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AIES is pleased to announce the following emergency service people became members of the Institute between March and May 2013.
Name Organisation State Harold Colvin ARC TAS S Ross Phillips RFS NSW Kieran Deale Police NSW
EW Timothy Holland CFA VIC Anthony Macvean RFS NSW
N Donald Garlick Health Service VIC
S Matthew Pinder SES QLD Stephen Monsiegneur Health Service QLD Charles Vesely ADF (ARMY) VIC
AI E Denise McInnes Health Service VIC Ricky Ross Police VIC Lisette Reinke SES SA Philip Ohman SES ACT Martin Boyle Aust Antarctic Div TAS
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Editor’s REPORT KristiHigh
elcome to the Winter Disaster and Emergency Management our preparedness and responsiveness 2013 edition of National conference, Earth, Fire and Rain again for the future. WEmergency Response. this year, with many members attending We plan to feature more papers from While the weather may be cooling the event held in Brisbane in May. the conference in the coming issues down, issues continue to run hot at We are pleased to publish two papers and are grateful to the conference the AIES. presented at the conference. Thank presenters who contribute their work so In this edition we celebrate National you to Jane Shakespeare-Finch and that our members who can’t attend the Volunteer Week. Held in May, this Amanda Gearing for generously sharing conference can share in the learnings. recognition of volunteers is important your work. Both papers investigate Remember NER is your journal as Australians stop to say ‘thank different aspects and outcomes from and an important channel available you’ to the 6 million Australians the devastating floods in Queensland to you for sharing your stories with who volunteer their time each year, in 2011. an ever-widening audience within the contributing more than 700 million AIES President Alan Marshall reminds Emergency Services community. Please hours of unpaid work. us in his report that Australia is a country continue to contribute your articles or let The AIES was proud to support prone to natural disasters. Through us know about the types of issues you’d the Australian and New Zealand research such as this we can improve like to read about. l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 3 from the president’s desk P
AlanMarshall, LFAIES R E National President SI
STRATEGY FOR DISASTERS The National Strategy for Disaster DE The National Emergency Management Resilience material, released through
Committee for Australia developed the the National Emergency Management NT National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, Committee for Australia, is a base which was released in February 2011. to capture the history, the lessons ’
The purpose of the strategy is to learnt, the continual improvement S
provide high-level guidance on disaster and to communicate with all sectors, r ep management to federal, state, territory so that we pass on and record the and local governments, business and information in a high level structured community leaders and to not-for- and managed approach, that is profit sectors. The strategy is a long- accountable. This material provides ort term, evolving process of delivering an approach to manage a serious sustained behavioural change and disruption to community life, the enduring partnerships. In emergency result of which threatens or causes management terms, resilience is a trait death or injury in that community and/ that can be observed following, and in or damage to property that is beyond response to, a substantial change in the day-to-day capacity of the prescribed (and future professionals) the circumstances. This public document statutory authorities. The public released opportunity to examine the expertise, and its passage through to government documents are at: www.em.gov.au/ competencies and systems relating to legislation, sets out to manage Publications/Program the preparedness for future disasters, through a high level of community emergencies and hazards and the trust and cooperation, the focus on FUTURE DISASTERS abilities to recover from them quickly a whole-of-nation resilience-based Australia is a country prone to natural and efficiently. The conference was approach to disaster management. disasters and we need to learn from a joint initiative of three not-for- Australians expect their governments experience and prepare ourselves for profit organisations, the Australian at all levels to do their best to ensure times of emergency. Institute of Emergency Services, that their communities are as well Future disasters also include the Australian and New Zealand protected from emergencies as is terrorism which remains a major Mental Health Organisation Inc and reasonably possible. The process is security challenge for Australia. In the Association for Sustainability in working together, exercising plans, recent years, a number of plots have Business Inc. sharing information and training, been uncovered by the coordinated The various conferences through May networking and feedback through efforts of Australia’s security and law to July held in Brisbane, Melbourne continual improvement. enforcement agencies, as well as our and in Adelaide, are all based on the The seminar ‘Resilience Conference’ international partners. Terrorists and National Emergency approach and supported by the Australian Institute their methods are constantly evolving. they provide additional information of Emergency Services (AIES) to Australia must be flexible and adaptable along with hands on reports to manage be held in Adelaide on 18–19 July to change in the global environment future disasters. 2013 will focus on the adoption of for all future disasters. Apply the ’All building community and organisational Hazards’ all agencies community shared JOURNAL CONTRIBUTION resilience. The Australian spirit is never approach, to make the protection of AWARD more alive than when we rally together life inclusive. Keeping to the theme of our journal, to help each other in times of crisis Information in planning for the each year the General Council awards and disaster. Are you in a more safe future, the AIES has also supported the the contribution of a published article and sustainable community? What conference in Brisbane on 29-31 May in the National Emergency Response. happens when the prescribed response 2013 titled, Earth: Fire & Rain. This is I encourage you all to continue the authority can’t cope? the second year that your Institute has delivery of your excellent articles to Governments will change, and their supported this conference in Brisbane. your magazine. support shifts with economic times. This year the conference examined On behalf of the General Council of Emergency management structures are what we learnt in the past few years the Australian Institute of Emergency streamlined and sometimes merge to and it provided a comprehensive Services I thank you all for your meet the ever-rising costs. ‘Every time forum that shone the light on support, stay safe, healthy and history repeats itself the price goes up’. resilience and it offered professionals continue your networking. l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 4 Postcard from Hiroshima Australian Red Cross has been working over several years through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to win support for a legally binding international agreement to ensure nuclear weapons are never used again and are ultimately eliminated. inion Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner reports from a historic Red Cross Red Crescent o p meeting in Hiroshima in May 2013.
RobertTickner CEO, Australian Red Cross
his postcard is to let you know Commission of the Movement. Bringing the historic about this amazing and uplifting The meeting is convened by the resolution to life T meeting of the International Red International Committee of the Red The purpose of the meeting is to Cross and Red Crescent Movement Cross (ICRC) and a small number of develop a plan of action to give which is currently happening in this national societies including Australia, but effect to the historic resolution of the iconic and deeply moving Japanese city. attended by a wide ranging and diverse International Red Cross Movement I am here with Australian Red group of Red Cross and Red Crescent which was passed in 2011 at the Cross President Michael Legge, Dr Societies - ranging from American Red Council of Delegates which called Helen Durham and board member Cross, Azerbaijan and Malaysian Red on the governments of the world to John MacLennan. Also here is Greg Crescent Societies, Norwegian and ‘pursue in good faith and conclude Vickery who as you know is the former Swedish Red Cross to Megan David with some urgency and determination President of Australian Red Cross Adom from Israel, Jamaican Red Cross negotiations to prohibit the use of who now heads up the Standing and German Red Cross as examples. and completely eliminate nuclear weapons through a legally binding international agreement, based on existing commitments and international obligations.’ We will also be preparing a draft follow up resolution for the Council of Delegates to be held in Sydney later this year. The 2011 resolution only happened because Australian Red Cross worked with key other national societies such as Norwegian and Japanese Red Cross and the ICRC to win support for the critical further intervention of Red Cross in this significant humanitarian concern of the people of the world. The decision taken in 2011 has had a huge influence in the global debate on nuclear weapons where progress by governments has sadly been painfully slow. We are pleased that in Australia there has been cross party Peace Park memorial Hiroshima. support for the resolution but we are
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 5 opinion
Board member John MacLennan, President Michael Legge, Dr Helen Durham and CEO Robert Tickner. watching the performance of all the were a blot on human history, but a visit He spoke movingly of the carnage major parties very closely to ensure to this peace park and museum often and of the ‘ghosts’ who managed to that they remain behind our work in transforms the lives of those who come survive a couple of kilometres away this area. here as it did mine and I am sure others from the blast who he saw walking Very significantly the decision in in our group. away as shells of people with skin and 2011 helped inspire 127 governments It is not a place of devastation now bones exposed and burnt horrifically. to come together in Oslo earlier which is testimony to the power of the They did not survive long of course. this year in what was the first ever human spirit and humanitarian ideals. Mr Matsushima also inspired us (yes the very first) conference Thousands of international visitors with his forgiveness and willingness of governments to discuss the come each day to see and to listen to work with the American people humanitarian consequences of nuclear to the stories of Hiroshima which are and all other people of good will in weapons. A further global meeting of told in the profound hope that there the world from all nations, religions governments will be convened by the will be no more Hiroshimas. In the and cultures to rid the world Government of Mexico early next year peace park thousands of beautiful of nuclear weapons. to take the issues further and we want Japanese school children also come One of our group said yesterday the Australian Government to come each day and mingle wonderfully that as Red Cross people it is not in solidly behind that meeting. with the international visitors and just enough that we have a love of their own people. It is truly a magical humanity which is all important but Visiting the epicentre place both of great sadness and that we also have to ensure that this of the bomb profoundly inspirational. love of humanity inspires us to have Yesterday was the first day of the We also heard from Mr Keijiro the courage to do something about it. meeting here in Hiroshima and we Matsushima, one of the survivors of And so it is with nuclear weapons started with a visit near to the site of Hiroshima, who was a 14 year old and the contribution which our the epicentre of the bomb which is now boy at the time of the bombing and Movement can make to the world if one of the most moving places on the described the first moments after the we have the courage to lead according planet. In my life’s work I have been to blast and the way in which an entire city to our principles and they are the very many places of great human tragedy of living breathing human beings was same principles which inspired Henri and where the humanitarian violations destroyed in the blink of an eye. Dunant in 1869 - namely that civilians
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 6
