Disaster response training will ensure high state of readiness

Department of Communities staff across the state who move in to help communities after cyclones hit are to receive specialised training to ensure they are ready for whatever emergency situation comes their way.

The announcement comes in the lead-up to the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with Cyclones – Queensland Prepared, to be hosted by Premier Peter Beattie at James Cook University in Cairns this Thursday and Friday.

The Department of Communities disaster recovery training strategy will ensure staff are well prepared to provide timely, coordinated and effective community recovery services.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt says the training will increase the knowledge and skills of staff across the department’s 10 regions so they can respond quickly and efficiently to different levels and types of events.

“I am enormously proud of the outstanding efforts of departmental staff following Tropical Cyclone Larry, and that experience has reinforced the importance of our being ready to go when the need arises.

“We are now working to identify the learning needs of each region, so we can tailor the training strategy to address those needs,” Mr Pitt said.

“We also need to ensure the training and response mechanisms are in line with Queensland’s broader emergency management arrangements.

“In the meantime, interim training is underway to give staff the practical skills and confidence to assist people affected by emergency events.”

While Cyclone Larry is the most recent example of disaster recovery assistance, staff have helped people in the aftermath of bushfires, floods, aircraft and rail crashes.

“Staff and the department’s partner support agencies also assisted people returning to Australia after the Bali bombings as well as evacuees from trouble spots overseas, such as the Solomon Islands,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said key senior personnel would be trained at Emergency Management Australia, at Mt Macedon, Victoria, the nation’s premier disaster training facility.

Training for other staff will be conducted jointly by the department’s Disaster Recovery Management Unit, and Emergency Management Queensland in the Department of Emergency Services.

“This approach will strengthen ongoing partnerships and working relationships with other response agencies and ensure consistency of practice,” Mr Pitt said.

Another key project will develop the support capability for different events and during progressive phases in disaster recovery.

“The project is focussing on enhanced data management, the administration of financial assistance and other resources to support the delivery of effective recovery services at local and regional levels,” Mr Pitt said.

“It will also clarify and establish agreement on roles and responsibilities of all disaster recovery partners throughout the phases of recovery.”

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280