27 VICTORIA’S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE WINTER www.oesc.vic.gov.au 2011 Floods, fires, plagues and drought – 24 months of emergency management in Victoria AN ARTICLE BY VICSES The Christmas period in Australia bought with it solemn thoughts of our fellow Australians in Queensland as they were challenged by some of the worst flooding in memory. It was a timely reminder of the outcomes that can arise if we are not mindful of the extremes associated with the Australian climate and weather systems. here in Victoria, a decade-long drought was broken in September by heavy rainfall and associated flooding in the state’s North-east. What followed was a monthly cycle of heavy rainfall, leading to 2010 being declared the wettest year since 1974 – and the fifth wettest year on record. January 9-15 2011 saw the combined result of record rainfall in the preceding months and a weather system that broke rainfall records in a number of locations across central Victoria. With already full rivers and soaked catchments, Victoria received between 100 and 300mm of rain, with much of the activity concentrated in the catchment areas of the Wimmera, Avoca, Loddon and Campaspe rivers in the Central, Northern and North-Western parts of the state. To be continued on page 3 IN THIS ISSUE From the Desk Across the Sector News Research e M events and Awards e M Movements Property isolated around flood waters in the Kerang district. Image: Rodney Dekker for VICSeS 2 WINTER 2011 ISSUE 27 3 From the Desk Commissioner’s Across the View Sector News Du RINg my time as Acting Emergency Services Premier Baillieu with VICSeS Commissioner over the last few months, we have volunteers at horsham experienced the full spectrum of emergency management. Incident Control Centre. Image: Malcolm Fairclough After a decade of drought, Victoria began 2011 with record-breaking flood impacts across the state that saw a multi agency response and a high level of continued from page 1 collaboration from our emergency services. VICSES was able to begin a proactive People and resources were made available significant and not simply due to As many Victorian communities are still recovering media campaign, pre-briefing media from CFA, the Department of Sustainability the size and scope of the event. from the floods and as the Review of 2010-11 Flood partners and other emergency services and Environment, Victoria Police, VicRoads, Victorians had suffered a decade of Warnings and Response calls us to hold true to our partners and receiving support from other OESC and municipalities across almost drought, longer in some areas, and were sector’s commitment to continuous improvement, we agencies across Victoria. one-fifth of the state. not well versed in flood preparation or brace for another winter and stand ready to lend support. This support would prove crucial in In addition, early February saw response. This meant combining flood In the midst of much work, planning and mitigation, maintaining a strong, consistent and timely metropolitan Melbourne hit with widespread education and response messages for the bright spirit and efforts of Victoria’s volunteers response to the worst flooding seen in flash flooding after 100mm fell in 24 hours, both communities and media in the continue to shine, selflessly sacrificing their time with many areas for more than 100 years. inundating entire suburbs and wreaking affected areas. a focus on the safety of the Victorian community. The Over the next four weeks, VICSES havoc on transport across the city. As we begin to see the last remaining CFA Volunteer Charter, recently enshrined in legislation, volunteers and staff responded to over Mildura received 178mm in 48 hours, affected communities move into recovery, signals that volunteerism will always be a cornerstone 15,000 requests for assistance, with 4,000 breaking all existing records for rainfall it is important VICSES and the broader of emergency management in Victoria. I hope the recent properties and 7,500 people affected and leaving areas of the regional centre emergency services communities do not National Volunteer Week festivities served to celebrate across 140 towns in 35 municipalities. inundated for weeks. lose sight of what was learned, what and invigorate our women, men and children whether in The combined response from Victoria’s The challenges faced by VICSES partnerships were formed, and crucially plain clothes or uniform. emergency services was enormous. and its partner emergency services were how we improve upon it next time. Across the sector, new partnerships and innovation are strengthening many different parts of the emergency DS e and VICSeS crews management system, bolstering our dynamic environment at Benjeroop Public hall. with fresh ideas and energy. The programs addressing Image: Department recovery, children, education and vulnerable groups of Sustainability highlighted in this issue of EM Info are only a small and environment part of the work our sector undertakes to tackle difficult challenges, open new avenues and move closer to a vision of seamless emergency management. Nominations are now being called for the 2011 Australian Safer Communities Awards, and I strongly encourage agencies to submit an entry for eligible projects that contribute towards building safer, more disaster resilient communities. It is important we remember that both the community and our emergency services have a mutual responsibility to build community resilience. We must make a concerted effort to take a collaborative approach and focus on continuous learning and improvement during this time of change. As winter brings some chance for reflection, we “Across the sector, should focus on using this time for additional training and exercising to enhance our skills across the sector new partnerships and reinforce our commitment to the Victorian people. We must continue to move forward together, regardless and innovation are of our differences, with a sense of drive and urgency strengthening many to make the community safer. different parts of the emergency management system, bolstering our dynamic environment with fresh ideas and energy. ” Flood waters in Kerang. Image: Rodney Dekker for VICSeS 4 WINTER 2011 ISSUE 27 5 h ead of the review Neil Comrie AO APM, said “It’s important for the review to gather all the necessary information and some of the most important information will come from communities in the flood affected areas.” “Throughout March, April and May we are visiting a total of 16 locations to speak with residents of those towns and surrounding areas and hear their thoughts,” Mr Comrie said. In addition to attending community meetings, individuals, groups and organisations have provided input through written submissions to the review, and communities in a range of flood affected towns and locations have provided their feedback through telephone surveys. “With flood waters still present in some communities, the fact people in these communities are still able to contribute to this review while they are rebuilding lives, properties and towns is a reflection of the strength of spirit and the bond they have to their community,” Mr Comrie said. The review has also undertaken a range of meetings across Victoria with emergency service personnel involved in the response to the floods, and will seek advice from experts in the field of flood management. “The findings of the review will help guide the government’s response and planning to make sure Victoria is better equipped to deal with similarly severe flooding events in the future,” Mr Baillieu said. An interim report will be provided to the Premier by 30 June, with a final report Flooding around Swan hill. on 1 December 2011. Image: Department of For more information, visit Sustainability and environment www.floodsreview.vic.gov.au Community consultations channel change h elping people to recover from the AN ARTICLE BY VICTORIAN FLOODS REVIEW AN ARTICLE BY DhS V ICTORIANS sharing their views on the psychological impact of the Victorian floods recent severe floods are helping guide the ThE Departments of health and human health and human Services DhS telephone outreach program has state’s future emergency management Services have been helping people to are providing: been contacting and identifying people arrangements through the Review of recover from the psychological impact • preventative mental health services, who may need further assistance, 2010-11 Flood Warnings and Response of the recent Victorian floods with a range including ‘psychological first-aid’ at information and referral. The DhS and community consultations. of initiatives. recovery centres to address the partner agencies have called and sent The review, announced by Premier A package of $1.55 million over the next immediate impacts of the disaster letters to everyone who received an Ted Baillieu on 8 February 2011, six months is being used to provide a range • community workshops and meetings on emergency grant to check on their examines issues including: of support services to ensure individuals what the effects of trauma from disasters wellbeing, provide information, and to • the adequacy of flood predictions and and families get the help they need, when are, and how to deal with them offer further supports, such as referrals to modelling they need it. • a range of outreach support to counselling, temporary housing assistance • the timeliness and effectiveness of The support services include generalist townships and rural communities and other personal support services.