Robert Tickner - CEO, Australian Red Cross During his tenure, Robert has overseen historic reforms to modernise and harmonise the work of Australian Red Cross to increase the organisation’s capacity to work for vulnerable people. In 2012, Robert was seconded to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva to act as Under Secretary General inion for Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy. Robert is focused o p on building a collaborative and innovative organisation to increase the impact and effectiveness of Australian Red Cross in addressing disadvantage among the most vulnerable people. Prior to taking up his Red Cross appointment, Robert was the CEO of Job Futures Ltd, a large national network of community based employment service providers. Robert served as Federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Atomic bomb dome in Hiroshima. The only left building from 1945 bombing. Strait Islander Affairs from 1990- 1996 and is Australia’s longest should be protected from conflict and to “new energy, new impetus, serving Minister for Aboriginal and from violations of international law which new constituencies and new ideas”. Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Before threaten their lives. Ambassador Duarte is a veteran being elected to the Federal of disarmament negotiations and parliament, he was a lecturer at International recognition processes over many decades and it the Institute of Technology. He of the Movement’s work was wonderful to hear his backing for later served as Principal Solicitor Following our visit to the Peace Park the contribution of our work. to the NSW Aboriginal Legal the meeting opened with speeches Service. Between 1977 and 1984 from the President of the International From reflections to action he served as a Councillor on the Federation of Red Cross and Red The next session of the meeting Sydney City Council including Crescent Societies (IFRC) Mr Tadateru was chaired by Australian Red Cross’ a very brief period as Acting Konoé, the Mayor of Hiroshima Mr Dr Helen Durham who gave those Lord Mayor. Kazumi Matsui, former United Nations attending an opportunity to reflect Robert holds Bachelor of Laws, High Representative for Disarmament on the deeply moving visit to the Master of Laws (Hons) and Affairs Sergo Duarte and Chair of the museum and peace park which I have Bachelor of Economics degrees Standing Commission Greg Vickery. already referred to. There is always and has undertaken the first stage I was asked to chair the first session a risk with a session like this that of an Executive MBA. which looked at the global context of people could remain silent and not the current debate. Speakers were participate or become sentimental or Mr Duarte and also Peter Herby who self indulgent but the session was none in Sydney in November. We need to had represented the ICRC on arms of this. Helen got people to soulfully develop to truly motivate and inspire related negotiations since 1994 and reflect on the day and the contributions the people of the world to convince has recently taken up a position in of people were deeply authentic governments to support an international Norwegian Red Cross. and moving. agreement to eliminate and render the It was quite remarkable to hear the It bonded the group and gave us use of nuclear weapons illegal under Ambassador so strongly welcome the the common purpose we need to international law. Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement take us forward today to work on This article has been reprinted with the engagement with the nuclear weapons the Plan of Action as well as a draft permission of Australian Red Cross and issue which he said had contributed resolution for the Council of Delegates first appeared at www.redcross.org.au l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 7
future of PNG and its people,” Police world ranking beyond 2014. Minister Jack Dempsey said. SLSA Acting CEO Greg Nance In Brief Queensland police officers and was pleased with the funding result the QPS have a long association and but acknowledges the significant New opportunities to serve history with the RPNGC dating back challenge ahead of the Australian for Queensland Police to 1911. Lifesaving Team to achieve the key objectives. Operation Orange Newly appointed head coach, Danny Short said, “There is no doubt New Zealand are raging hot favourites to retain their title in 2014. However, the one thing I can guarantee is that Australia will be April saw orange clad people running there with renewed passion and around Sydney’s CBD competing in determination to perform to a level the New South Wales State Emergency we know we can.” Service’s Operation Orange: Checkpoint Challenge race. Paramedics win the right The race was designed to provide to choose NSW SES volunteers with an opportunity to practice their current skills and learn new ones such as Queensland police will have the first aid, rescue and navigation, opportunity to serve in Papua New in a fun environment that promotes Health Minister Jillian Skinner has Guinea under an agreement between team camaraderie and builds welcomed NSW Industrial Relations the country’s Prime Minister Peter team morale. Commission (IRC) decision to O’Neill and Premier Campbell Newman. The race is also an opportunity for allow the Emergency Medical Mr Newman announced that up members of the public to learn a little Services Protection Association to 150 Queensland Police Officers more about NSW SES and to witness (EMSPA) to register as a union will volunteer help to improve the training exercises. representing paramedics. policing operations and protocols EMSPA launched its bid for in the Royal Papua New Guinea Re-launching high registration in the IRC after many Constabulary (RPNGC). performance paramedics expressed a desire “The PNG Government wants to for an alternative to the Health greatly increase its police service’s Services Union. ability to tackle crime as well as “It was the Coalition that introduced ensuring officers have the skills to the legislation which enabled manage a modern and evolving paramedics and junior doctors the service,” Mr Newman said. right to choose the organisation that “The Queensland Police Service represents them,” Mrs Skinner said. (QPS) is already world renowned for “I have worked with the paramedics its training and mentoring capabilities who founded EMSPA since the early and it will be a great opportunity to days and I congratulate them on share this knowledge with our closest their achievement. international neighbour. “These paramedics fought for the “As part of the agreement PNG will Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) right to be able to choose and I am exchange up to 150 of its officers with were successful in gaining funding pleased for them that this day has the QPS,” Mr Newman said. to proceed with a new High come,” she said. “Each of these officers will assist our Performance program based on a key The Ambulance Service of NSW neighbour to establish and bed down objective of winning back the 2014 said once the process of registration world-class policing practices, and World Lifesaving Championships as a union was finalised, EMSPA they’ll come away knowing they have and building world championship would be afforded the same access made a real difference to the long-term depth to maintain a number one as other unions.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 8
Social networks disseminate emergency information during disasters. y e stor atur e F
Harnessing The power of real and virtual social networks during disasters AmandaGearing MA Research (QUT) and Investigative Journalist
Journalist and PhD student at Queensland University of Technology, Amanda Gearing, conducted an in-depth analysis of the use of social media during the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods in Queensland in January 2011. Her paper was presented at the Australia and New Zealand Disaster and Emergency Management conference, Earth: Fire and Rain, in Brisbane in May 2013. In a two part series her insightful paper is republished. Part two appearing in the next issue of National Emergency Response.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 9
Abstract and emergency information directly to only two opposing perspectives The mass media and emergency their audiences; how individuals and are presented. services organisations routinely gather organisations used social networking Whilst most bloggers are focussed information and disseminate it to the sites to co-ordinate emergency on micro-local events, if the events public. During disaster situations both supplies of food, clothing and other that happen are of state, national the media and emergency services assistance and how individuals and or global significance, news blogs F
require acute situational awareness. families created ‘tribute pages’ on social can quickly attain a global audience. e New social media technologies offer networking sites in memory of those Early examples of global news blogs atur opportunities to enhance situational who died. include the attack on the World Trade awareness by crowd-sourcing Centre in New York on 11 September information using real and virtual One-way to 2001; the wars in Afghanistan and social networks. This paper documents two‑way news Iraq; the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami in how real and virtual social networks Until the advent of the printing press, Sumatra and the London bombings e stor were used by a reporter and by news and information primarily in July 2005, (Bruns 2006). By 2009, members of the public to gather and spread via word of mouth. Invention it was common for first reports of disseminate emergency information of the printing press led to the disasters to come not from traditional during the flash flood disaster in organised dissemination of news via media outlets but from local residents Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley traditional newspapers, radio and using online social networks such as in January 2011 and in the days and television media that, according to Twitter (Shirky 2009). The technical y weeks after the disaster. Dennis McQuail, (2000, 55) were development in recent years of ‘largely one-directional, impersonal adding a video camera function Introduction one-to-many carriers of news and to mobile phones has enabled At times of natural disaster, power information.’ The mass media continued members of the public on the scene supplies, telephone lines and mobile a similar mode of communication of unexpected events to video the telephone networks are often until relatively recent history, events as they happen and upload disrupted. Journalists who need to when the advent of the computer them almost immediately to the quickly gather accurate information age, mobile phones and online internet. Onlookers with mobile phones may not have access to their usual social networking technologies have become eye-witness recorders fax or email feeds from emergency have facilitated an increase in the of events ranging from the personally services and welfare organisations. amount of news that travels by word significant to the globally significant The advent of Facebook, Twitter, online forums and other social media offers reporters access to information, ‘socially-networked people in disaster zones may photographs and videos which can be tracked back to source for verification. prove to be more reliable sources than official This paper recounts how the social emergency services agencies’ media were used in the reporting of the deadly flash flooding which engulfed the city of Toowoomba and of mouth, multi-directionally and (Bita and Gearing 2011). During the seven rural communities to the person‑to-person. flood disaster, the relay of information east of the city on the afternoon During major disasters, residents from the media to the public and vice of 11 January 2011. The disaster are sometimes the only people who versa became a dynamic system, with struck without any official warning to witness events or are in a position audiences turning to the media for either the emergency services or the to be able to record live pictures emergency information and the media public (Gearing and Thomas 2011; of the event as it occurs. Bowman appealing to audiences for eye-witness McKenna and Gearing 2011; Owens, and Willis (2003, 47) noted that information, photographs and video Bita and Gearing 2011; Gearing the dynamics of emerging news footage which was then broadcast to 2011h, 2011e, 2011b). technologies mean that for the first the public. Further, this paper explores how time in history, members of the citizen reporters used social media public can now publish words and Social media warnings to convey warnings and emergency pictures online more immediately The only accurate, but unofficial warning, information; how reporters used than traditional outlets can gather of the January 2011 inland tsunami was social media to report the event and and disseminate news and images. given by a sonographer and amateur generate and follow news leads; how When many people record the weather watcher, Neil Pennell. He individuals used social media as an same event, ‘multiperspectival noticed on the Bureau of Meteorology emergency communication system news’ emerges (Gans 2003, 103). weather radar that a very large storm to find out if family members or Facts are presented from a wide was brewing and watched as two friends had survived; how emergency range of perspectives, in contrast large cells within the large cloud mass services organisations used social to the traditional reporting of ‘both merged to form a super-storm (Gearing networking sites to deliver news sides of the story’ where commonly 2011g). Mr Pennell realised people on
