Townsville to host key disaster management forum next week

Almost 70 local and State disaster management practitioners will converge on Townsville next week for the third annual Disaster Management Officers’ Network Forum.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said about 50 local government disaster management officers, and 18 disaster management specialists from State Government agencies would attend the May 9-11 forum.

Mr Crawford said the forum – facilitated by the Office of the Inspector-General Emergency Management – will be held at the M-On-Palmer.

He said it was designed to enhance disaster management capability at the local level through better collaboration, resource, idea and knowledge exchange, and the sharing of good practice.

“It is paramount that disaster management capability is effectively delivered at the local level and important initiatives such as the Disaster Management Officer’s Network and activities such as the forum are fundamental in building this capacity,” Mr Crawford said.

“We have already seen significant developments and community benefits arising out this network, particularly in rural and remote communities.

“This is why the Palaszczuk Government is committed to recognising and supporting initiatives such as the Disaster Management Officers’ Network into the future, to ensure the best disaster management arrangements are in place to protect all Queenslanders.”

The Disaster Management Officers Network has grown rapidly since its inception in 2016 and now involves 91 disaster management officers and local disaster coordinators from 55 councils from across Queensland.

The success of the Disaster Management Officers’ Network was recognised at last year’s Premier’s Award for Excellence, where it won the Leadership Category.

The Inspector-General Emergency Management Iain MacKenzie said a key element behind the success of the network was that it was peer driven.

Mr MacKenzie said disaster management officers will deliver most of the sessions at the forum around themes including Capitalising on Our Capabilities and Mobilising Community.

“The topics and sessions being delivered at this year’s forum are at the heart of current disaster management interest at the local level,” Mr MacKenzie said.

“Wrestling with elements of these themes, building capability in rural and remote councils and sharing good practice in these fields are all essential in our vision of facilitating the development of world-class disaster management arrangements in Queensland.”

ENDS

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