Disaster management briefing aims to make state safer ahead of summer storm season

Published Monday, 17 September, 2018 at 07:00 AM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

Disaster management stakeholders will take part in an important briefing today (Monday) to “better understand Queensland’s current and future risks”, according to Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford.

Mr Crawford said the annual Australian Government Annual Preparedness Briefing would allow Queensland government departments, local governments and non-government agencies to collaborate for the upcoming summer storm season.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises that a critical part of building safe and resilient communities is by working with others to create a safer Queensland by better understanding our current and future disaster risks,” Mr Crawford said.

“At today’s briefing in Brisbane, the Bureau of Meteorology, Emergency Management Australia, the Australian Defence Force and Geoscience Australia will discuss what our summer season looks like and how we can work effectively together under Queensland’s disaster management arrangements.

“The briefing is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the past season and discuss improvements, and how to best prepare to enhance our emergency management response for the next season.

“In Queensland, we experience climate extremes including floods, droughts, heatwaves and bushfires.

“Our hardworking Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) staff and volunteers have been kept busy across the state battling vegetation fires this bushfire season, which is about four to six weeks ahead of schedule.

“These weather conditions mean we need to be flexible and dynamic in our approach, so we can adapt to new challenges and provide sustainable solutions no matter what the situation is,” he said.

QFES Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche said recent events such as cyclones and the Commonwealth Games “meant we had an extremely busy start to this year with a strong focus on preparedness and planning”.

“We have learnt from these events and have invested in further training for our staff and frontline responders,” Mr Roche said

“This training includes the soon to be released QFES volunteerism strategy to better support our volunteers, who are a key component in creating community resilience.”

ENDS

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