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 10
the ground who looked up would see amount of flooding near the top of Many people used social networking cloud but would have no warning of Mount Lofty that I observed from my as an emergency communication the danger of the intense storm within house. I posted a video with a voice- system to find out if family members or the larger cloud mass. He navigated to over to my Facebook page warning that friends had survived; citizen reporters the Bureau of Meteorology’s warning Brisbane could be at risk of flooding in the first locations affected by the page to check that suitable warnings in coming days. My citizen journalism disaster used social networking to were being issued. They were not. He report was the first warning that many convey warnings and emergency y checked back several times and saw, people had of the onset of the disaster information to family and friends with rising anxiety, that there was still in Toowoomba and was many hours further downstream and to report no effective warning being issued to earlier than specific warnings issued the event; reporters and media the public. He accurately pinpointed the by authorities. organisations used social networking location of deadly impact in Grantham From the watershed in Toowoomba, sites to report the event and generate and considered phoning the local police. floodwaters from the city flowed west. and follow news leads; emergency e stor He lifted the phone to dial Helidon, Floodwaters from the escarpment and services organisations used social the town upstream from Grantham the Lockyer Valley flowed to the east networking sites to deliver news – realised the police would think him towards Brisbane. The Toowoomba and emergency information directly crazy – and replaced the receiver. flood caused a spike in Twitter traffic to their audiences (Charlton 2011;
atur Knowing the large volume of rainfall as residents alerted others to the Gearing 2012i). After the disaster,
e in the Lockyer Valley over previous impending floods in the city of individuals and organisations used
F weeks, he realised the catchment was Ipswich and the state capital of social networking sites to co-ordinate saturated and that the high rain rate Brisbane. Axel Bruns and his emergency supplies of food, clothing being recorded by the Bureau could colleagues found a spike of Twitter and other assistance; and individuals generate a large amount of almost traffic of more than 600 tweets on the and families created ‘tribute pages’ immediate run-off with the potential hash tag ‘qldfloods’ on the evening on social networking sites in memory for dangerous flash flooding (Pennell of 10 January in response to the of those who died (Gearing 2012i). 2011a). In an online forum discussion Toowoomba CBD flooding (Bruns et he questioned a meteorologist on the al. 2011). Tweets on the qldflood Emergency forum, asking how to warn people hash tag increased in frequency over communications: of what he foresaw and feared: the following day as the flood Are you ok? Dave, I live in an area that is equally approached Brisbane peaking at Hundreds of people were unable to not used to being so saturated . . . . I 1,100 tweets per hour, as seen contact family members in the disaster just know that 56mm in an hour here in Figure 1. zone because phone lines and power would produce a flood of frightening proportions and one likely to put lives at risk. Falls higher than this in the immediate area are likely. I repeat my question … Does someone in . . . Grantham . . . need to know what’s possible? Who do we tell? (Pennell 2011b) Other members of WeatherZone also provided site-specific warnings to other Lockyer Valley communities. Strikingly accurate flash flood warnings for specific towns in the Lockyer Valley were given via the weather forum more than three hours earlier than the official Bureau of Meteorology warnings were issued for those locations (Gearing 2011g). The disaster was unfolding faster than authorities could provide adequate warnings. One implication Figure 1. #qldfloods tweets per hour, supplies had failed. They used mobile for journalists covering disasters January 10-16, 2011 (Bruns et al. 2011, 23). phones to access Facebook to try in future is that socially networked to get information from the disaster people in disaster zones may prove to Online social media zone to find out if their families be more reliable sources than official Online social media played vital roles and friends were alive. Hundreds of emergency services agencies which during the Toowoomba and Lockyer people were not contactable. Most lack current situational awareness. Valley floods for individuals, citizen of them were alive and safe but had As a citizen reporter, I posted warnings reporters, journalists, media outlets no communications until services based on the intensity of rain and the and emergency services organisations. were restored up to eight days later.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 11
For those who perished, it would be several weeks until their bodies were found. Three bodies were never found. (Gearing 2011c, 2011d) Increasingly media organisations use social The rural township of Murphys Creek networking during disasters. in the foothills of the Great Dividing Feature story Feature Range had never had mobile phone The reception. Once the landline network benefit was destroyed by the flash flooding the for readers only way to communicate was via social of receiving media. Intense two-way communication information from between flood survivors and their news bloggers is that families and friends outside the disaster the bloggers are directly engaged in the news events, or at least have first- ‘Online social media played vital roles during hand information. On 10 January the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods for 2011, residents in the disaster zone posted photographs of the flood individuals, citizen reporters, journalists, media outlets on social networking sites. One of these, Jiaren Lau (2011), created a and emergency services organisations.’ news blog with photographs and very detailed text about his experience of the zone was recorded on community Citizen reporters disaster. While he was not a journalist, Facebook pages. ‘Toowoomba and Dan Gillmor describes how audiences, his report demonstrated his in-depth Darling Downs Flood Photos and who were once passive consumers of knowledge of the city of Toowoomba Info’ was set up on 10 January to news produced by reporters, are now and its geography at the top of a help locate a missing person. By the producing news themselves using new mountain range, and included text about next day the page had 37,000 Likes media platforms. Journalism has made his experience of the event and the and continues to offer emergency the transition from ‘journalism as lecture’ photographs that he had taken. information (Birch 2011). A second to ‘journalism as conversation’ (Gillmor Media organisations and emergency Facebook page ‘QLD Floods - Withcott, 2004, xxiv; Hermida 2010). The three services are increasingly using social Murphy’s Creek, Postman’s Ridge distinct groups – journalists, newsmakers networking technologies in addition - Community Support’ was created and audience, as described by (Hermida to television and radio, to provide on 13 January 2011, to help co- 2010, 237) – became blurred during this information to citizens during disasters ordinate a community‑based disaster because some audience members (Nicholls 2012, 46). At the outset of recovery effort. People outside the volunteered themselves as newsmakers. this disaster, media organisations began disaster zone used the page to Several Toowoomba residents who crowd-sourcing information. I tuned in to communicate with people inside witnessed the flood in the CBD took video Toowoomba’s ABC radio station which by the disaster zone who had no footage which they uploaded to YouTube then was taken off networked programs communication. For example, on or sent to other people to warn them from Brisbane and began broadcasting 11 January, Fiona posted to the about the flood. In some cases, emergency live by putting to air callers who phoned Facebook page that she was ‘trying to workers were alerted to the disaster in with eye witness accounts of the find information about Ken Smith of by people in Toowoomba before they disaster as pedestrians and cars were Twidales Rd, Helidon Spa. If anyone were alerted by the emergency services being swept from the streets. The has heard if Ken is ok could you for which they worked (Tate 2011). callers were able to name the flooded please let me know, my uncle Len Veteran reporter and digital journalism roads to warn other motorists and give from Canada is concerned’. The researcher Alfred Hermida has observed the locations of landslides that had cut reply came six hours later: ‘Thanks (2010, para 11) that there has been highways. Television news reporters everyone Ken called my parents this a shift in the relationship between browsed YouTube for videos of the floods morning. Cheers’. journalists and the public: that were being uploaded and used the The traditional role of police to The shift from an era of broadcast vision to compile footage for their news locate missing people and confirming mass media to an era of networked bulletins. Road closures meant news their safety was quickly replaced by digital media has fundamentally altered crews could not access Toowoomba or social media networking amongst flows of information. Non-linear, the Lockyer Valley by road. the community. Similarly, journalists many-to-many digital communication Read part two in the next edition linked into the social networks were technologies have transferred the of NER. If you can’t wait until the able to source information and means of media production and next issue, the complete paper and make contact with families who dissemination into the hands of the references can be downloaded from the were searching for missing people public, and are rewriting the relationship Earth: Fire and Rain conference’s book (Gearing and Thomas 2011). between the audience and journalists. of proceedings at anzdmc.com.au l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 12 Millions to Thank ustralian volunteers are essential to our society and many Australian emergency y A NSW SES services simply could not exist without them. National Volunteer David King, NSW SES, and family. Week, celebrated across Australia from 13–19 May 2013, recognised and paid tribute to the more than six million Australians who donate their time e stor and skills each year. National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest celebration of volunteers and this year’s theme was
atur ‘thanks a million’. A perfect sentiment,
e given the millions of volunteers in
F Australia contributing more than 700 million hours of unpaid work to their NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Commissioner Murray Kear says local communities. National Volunteer Week is a time to say thank you for the commitment and Emergency services volunteers effort of NSW SES volunteers. certainly contribute significantly to those “Whether it be saving the lives of a person stuck in flood water, chain national numbers and many held their sawing through a large tree which has fallen on someone’s home or own celebrations in May to say ‘thanks rescuing a victim of a road crash, these are some of the reasons why we a million’. want to say ‘thanks a million’ to the amazing volunteers of the NSW SES,” Here we recognise just two of the said Mr Kear. organisations, their members and The NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit Deputy Controller, Dave King is one such employers who give of themselves to volunteer whose passion for volunteering for the NSW SES started way back in help others in times of need. 1977 when he joined the Service as a 16 year old. Dave not only loves to volunteer but his passion is to teach and mentor new recruits to the Service and to pass on his many David King, NSW SES. years of expertise and experience. He has even managed to recruit his whole family including his wife and two daughters. “Being a part of the NSW SES is certainly a family affair in the King household. My wife and two daughters have all joined the NSW SES Hawkesbury Unit. You could say my daughters were born into the NSW SES. They grew up listening to our many stories and debriefs of SES stories around the kitchen table,” said Mr King. “Both my daughters are Emergency Department nurses who deal with a lot of trauma cases so the skills they have acquired volunteering for the NSW SES complement their chosen career path. “I love that I’m passing on a legacy of my skills, knowledge and expertise onto the next generation of Kings,” Mr King said.
