor. Annual Reporl2001 /2002 ANNEXD CODE OF PRACTICE- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING Preamble. 1. Under Section 15(2) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) is required to arrange emergency management training for individuals, including those employed in emergency services and functional areas, as well as assist in the selection and training of district and local government personnel. 2. In performing these functions, the SEMC is conscious of the need to develop quality emergency management training, and to maintain high standards in the delivery of this training throughout NSW. 3. This Code of Practice represents the commitment of the SEMC to meet these outcomes. Training Standards 4. Emergency management trammg is developed from a trammg needs analysis conducted in consultation with District Emergency Management Committees, District Emergency Management Officers (DEMOs), emergency services organisations and functional area co-ordinators. The needs analysis is aligned to National Emergency Management Competency Standards. 5. Training module learning outcomes and assessment criteria are designed under the oversight of a Training Advisory Group comprising representatives of the SEMC Secretariat, emergency services agencies, functional areas and District Emergency Management Committees. Individual modules are specifically aligned to the Competency Standards. 6. Training modules are packaged in a standard format, and supported by participant handout or workbook masters and overhead transparency or slide show programs to ensure a standard and consistent delivery throughout NSW. Some flexibility is built into the modules, as appropriate, to allow reflection on local hazards, problems and individual participants' roles in.emergency management. 7. Training and assessment is delivered under the direct superv1s1on of accredited trainers who have completed Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace· Training, and who are current emergency management practitioners of at least two (2) years expenence. 8. Courses are conducted in training venues which provide a comfortable environment, have adequate capacity for syndicate work, and are conducive to learning and participant success. Where necessary, training venues provide overnight accommodation and meals for participants. Annual Report 2001/2002 68 9. The ongoing monitoring and evaluation of emergency management trammg is conducted under the oversight of the SEMC Secretariat. In particular, course evaluation sheets are completed by participants and responses checked for adverse trends following each course. Course instructors are asked to report any problems with module delivery. All course modules are reviewed by the Training Advisory Group each twelve (12) months to ensure that accuracy and relevance of content are maintained. Marketing 10. Training is marketed to the emergency management industry by the SEMC Secretariat and Districts with integrity, accuracy and professionalism, and avoiding vague and ambiguous statements. In providing information to individuals, agencies and functional areas, no false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other training provider or course. Trainee Information 11. Course Information Sheets are developed for each course which accurately describe the course content and admission criteria, learning outcomes and the participant assessment process. They are provided to course participants as their nominations are accepted, and no later than two (2) weeks prior to the commencing date of a course for all nominations accepted at that time. 12. Information provided to participants includes: a. a copy of the SEMC Code of Practice- Emergency Management Training; b. course admission procedures and criteria; C. venue detail and accommodation I meal arrangements; d. pre-course reading or participant activity; e. course content and learning outcomes, and links with other courses; f. competencies to be fully or partially achieved by participants; g. participant assessment process; h. certification to be issued to participants on completion or partial completion of the course; 1. course material and equipment provided; l participant grievance I appeal procedure, and support services available. Participant Recruitment 13. Participant recruitment is conducted on an all-agency basis, in accordance with the admission criteria established for each course. Decisions regarding participant selection are made on an equal opportunity basis and, provided that admission criteria are met, there are no barriers to course entry. Annual Report2001/2002 69 14. Whenever an applicant is unable to be allocated a vacancy on a course, the applicant is advised of the reason for non-selection and, where appropriate, invited to reapply for a future course. Course Fees 15. For all emergency management courses funded by the SEMC, the cost of the course venue, participant accommodation and meals, and course materials is borne by the SEMC Secretariat. No course fees are payable by participants. Participant Grievances I Appeals 16. In the case of participant grievances concerning course admission and/or assessment and certification, the District conducting the course discusses the situation directly with the participant and attempts to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Where a solution cannot be achieved, the matter is referred by the District to the SEMC Secretariat for investigation and further action, and advice to the participant.