This article has been reprinted with the permission of NSW SES and first appeared at www.ses.new.gov.au l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 13 Victoria CFA When the north-east of Victoria is affected by fire, flood or other natural disasters, Peter Leach is a man F
in demand. e As a highly-trained member of atur Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) aircraft unit and one of the region’s Air Observers, he can be called on at any moment to manage the logistics
behind a fire bombing operation or e stor go up in a plane or chopper to gather critical aerial data. And as a senior volunteer with Wangaratta Fire Brigade he might find himself out on the back of a truck or
in the Incident Control Centre during y major incidents. Fellow CFA volunteer and Peter Leach’s Aircraft Unit colleague, Ian Lyons. But this balancing act is only made possible by the support and Ian Lyons (also a member of arrangement that’s good for of Australian Munitions, and its the Aircraft Unit), they know how everyone,” he said. parent company Thales Australia, important we are in filling specialised Peter’s role as an Air Observer where Peter works as a Fire and roles where there are limited involves going up in the air to survey Emergency Systems Coordinator. personnel available. areas affected by fire or flood, Thales employs around 40 CFA “CFA has invested a lot in my relaying information to ground crews. volunteers at sites in Benalla training – I’m well aware that it’s no He played a major role during the and Mulwala, just over the NSW use doing that for someone who is 2012 floods and even assisted with border from Yarrawonga. not available, so your employer has plotting the recent tornado that Support of volunteers is a core to be party to that. travelled all the way from Cobram part of the multinational company’s There are also benefits for the to Bundalong. ‘good neighbour’ philosophy, company, which as a Major Hazard Aircraft Officers coordinate not only in Victoria but interstate facility maintains its own Emergency logistics behind operations involving and internationally. The company Response Team, having employees aircraft such as firebombing in Australia actively supports its with broader CFA training is a or reconnaissance. volunteers both informally and real bonus. Thales in Australia is part of a formally, with official policies “Next week I’ll be on a course at leading international electronics and clearly recognising their contribution Fiskville – the Certificate IV in Training systems group serving the defence, to local communities across and Assessment – and that will give aerospace and space, security, and the country. me the kind of skills I can take back transport markets in Australia and Peter realises the importance of to my job. throughout the world. his employer’s willingness to release “Thales has its own Emergency Thales Australia is a trusted partner volunteers for operational duties. Response Team training facility of the Australian Defence Force and “It’s very important – critical,” which includes things like breathing is also present in commercial sectors he said. apparatus tunnels that have been ranging from air traffic management to “Firefighters can be away for utilised by CFA and SES. security systems and services. extended periods if they are “In the past specialist deployed on a strike team… equipment belonging to the This article, by Sonia Maclean, and we can only do this with the company has been taken out to has been reprinted with the support of our employer. incidents in the community. So permission of CFA Victoria and first “Especially for people like myself I’d say it’s a really strong mutual appeared at www.cfa.vic.gov.au l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 14 y e stor atur e F
Social support promotes psychological well-being following a natural disaster
Associate Professor Jane Shakespeare-Finch and Ms Julie Green School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology Brisbane in 2011 floods.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 15 Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, Jane Shakespeare-Finch, presented her research findings of the relationship between giving and receiving social support during and after a natural disaster at the Australia and New Zealand Disaster and Emergency F
Management conference, Earth: Fire and Rain, in Brisbane in May 2013. e The following is an extract from the presented paper. The complete atur paper and references can be downloaded from the Earth: Fire and Rain conference’s book of proceedings at anzdmc.com.au e stor ABSTRACT Introduction Although social support variables Receiving emotional support has Although crises can introduce stressors accounted for significant proportions consistently been demonstrated as that challenge well-being, not all people of variability overall and in each factor an important factor associated with incur negative long-term psychological of PWB, only receiving and giving mental health but sparse research has consequences. Following an initial decline in emotional support shared a significant investigated giving support in addition their sense of well-being, the vast majority positive relationship with well-being. y to receiving it or the types of support of people are resilient to the deleterious However, for approximately half of the that predict well-being. In this paper effects of stress, maintaining or returning time, instrumental and emotional support the relationship between giving and to pre-event levels of functioning (Bonanno, were given and received simultaneously. receiving instrumental and emotional et al., 2011). One important protective Conceptually, this suggests that whilst social support and psychological well- factor strongly linked to well-being is social instrumental support (e.g., sandbagging and being during and following a natural support (e.g., Brown et al., 2003; Liang cleaning up) was not uniquely predictive of disaster is investigated. A survey et al., 2001). Among the myriad of stressors well-being, it was an important social context administered between four and six faced by individuals, natural disasters that served as a vessel through which months after fatal floods was conducted represent a unique category of crisis that emotional support was given and received. with 200 community members can elicit social support in unusually large Indeed, instrumental support received consisting of men (n = 68) and women proportions due to the impact such events from non-professionals can be interpreted (n = 132) aged between 17 and 87 have on whole communities (Tyler, 2006). as emotionally supportive due to the care years. Social support experiences were In January 2011, a catastrophic flooding and regard communicated (Semmer, et assessed using the 2-Way Social Support crisis impacted vast areas of Queensland, al., 2008). As previously found (Brown, Scale (2-Way SSS; Shakespeare-Finch Australia, devastating many communities et al., 2003; Liang, et al., 2001), it was and Obst, 2011) and eudemonic and generating massive outpourings of the compassion and kindness embodied well-being was measured using the social support. While these events were in supportive actions that predicted an Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS; extreme, natural disasters are common improved sense of well-being. Moderate Ryff and Keyes, 1995). Hierarchical in Australia. Thus, examining the impact correlations between receiving and giving multiple regression analyses were used that social support had on the well-being help suggest that some individuals also to examine expected relationships and of both givers and receivers of that gave emotional support almost a third to explore the differential effects of the support may inform future personal and of the time. Receiving emotional support four factors of the 2-Way SSS. Results community level decisions regarding from others may have activated a norm of indicated that social support shared potential health benefits and risks of reciprocity, inducing the desire to reciprocate significant positive associations with different supportive responses. (Liang, et al., 2001). As the second strongest domains of psychological well-being, predictor of well-being, giving emotional especially with regards to interpersonal Discussion support likely contributed to further relationships. Receiving and giving Results support the prediction that social increases in well-being, corresponding to emotional support were respectively support would be associated with higher the benefits of giving support associated the strongest unique predictors of rates of Psychological Well-Being Scale with volunteering (Meier and Stutzer, psychological well-being. However, (PWB). This was the case for all domains 2008; Mellor, et al., 2008; Mellor, et al., receiving instrumental support predicted of PWB except autonomy, where mixed 2009; Piliavin and Siegl, 2007). less autonomy. Results highlight the support was obtained; emotional Salutogenic theory conceptualises floods importance of measuring social support support predicted better autonomy, but as one of many potential stressors and as a multidimensional construct receiving instrumental support predicted social support as a generalised resistance and affirm that disaster response reduced reports of autonomy. Findings resource (Antonovsky, 1987). Social policy and practice should focus on provide preliminary indications that support’s substantive positive relationship emotional as well as instrumental in the context of this natural disaster, with well-being during and following the needs in order to promote individual giving and receiving emotional support floods supports this theoretical proposition. and community psychosocial health uniquely predicted improved well-being The results also emphasise that in a disaster following a flooding crisis. whereas instrumental support did not. response context where social support is
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 16
responsive and reciprocated, emotional Tyler, 2006). Self-acceptance was the only increases in well-being. Further, the statistical aspects seem to be a crucial ingredient other form of well-being that bi-directional relationship between social support and for psychological wellness although often emotional support uniquely predicted. autonomy was unlike other domains of packaged as tangible aid. This form of For example, participants agreed that the well-being, highlighting the distinctiveness coping can be bi-directional, with both support they received and gave contributed of this construct in the present sample. This receiving and giving adding to an individual’s towards feeling “confident and positive result may support prior caveats regarding sense of coherence. The rates of reciprocity about myself.” This mirrors longitudinal inter- and intra-cultural variations in y found in this study are comparable to those evidence for a causal link between receiving salience of different components of of non-disaster community contexts (Liang, emotional support and higher levels of well-being (Campion and Nurse, 2007), et al., 2001; Piferi and Lawler, 2006). Thus, self-esteem (Kinnunen, et al., 2008). and the cross-cultural applicability of past uni-directional social support research In order, social support was associated autonomy (Gallagher, et al., 2009). may have missed the health benefits of with increased personal growth, When compared with studies that bi-directional support. environmental mastery, purpose in life, consider social support’s effect on physical e stor Emotional support’s capacity to predict and autonomy. The overlap of the four health, this study’s outcomes are both well-being is consistent with past studies factors of social support accounted for similar and different. Greater longevity and of adolescents receiving emotional support more variance in these domains of physical functioning has been predicted in in religious contexts and adults who gave well-being than they did uniquely, with volunteers (Musick, et al., 1999) and older
atur and received emotional support (Schwartz, the exception of autonomy. Thus, while adults (Brown, et al., 2003; Hays, et al.,
e et al., 2009; Schwartz, et al., 2003). For receiving emotional support was the only 1997) who gave support, but during the
F adults, the relative importance of each unique predictor of these constructions of floods both receiving and giving emotional was reversed when compared with this well-being during the floods, it cannot be support best predicted PWB. Thus, the study; giving emotional support was more extricated from the distinctive instrumental- benefits of giving emotional support, predictive of mental health. This highlights emotional context in which social support but not instrumental, appear to share the importance of context, as unlike the was exchanged. Participant reports suggest commonalities with measures of physical religious community sample, participants that social support experiences during the and psychological wellness. Where in the present study shared a distinct floods afforded opportunities for personal receiving instrumental support predicted crisis. The greater importance of receiving growth. During disaster response and increased mortality and poorer physical emotional support may be due to more recovery efforts, assistance was exchanged functioning, this form of support was also participants receiving than giving support between strangers, family and friends. It is linked with perceptions of lower autonomy and the stress of the floods. It should be plausible that people’s social worldviews during the floods. Feelings of dependence noted that neither aforementioned studies were challenged by these unique and (Liang, et al., 2001; Lu and Argyle, 1992) assessed receiving instrumental support. emotionally intense social exchanges, and a reduced sense of autonomy may This study has provided useful adding to participants’ sense of personal lead to learned helplessness (Hays, et information regarding the specific constructs growth. Receiving emotional support also al., 1997). Floods specifically have been theoretically proposed to compose PWB uniquely predicted people’s perceptions of shown to elicit feelings of helplessness and their relationships with social support. being able to manage the environmental due to their inevitability (Nesbitt, 2010) Given both the floods and this study were challenges associated with the floods and which may eventually indirectly impact framed by the health promoting properties enhanced purpose in life. This pattern of physical well-being via the direct effect of social support, it is not surprising that results was not replicated in the relationship of PWB on human physiology (Ryff, et interpersonal well-being (i.e., positive between social support and autonomy. al., 2004). Combined with the positive relations with others) was most strongly Social support was weakest in predicting effect of emotional support on autonomy, connected with social support. This subscale autonomy which is a conceptually logical results indicated that being able to incorporates bi-directional social exchanges outcome. Akin to Western standards of exchange emotional support and not and focuses on the psycho-affective individualism (Ryff and Singer, 2008), just receive instrumental help may be benefits of interpersonal relationships. autonomy by definition is focused on the important to personal agency. For example, participants agreed that, in individual and their drive to act according This study’s holistic operationalisation the context of the floods, “people would to their own values and standards (Ryff, of social support and eudaimonic describe me as a giving person, willing to 1995). Social support adds others’ values perspective of well-being represents a share my time with others” and “I can trust and standards into the system in which unique contribution to the natural disaster my friends and they know that they can the autonomous individual is attempting to literature. Results demonstrate that trust me”. This bi-directionality of support assert his or her personal agency. While it extricating these four factors of support in affirms the conceptual validity that giving appears that receiving emotional support future research is essential. Further, this and receiving emotional support were facilitated perceptions of autonomy during study has demonstrated the relevance the strongest predictors of interpersonal the floods, the result was reversed for and utility of a eudaimonic measure of well-being, consistent with findings that receiving instrumental support. This could well-being in natural disaster contexts. receiving social support during a natural mean that receiving instrumental support Results and limitations of this research disaster facilitates perceptions of social undermined perceptions of personal suggest directions for future studies. The well-being, including enhanced community agency. However, this study’s correlational correlational design used prevents causal connectedness and valuing mutual support design cannot test the conceptual attributions from being tested (J. Cohen, et (Kaniasty, 2011; Norris and Kaniasty, 1996; proposition that social support preceded al., 2003). Consequently, although social
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 17 support was conceptualised as preceding and subsequently predicting PWB, longitudinal research supports reciprocal causality (Diener and Ryan, 2009; Piliavin and Siegl, 2007; Thoits and Hewitt, 2001); greater social support can lead to improved F
well-being, as can higher rates of well-being e promote healthy social connections and atur the desire to give. Longitudinal research including measures pre- and post-disaster would help to verify the direction of effects the results imply. Future research could also explore whether receiving instrumental e stor support was detrimental to individual’s sense of agency or whether individuals with higher pre-event levels of autonomy simply did not need this type of support. Most prominent in guiding future research is the necessity of measuring y social support using the two types and directions employed in this study. The significant predictive capacity contingent on the direction and type of support highlights the inclusion of a comprehensive measure of social support is vital. The 2-Way SSS (Shakespeare-Finch and Obst, 2011) is the first measure to address this need and its continued use would benefit future research. Given the exploratory nature of this study, replications in similar and different contexts are necessary. Due to the unique community cohesion and well coordinated support during the Brisbane ‘participants agreed that the support they received floods, the findings here may not apply to communities where the response to and gave contributed towards feeling “confident natural disasters is less effective, as was the and positive about myself.”’ case when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005 (Kulkarni, et al., 2008). Replications in natural disaster contexts In Brisbane, state and local government Whilst instrumental support addressed the where support is less forthcoming will and community groups coordinated material damage wrought by the floods, it illuminate whether emotional support is community volunteer efforts to maximise was the care and regard conveyed in these as strongly predictive of well-being in the the provision of instrumental social actions that was most psychologically absence of adequate instrumental support. support in preparation for and after the beneficial. Not only were receivers of The practical implications of this floods. Results suggest these community emotional support benefited, but also study pertain to disaster response initiatives were psychologically valuable. those who gave emotional support. policy, communities, individuals, and Consequently, in the absence of However, less autonomy was predicted mental health practitioners. The need adequate social support during similar by receiving instrumental support, so a to provide emotional and social support crises, individuals would have less balance between interdependence and to communities impacted by disaster is opportunity to extract something positive independence may be important. This acknowledged in Australian state policy from their experience and may be more study affirms the value of bi-directional (Queensland Department of Community prone to symptoms of psychological interpersonal exchanges and of tending Safety, 2010). This study affirms that distress (Campion and Nurse, 2007; to emotional as well as material needs acts of giving instrumental support can Mason, et al., 2010). This can lead to in disaster response efforts to promote convey compassion in action, embodying mental health problems in the longer- individual and community psychosocial the most important ingredient for well- term (Nesbitt, 2010) further straining wellness and recovery. Fundamentally, the being during the floods: emotional individual and community resources. research demonstrates that the capacity to support. Communities should be As posited by salutogenic theory, social receive and to give social support provides encouraged to accept and lend both support was a valuable coping resource opportunities to cultivate well-being and types of support to family, friends and in this context, serving to promote envision new ways of being in the world, strangers in disaster recovery efforts. psychosocial wellness following crisis. even amidst a natural disaster. l
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 18 Tasmania sets the pace on firefighter protection he Tasmanian Government has support stricken firefighters in Canada moved to become the first state and the United States, as well as federally T in Australia to introduce supported employed firefighters working in Canberra presumptive legislation recognising all and Australian airports. twelve occupational cancers for firefighters. “In Australia, the federal legislation was Similar legislation to support Victorian passed after a thorough Senate inquiry firefighters with occupational cancer has examined the links between firefighters been introduced by Greens MP Colleen and cancer, and was unanimously Hartland, but is yet to get the support of supported by all political parties. Government parties. “Today is a breakthrough and Redpath, 42, welcomed the Tasmanian Tasmanian Police and Emergency firefighters sincerely appreciate today’s move. The father-of-one is now back at work Management Minister David O’Byrne today initiative by the Tasmanian Government. after his personal battle with prostate cancer. introduced legislation to end the impossible “We hope this legislation will also have “This legislation means that firefighters task of firefighters proving which chemicals the bipartisan support of all parties in the with cancer can focus on their health and they encounter have caused their cancer Tasmanian Parliament. work on their recovery, without worrying from the many hundreds of fires and “And that politicians in other states about the financials,” he said. emergencies they may have attended. will soon recognise the unique risks that “Previously if we got sick it was just ‘see They will be able to access medical firefighters face. you later, see you when you get back’. support, leave and compensation – “They head into danger as others flee – “We’re a close family, the firefighting removing the burden which currently but the effect of prolonged exposure to community, and support each other. falls on their family and friends. carcinogens, toxins and other chemicals “Through this legislation we will also United Firefighters Union national can cost their health,” Mr Marshall said. know that we have the broader community secretary Peter Marshall says similar laws In Hobart, Tasmanian firefighter Daniel standing behind us,” he said. l
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Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 19 Ambulance Victoria showing UK paramedics F e how it’s done atur e stor y
Ambulance Victoria air ambulance and personnel.
An Ambulance Victoria air ambulance intensive care paramedic travelled to the UK showcasing our world-leading health care system.
obile Intensive Care “Advances in paramedic clinical maybe pick up some ideas from them Ambulance (MICA) flight care on the road and in air too,” Mr Meadley said. Mparamedic Ben Meadley ambulance, with things like the Air Ambulance Victoria planes and completed a speaking tour funded by introduction of carrying blood for in- helicopters are frequently used to treat Paramedics Australasia and the UK flight transfusions, have led to better and transport critically ill cardiac arrest College Of Paramedics to explain how outcomes for patients. patients and heart attack patients from things are done down under. “It’s good to be able to share this rural communities to the large hospitals As well as his work on the knowledge with UK paramedics and in Melbourne. l air ambulance helicopters and planes, Ben is a lecturer in pre- hospital medicine at Monash Ambulance Victoria is a world leader the number of people being University and a Medical Educator in improving outcomes for patients discharged from hospital to home for the Royal Australian College of who suffer a form of cardiac arrest has almost doubled from 16.1 per General Practitioners. that allows the heart to be ‘shocked’ cent to 31.4 per cent. Ben spent time doing operational back into rhythm by a defibrillator. 42 per cent of (VT/VF) rural cardiac shifts as an observer on air ambulance This is known as ventricular fibrillation arrest patients are brought back to helicopters and in road ambulances and ventricular tachycardia (VT/VF). life by paramedics and transported to in West Midlands. In Melbourne, 56 per cent of (VT/ hospital. Approximately half of these “We are incredibly fortunate to VF) cardiac arrest patients arrived at patients are discharged from hospital, have the ambulance system in Victoria hospital alive after being brought back representing an increase from 8.1 per which is amongst the best in the world,” to life by paramedics. Since 2003, cent in 2003 to 16.7per cent in 2011. Mr Meadley said.
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DE and evacuations, Part Ii IanMannix Churchill Fellow 2012
G BOR In 2012, Churchill Fellowship recipient Ian Mannix travelled overseas ‘to study US and Canadian emergency warnings, warning centres, warning broadcasts, and evacuation procedures for natural disasters’. This article is Part II of Mr Mannix’s report to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia. Part I was published in the Autumn issue of National Emergency Response. CROSSIN US WEATHER SERVICE RADIO each with a range of about 60 kilometers. bands, so the public are required to buy The US National Weather Service (NWS) It is estimated that 98 per cent of all people a special weather radio. has a multi-faceted approach to community are within range of National Oceanic Features vary a little but generally safety which includes creation and and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) they are activated when a tone alarm is dissemination of warnings and information. Weather Radio, which runs the NWS. broadcast by the NWS for ‘warning’ or In addition to the usual weather That makes it an important part of the US ‘watch’ messages delivered by the NWS. forecasters, the NWS has in its 120 or so natural hazards warning system, so knowing The audio is recorded. It is a bit monotone, regional offices a warnings officer who a little about it can be useful in comparing and will play on a loop, at various intervals works on disasters. The NWS has its own and contrasting different warning platforms. (not continuous) determined by the event. terrestrial weather radio system, which fills Weather radios are widely available The tone (1050MHz) will activate all the gap when commercial radio doesn’t for homes, office, schools or business. the receivers, which are equipped to issue warnings. It is both another level of Prices can vary from $20 to $200, receive it, even if the audio is turned complexity, and another level of certainty. depending on the model. The frequency off. This is especially useful for warnings The NWS radio network consists of 1,013 on which they transmit is much higher which occur during the night when most transmitters dotted around the country, than the commercial AM and FM people are asleep. Many are geocoded, so the owner can opt to receive messages at county or city Program level, and can opt out of some message September categories. For example, a person in 24 California Emergency Management Agency a coastal county, but not right at the California Warnings Centre beach, might not care about coastal 25-26 Manton, California flood warnings. This feature may also be Emergency Management Agency Tahoma County (Reading, California) called ‘Event Blocking’ or ‘Defeat Siren’. KQMS Talk Radio (Reading, California) Most are AC adapted with battery backup 28 National Weather Service (Kansas City) for power outages. Some receivers come Joplin with an external antenna jack, normally in October the back of the unit, to connect to a larger 1 National Weather Service (Washington) antenna, which can be indoors or outdoors. 2 Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA National Weather Radio (NWR) 3 National Forest Service broadcasts are in the public service VHF 9 American Broadcasting Corporation (New York) frequencies, just above FM radio and 12 Emergency Management Agency (British Columbia) between the current TV channels 6 and 7 15 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (British Columbia) – so the radios are usually sold as AM/FM/ 18 Pierce County, Washington State Weather radio. They can be used in cars. National Weather Service, Seattle Some radios have a jack to plug-in 19 Washington SECC external notification devices, such as 20 Washington EMA strobe lights or bed shakers, which can be useful for those with special needs.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 23
Weather radio puts responsibility in the 1. Warnings officers in all 122 regional and receives auto-updates for all operating hands of the NWS for both creating and forecasting centres who have system patches and bug-fixes. The systems disseminating warnings. The system is an emergency and community are scanned quarterly to identify and correct robust, and many weather service warning education role. IT security vulnerabilities as required by CROSSIN teams allow the service to broadcast a range 2. Direct access between warnings NOAA IT Computer Security policy. of other non-weather related warnings. officers, forecasters and broadcasters. Individual user accounts are required The highlight of the system is the sleep A very important component of this for NWSChat; shared or group accounts mode, in which the audio is only turned approach is NWSchat, the real time are disallowed. A standardized account on when needed. This puts it in a special interactive communications system naming syntax is also enforced for place, above all existing radio and TV, all (https://nwschat.weather.gov/), which manageability. To register with NWSChat, online media and most mobile platforms. would be well worth considering in users must submit an online form. Once
It meets the UN Guiding Principles for Australia for all emergency agencies and submitted, the selected primary office BOR G Effective Early Warnings, particularly with the Bureau of Meteorology. It allows direct receives an email of the request, and will respect to accessibility, if the strobe lights communications with experts ‘off line’ approve or deny authorization for each and vibrating beds and chairs are attached. seeking more information, more urgently, user. Once approved, the requesting The coverage is extensive, but might not raising questions and providing feedback. user is notified via email and then must
be top-of-mind for all Americans. In Manton, To quote the NWSchat home page: complete online training for NWSChat. DE California, no one mentioned weather radio; “NWS partners can use NWSChat as Most multi-user chatrooms on and in Joplin, Missouri, in ‘tornado alley’ an efficient means of seeking clarifications NWSChat are open to NWS partners once RS only a couple of people mentioned they and enhancements to the communication they are authorized by the NWS. However, had one, although one turned it off when it stream originating from the NWS during a certain rooms are restricted for members became too intrusive. The manager at my fast paced significant weather or hydrologic only access. This is necessary to secure Washington DC hotel had never heard of it event. NWSChat is an Instant Messaging information in specific chatrooms intended and said there were none in the building. program used by NWS operational for certain partners only. For example, James Bremer, the program director personnel to share critical warning decision some information may be required and senior engineer at KQMS in Redding expertise and other types of significant by emergency managers that is not told me his station could add weather weather information essential to the NWS’s appropriate for media partners due to the radio broadcasts to their automatic mission of saving lives and property.” sensitivity of and timeliness of emergency emergency alert content if they thought Mike Hudson, the warning specialist operations. As a result, a members only it might be warranted. “But often it’s too at Kansas City, Missouri, says it helps to chatroom would be provided limiting repetitious,” Mr Bremer said. ensure that the messages being broadcast access to NWS and authorized emergency NWR type infrastructure might be a over multiple platforms are consistent: “If managers exclusively, for a given location. barrier to creating these systems in other people receive more than one message at In order to participate in NWSChat, countries, but in reality new servers/ a time it can lead to paralysis. Inconsistent you must meet at least one of the codecs can direct audio to existing AM and messaging leads people to shop for following standards: FM radios, and an inaudible tone could information, taking up valuable time to see • Be a member of the emergency switch the radios on, so the system would if other radio and TV stations are carrying management (EM) community: these days be much less capital intensive. the same message,” Mr Hudson said. Members of the EM community Local government in Australia, which has Real time chatroom content between includes public safety officials who embraced the concept of tourist radio on the duty warnings forecaster and all media, serve as employees or contract agents the FM band in Australia, and which has or between emergency agency duty of a government agency at the federal, over the years enthusiastically supported officers and the warnings media, would state, local, or tribal level and are community radio, might find this a useful enhance understanding at critical times. charged with protecting the public from local communications system. It would NWSchat is linked directly to the local hazards that are influenced by weather cost less than giving very household warnings officers. or weather related events. Other three different coloured rubbish bins. The use of Instant Messaging (IM) and members of this community include: chatrooms has proved to be valuable for safety and emergency personnel, from US NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE this type of communication internally in universities or other large entities with AND EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS many businesses, but to open them to large populations, whose roles are The NWS in the US has a symbiotic working various partners, like the NWS has done, is functionally equivalent to the public relationship with the broadcast media, a bold step, which reflects the relationship safety officials described above, and which far surpasses anything in Australia. between broadcasters and the NWS. Amateur Radio Emergency Services. Although The ABC has wonderful and The technical details are online and the • Be a government partner of a NWS often personal relationships with the following information is edited from the site: office: This includes government Bureau of Meteorology, the US NWS https://nwschat.weather.gov/NWSChat partners who have missions that systemises the process. SecurityWhitepaper.pdf NWSchat is require close coordination with the The central pillar behind the success maintained by the National Weather Service NWS. Government partners include of the NWS relationship is the integrated and is situated behind a firewall. NWSChat (but are not limited to) the Federal warning team, but there are other very is comprised of a pair of servers configured Aviation Administration (FAA), and important elements. in a resilient primary/backup configuration, water and land management officials.
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• Be a member of the electronic Signage Emergencies are handled by Counties. media: members of the electronic in uptown In the case of bushfires the incident Manhattan. media are parties, and contract controller will advise the Sheriff that the agents of parties who: fire threatens homes or a community • have a need to actively participate and the evacuation is carried out by law in discussions with NWS Forecast enforcement officers. RS Offices on imminent weather or During the Ponderosa fires, Shingletown other hazards, and was issued with a voluntary evacuation
DE • operate systems that routinely and notice that was superseded about two rapidly relay weather and water but in reality, they will be very reluctant hours later by a mandatory evacuation watches, advisories, warnings and to physically remove a person from their notice. This two level evacuation procedure forecast information to a significant home if they want to try and defend it. reflects the same benefits of the graduated part of the population served Persuasion is their most effective tool. warning system for fire risk used in Australia.
G BOR by an NWS office; via electronic One Canadian emergency manager said: At Manton when the fire was out of information distribution such as “There are laws that can be put in place to control and time was much shorter, things radio, television, internet, cellular, remove children from dangerous places. worked a little differently. One genteel and other wireless means. That soon convinces parents to follow.” soul told me (after advising me to cover Note: Individuals, companies, or other An American emergency agency staff my ears) “The sheriff’s car drove into my entities involved in chasing weather events member said one other phrase has been drive, sounded the siren, and he yelled and posting or streaming video or pictures found to be particularly persuasive: “Before ‘You’d better get the … outta here.’” of the event, but do not otherwise have a I go I need to know how tall you are so I However next door in Washington CROSSIN need to communicate with NWS do not can bring the right size body bag back.” State there is a three level evacuation meet the qualifications for this Service. The law is outlined in Community Wildfire procedure for fires (but not for lahars). Protection Plans, which are implemented This is how the evacuation notices BUSHFIRE EVACUATIONS in nearly all fire prone regions. This is unfolded for the multiple fires in the Evacuations from hazardous areas are from Lane County in California: Wenatchee fire complex in Washington State a standard part of the tool kit of the US from 11 September 2012. The Washington emergency manager. The protocols vary THE LAW State Emergency Management Agency from place to place, and they are still A county, city or municipal corporation (EMA) web site contains all the details of the ironing out some of the problems in may authorize an agency or official to way the evacuations launched, ramped some areas but it is clear that the system order mandatory evacuations of residents up, and then gradually were downgraded. in place leads to clear understanding by and other individuals after a declaration This is the warnings content of the the community of their responsibilities. of a state of emergency within the excellent fire web site called Inciweb, set But it is equally clear the term ‘mandatory jurisdiction is declared. An evacuation up by federal fire authorities to be used evacuation’ is perceived to be optional. under an ordinance or resolution by state and county emergency agencies. authorized by this section shall be Incident: Wenatchee Complex Wildfire ordered only when necessary for public Released: 9/11/2012 safety or when necessary for the efficient Level 1, 2, and 3 Evacuation Status is akin conduct of activities that minimize or to a ‘Ready, Set, Go’ level of evacuation mitigate the effects of the emergency notices with Level 1 asking residents to be (ORS 401.309). BE AWARE; after a ready to evacuate if conditions change, mandatory evacuation order goes into Level 2 means residents should be set effect emergency responders will not risk to go at a moment’s notice, Level 3 their lives to save you should you choose means authorities are advising residents to stay at your home after the order. to evacuate because their homes are Evacuation procedures need to be in imminent danger (under Level 3, planned and trained for. Many roads residents will not be allowed to return to Tsunami evacuation have warning signs along them which their homes until fire danger decreases). route sign are opened only when an evacuation is Evacuations remain in place for the in San in place, restricting travel on the whole following areas affected by the Byrd Francisco. road to one direction. Other road signs Canyon Fire: are left permanently on display, which · Downey Canyon – Level 1 There are many times an evacuation isn’t serves as a useful community education · State Route 971 Navarre Coulee Road possible, tornadoes and rapidly moving tool that constantly advises road users of (east side) – Level 2 fires come to mind and it is understood the perceived risk. · State Route 971 Navarre Coulee Road that the chance of evacuation using roads The public needs to know when to (west side) – Level 3 immediately after an earthquake will be evacuate and where to go. Clearly this needs · State Route 97A Tunnel to Davis determined by the level of damage. good local pre-planning. Doug Gantt, Fire Canyon – Level 3 Like Australia, police have various laws Manager Officer with The US Forest Service · State Route 97A from Byrd Canyon to they can use to force people to evacuate, says,”You have to front load all this stuff.” State Route 971 – Level 3
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 25
The explanations at the top of “Word of mouth is important,” he said. She did the first thing everyone the warning were inserted because Christine Case is the post manager. She does, looked for more information. She fire managers weren’t confident the tucks herself away in a weatherboard turned on the radio and the local fire community was fully aware of the building five and half days a week. The radio scanner. She alerted friends who CROSSIN evacuation procedures. No survey has been post office in the US is open Saturday lived in a caravan in her back yard, who done about how many people evacuated, mornings, and there’s a terrific public battle immediately went to look at the fire. They or when, but no one died or was injured. on between the government, which wants returned shortly after with good news. Over time the evacuation levels to reduce costs, and the community, “They said they’d seen the fire and it were reduced. which wants Saturday deliveries. was moving away,” Ms Borden said. Then the wind changed. Christine Case and Tom WARNINGS IN ACTION “A law enforcement officer pulled up in Warner outside the The Ponderosa fire Manton Post office. my driveway, blasted his siren and said, (she BOR G apologises for the language) ‘You might want to get the … out of here or you will die, the fire’s less than ten minutes away.’” “I was going to stay and fight, we
have a good defensible space, but he DE seemed to give me no choice,” she said. “I have a lot of faith. I am a member Manton Corners, centre of the community. RS of St John’s Orthodox Church, and my house is heavily blessed. I was told by a The Ponderosa fire started by lightening monk from the local monastery that my in August 2012, a few kilometers from house would always be safe,” she said. the town of Manton, in the Californian Sharon relies quite a bit on her friend, Sierra Mountains. It burnt out 57 homes, Nancy Neal, who lives 30 minutes away. tens of thousands of acres of dense “I wanted to call Sharon as soon as mountain forest, and resulted in the I knew there was a fire. I called her, urgent evacuation of 3,000 people from the store, the fire station, the diner and a subdivision near Shingletown. I couldn’t get through on any of the The residents of Manton, close to the fire Her first warning was on wheels. “I saw phones. I was scared to death. ignition zone, relied on community word of the California Forestry fire truck go past, “It was very upsetting, so I drove down, mouth, and to a certain extent Facebook, so I knew they’d been alerted. In the but the roads were closed,” Ms Neal said. for warnings. Local Sheriff Department next three hours I saw more and more Sharon’s home paddock was burned; officers were able to warn people verbally. fire trucks,” Ms Case said. She debated one of her three goats died, 40 chickens Residents further afield had some hours whether to stay in town and help out, or perished in their shed, and the corner of to prepare and received telephone based go home, which is an hour drive away. her house was damaged, before the fire evacuation alerts. Local radio stations carried The local radio station, K-shasta, 104.3fm, fighters doused the flames. news of the warnings in news bulletins. carried a news item about the fire. Ms Case Some roads were closed by Sheriff’s heard the report, but doesn’t recall hearing department officers before residents knew any other radio based warnings. No one there was a fire, suggesting that the warning called her with advice or questions. “I didn’t system did not work well in the initial stages. really know exactly where the fire was,” When the fire put up smoke mid Ms Chase said. “As I left town the California morning on the Ponderosa Way, about Highway Patrol was closing the roads and I five kilometres out of town, retired power couldn’t get back for three days,” she said. Regrowth, Ponderosa Way, six weeks after the worker Tom Carter might have been Sharon Borden is a frail elderly woman August 2012 bushfires. among the first to see it, from the ridge who lives on Ponderosa Way. Someone he lives on. He saw the smoke and drove called her to tell her about the fire. “Word of The fire occurred on the day of the to Ponderosa Way immediately. The fire mouth gets around quickly” Ms Borden said. Manton roast, an annual thanksgiving style was just getting started at 10:30 am. Ms Borden expects a call in a situation event where the whole town comes together. Someone alerted California Fire and like this, but is a little confused about Sue and Gary Young, who owned a the local fire trucks raced through town where it might come from. fly fishing tourist venture about 10.5 with their sirens on. kilometers east of the town, were not at “You have to let the community know the roast, but a lot of people they would what’s going on,” said Mr Carter. He hit normally expect a message from, were. Facebook, loaded pictures, and began The day was quiet for them. chatting. “A picture is worth a thousand Sue described her home in the forest words, everyone reposted the pictures. quite lovingly: “Our property consisted I’ve convinced many people to get on of dams and trees, firs, oaks, cedars, From L: Sharon Borden and Nancy Neal in Manton’s diner. Facebook and help each other,” he said. historic apples and pines.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 26
“These were full grown trees some more than 150 years old. They’d never been in a fire,” she said. They listened to the fire radio scanner and knew there was a fire in the area somewhere. “The scanner doesn’t have RS anything specific about fires or their locations,” said Ms Young, “we never knew Farmer Elaine Wusstig in Shingletown serves Julia DE which way the fire was coming from.” Pritchard, owner of Manton’s diner. But previous experience and many years living in the area meant that Gary was mostly clear blue skies on the way was not overly concerned. home. But when I got home debris “Normally in these parts,” he says, “if started falling from the sky.
G BOR “It was chunks of branches and small a fire was four miles away we’d have a A sign on Ponderosa Way near where the Manton couple of days to prepare. We’ve had false embers,” Ms Hikel said. fire started. alarms and I wasn’t overly concerned.” They received a 911 call suggesting They continued to look for signs of fire, they consider evacuating, and they created a blog and all available information but they didn’t receive any warnings. began preparing. “It took another couple was brought to one location, although no But suddenly they saw the flames of hours, and I did it so fast, I left my one in these communities mentioned about a kilometre away. “We only had make-up bag,” she said. they visited the site for information. It 20-30 minutes to prepare and get out,” A mandatory evacuation alert was did however contain comprehensive and CROSSIN Mr Young said. phoned through at 6pm and they left immediate information that the news media The house and ten outbuildings were to go to a friend’s house. used to good effect. The local K-Shasta radio destroyed. “We built the house in 1981. “The fire looked very close, and we station was not staffed on the weekend and It was redwood, with a fire retardant were very scared,” Ms Hikel said. did not automatically carry the warnings. asphalt roof, but it didn’t quite work the They turned the radio on and listened The best warning therefore initially came way it has been planned. to information throughout the night from families and friends, and it proves ”It looks like the surface of the moon there and the next day. A total of 56 homes again how important it is to have a well now. But the fish are still there,” he said. were destroyed between Manton and connected and motivated community able Gary and Sue are still wondering if Shingletown but the big subdivisions to act even when there is no official warning. they will rebuild. were saved. In the absence of any other warning, “We have an awesome fire fighting the evacuation notices delivered service,” says Ms Hikel. Her home from the state warning centre via the wasn’t damaged. telephone alert service were effective. In Australia, ABC Local Radio would have been available to issue alerts and warnings should the incident controller create them. This would have resulted in warnings being Gary and Sue Young in Julia Pritchard’s diner. disseminated while the fire was at Manton. ABC Local Radio would automatically issue Fanned by strong winds, the fire raced warnings on line and social media. towards the regional centre, Shingletown, The comprehensive Inciweb blog and its outlying development community created by the State Warning Centre is of Lake Macumber. an advance on the Australian experience Never mind, we understand. It was moving so quickly that where police, fire, ambulance and others evacuations were ordered that afternoon. create their own sites, and busy, or even Shingletown farmer Elaine Wusstig lives CONCLUSION sometimes extremely stressed residents, seven kilometres west of the town, and The wild fire threat to Manton, and have to visit numerous sites seeking was never threatened. “When I saw that eventually Lake Macumber and comprehensive information. big plume of smoke I thought Mt Lassen Shingletown, was very similar to that To be continued in National Emergency had blown up,” Ms Wusstig recalls. experienced in Australia every summer. Response Journal Spring 2013 edition. “I would have thought I would get a Initially local emergency agencies tried to reverse 911 call or something like that, but deal with the event alone, and only when About the Author we didn’t get any warnings at all,” she said. it became clear they would not control Ian Mannix is the Manager Majka Hikel is a real estate agent at the fire, did the control escalate to County Emergency Broadcasting and Shingletown. She was in her office all level, and eventually to the State Warning Community Development on day. She lives at the Lake Macumber Centre. At this time the full resources of the ABC Local Radio, Collinswood, development, among 200 or so houses state were brought to bear and widespread South Australia. View his blog at each deep in the forested area. warnings were issued using the emergency www.forewarned.info “I closed the office at 4pm, and it alert system. The statewide council also
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 27 Victorian President’s Report Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Division of the Australian Institute of Emergency Service Inc 7:30 pm 10 May 2013 Club Ringwood, Crn Maroondah Highway and Oban Rd, Ringwood, Victoria Park View Room
Agenda Items Election of Office Bearers: There were Welcome distinguished guests, no other nominations for office bearers members, ladies and gentlemen, to up for re-election, Alan Marshall, Grant the 2013 Annual General Meeting of Coutlman-Smith, Ian Munro, so the the Victorian Division of the Australian incumbents are re-elected. Institute of Emergency Services. Safety Dates of Meetings: National AGM will be issues for evacuation, bar and toilets held Adelaide on 17 July 2013 . and other arrangements. The Victorian Division AGM for 2014 Victorian Division: Committee members. will be held in the first quarter of 2014. Alan Marshall, Grant Coultman-Smith, Other Business: I welcome our guest Ian Munro, Bruce Dickie, registrar, speaker for this evening: Alan Alder. Alan set in place the Associate/Professor Brett Aimers, arrangements for tonight but he is Officer of St John, Fellow of the an apology this evening due to his Australian College on Nursing, recent hand operations. Registered Nurse and a Member of Apologies: There are 17 Apologies the Victorian Division of the Australian Ian Munro’s comments re speaker: for tonights meeting. Institute of Emergency Services. Associate/Professor Brett Aimers Minutes 2012 Vic AGM: Were (OStJ, FACN, RN, MAIES) The presentation was very informative published in the NER magazine, Brett is Chief Professional Officer for and it showed how St John has Winter Edition 2012. St John Ambulance and an Assistant restructured Australia wide to be Matters arising from previous Director with the Australian Emergency a national organisation, with state Minutes: No matters on minutes. Management Institute within the autonomy, yet able to be expanded Moved: John Crennan National Security Training Education as required from their national Membership: There was one Vic. and Development Branch. body through the team at St John Div. member listed in the Australia He is a Fellow of the Australian Headquarters in ACT on request. Day Honours. College of Nursing and a Clinical There are clear lines of Mr Anthony (Tony) Scott OXFORD, Associate Professor with Australian communication on training, structure, ASM, CStJ, MAIES Vic Div. Catholic University in recognition of his and radio frequencies, common across As National President I posted a letter expertise in emergency management the Australian division of St John. congratulating Tony on his award of the and clinical leadership. Brett has a A coordinated body able to respond Ambulance Service Medal on behalf of keen interest in disaster health, volunteer with advanced first aid and medical the National Council. leadership and holds a number of support and a stand-alone radio The membership for 2013 is 116 up visiting and Adjunct appointments communications network. 10 new members from 2012. I thank including at Flinders University within the Also in Victoria, St John has just started all members for their continued support Centre for Disaster Health. a new stand-alone business in non- and interest in the Australian Institute Tonight, Brett will be talking about the urgent patient care transport operating of Emergency Services. I encourage emerging role of ‘health’ as a traditional under contract with Ambulance Service you all to contribute articles to your component of emergency management Victoria. St John continues to be active NER Magazine. today and how St John Ambulance, as in its core business of saving lives trough Treasurers Report: I table copies tonight, a unique health service, responds from first aid in the community and through and I sign a copy for our AGM records. a national level in response to a large its schools program of teaching first aid An audited original has been sent scale emergency. to save lives. to the National Council. Moved as is: A/Professor Brett Aimers OStJ, FACN, There being no other business, Ian Munro RN, MAIES the meeting closed at 9:50 pm.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response LEANNE AND http://www.indigenoustrainingaustralia.com.au JAMES Indigenous Training AustraliaUnit 2a, 3 HuntPty St, Ltd COSH South Hedland, WA, 6722
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Completed Application forms with fees should be forwarded to the Division Registrar in the State where you normally reside. Further information may also be obtained by contacting your Division Registrar or General Registrar of the Institute at the following addresses:
NATIONAL COUNCIL QUEENSLAND The General Registrar The Registrar – QLD Division of Australian Institute of Australian Institute of Emergency Services (General Council) Emergency Services. PO Box 590 Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Post Office Box 710, Spit Road, Spit Junction, NSW 2088 Email: [email protected] Ph: (02) 9968 1226 Email: [email protected] SOUTH AUSTRALIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA National Web Site: www.aies.net.au AND NORTHERN TERRITORY AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY The Registrar – SA Division of Australian Institute of Emergency The Registrar – ACT Division of Australian Institute of Services. PO Box 10530 Adelaide Business Centre, SA 5000 Emergency Services. PO Box 504, Civic Square ACT 2601 Email: [email protected], Email: [email protected] TASMANIA NEW SOUTH WALES and NEW ZEALAND The Registrar – TAS Division of Australian Institute of The Registrar – NSW Division of Australian Institute of Emergency Services. PO Box 1 Lindisfarne, TAS 7015 Emergency Services. PO Box 695, Haberfield NSW 2045 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] VICTORIA The Registrar – VIC Division of Australian Institute of Emergency Services. C/O 44 Webb St, Warrandyte, VIC 3113 Email: [email protected]
THE INSTITUTE’s AIMS • Corporate members receive a bronze plaque free of charge and To provide a professional body for the study of the roles and can advertise on the AIES website, as well as provide articles for functions of Emergency Services and Emergency Management inclusion in the Institute’s journal. Organisations throughout Australia, and the promotion and advancement of professional standards in these and associated MEMBERSHIP services. Costs Nomination Fee: $20.00 THE INSTITUTE’S OBJECTIVES Annual Subscription: $50.00 • To raise the status and advance the interests of the profession Fellows: $60.00 of emergency management and counter disaster services Corporate Subscription: $250.00 administration. Note: Institute Fees may be tax deductible. • To represent generally the views and interests of the profession Classes and to promote a high standard of integrity and efficiency in the There are four classes of membership: skills of emergency and counter disaster administration. • Members • Fellows • Life Fellows • Corporate • To provide opportunities for association among members and There are five categories of affiliation with the Institute that students to promote and protect their mutual interest. may be offered to persons who do not meet the requirements • To facilitate full interchange of concepts and techniques for membership: amongst members. • Associate • Student Member • Retired Member • To bring to the notice of the public such matters that are • Honorary Member • Honorary Fellow deemed to be important for safety and protection of the community and to promote research and development of Eligibility emergency services generally. Applications for membership will be considered from persons • To establish a national organisation to foster international who are at least eighteen years of age and who: • co-operation in counter-disaster services administration. • Are members of a permanent emergency service or • associated service, or THE INSTITUTE OFFERS • Are volunteer members of emergency or associated services. • An opportunity to be part of a progressive Australia-wide Admission as a member may be granted if in the opinion of Institute dedicated to the progression and recognition of the the General Council the applicant meets all other conditions of Emergency Service role in the community. membership and passes such examinations and/or other tests • An independent forum where you can be heard and your as may be required by General Council. opinions shared with other emergency service members. • A journal with information from institutes and other sources MEMBERS around the world in addition to the interchange of views between Our members come from Divisions in Australia, as well as access to the Institute website. • Ambulance Service • Community Services • Emergency • Reduced fees for members at Institute Seminars and Equipment Industry • Emergency Management Organisations Conferences and an information service supplied by • Fire Services • Health, Medical and Nursing Services • Mines professional experienced officers. Rescue • Police Service • Safety Officers • SES • Transport Services • A Certificate of Membership. • Volunteer Marine Rescue • Volunteer Rescue Associations • The opportunity to use the initials of the particular membership status after your name.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 31 aies contacts GENERAL ENQUIRIES Email: [email protected] The General Registrar Post Office Box 710 spit Road, sPIT JUNCTION NSW 2088
National Council CONTACTS President Email: [email protected] alan Marshall, LFAIES Phone: 0428 308 008 Vice President Email: [email protected] John Rice, FAIES Phone: 0488 204 043 General Secretary/National Registrar Email: [email protected] robert Maul LFAIES, JP Phone: 02 9968 1226 0400 521 304
Australian Capital Territory Division President Email: [email protected] scott Milne, ESM, MAIES Phone: 02 6267 5603 0400 332 780 Registrar Email: [email protected] PO Box 504 Phil Gaden MAIES Phone: 0413 137 761 CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2601
New South Wales/New Zealand President Email: [email protected] Harold Wolpert MAIES Phone: 0418 969 017 Acting Registrar Email: [email protected] PO Box 695 Jan Maguire MAIES 0418 665 373 HABERFIELD NSW 2045 Queensland President Email: [email protected] Michael Davis, AM, ASM, LFAIES Phone: 0411 554 955 Registrar Email: [email protected] PO Box 590 Greg Eustace MAIES Phone: 0407 379 514 FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006
South Australia/Western Australia/Northern Territory President Email: [email protected] barry Presgrave OAM, JP, LFAIES Phone: 08 8178 0775 0412 066 657 Registrar Email: [email protected] PO Box 10530 Michelle Tink MAIES Phone: 0404 287 186 ADELAIDE BUSINESS CENTRE SA 5000
Tasmania President Email: [email protected] ron Jones FAIES Phone: 0427 008 705 Registrar Email: [email protected] PO Box 1 neil Wright MAIES 0418 569 925 LINDISFARNE TAS 7015
Victoria President Email: [email protected] alan Marshall C.StJ, LFAIES Phone: 0428 308 008 Registrar Email: [email protected] 44 Webb Street alan Alder OAM, LFAIES Phone: 03 9844 3237 WARRANDYTE VIC 3113
National Emergency Response Journal Editor Email: [email protected] Kristi High Phone: 0407 366 466
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response 32
Tree down
Demonstrating the shared commitment and cooperation team work between South Australian emergency services, crews from Bradbury Country Fire Service (CFS), Cherry Garden CFS and Sturt State Emergency Service (SES) responded to a large fallen pine tree completely blocking the road at Scott Creek in the Adelaide Hills. Photo: CFS Promotions Unit.
Winter2013 • National Emergency Response Blue light brings police and youth together to provide young people with positive lifestyle alternatives and strategies to avoid becoming an offender or victim of crime. Visit www.bluelight.com.au for more info. The underlying factors governing all Blue Light activities is that they must be: • Free from alcohol • Free from drugs • Free from anti-social behaviour • and FUN!
We do more than just dance Help the Salvos shield those in need.
www.salvos.org.au CREDIT CARD DONATIONS 13 72 58