24/7 disaster watch desk starts tomorrow

The Queensland Government's new 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week disaster monitoring unit will start operations tomorrow morning (Monday, 7 July).

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the Department of Emergency Services' 24/7 Watch Desk would improve responses to disaster situations and warnings, and provide advice to emergency service personnel in affected communities.

"Until now the Department's State Disaster Coordination Centre has operated effectively, but with officers being on-call after hours, on weekends and public holidays," Mr Roberts said.

"The new 24/7 Watch Desk will mean staff will be monitoring warnings and developments and act as a permanent contact for all operational issues, in every hour of every day."

"The response to the severe flooding across Queensland this year was tremendous, but having a permanently staffed office will be more efficient and effective and strengthen our initial response to future disasters and incidents."

"The Watch Desk will be staffed on shift rotation by five full-time and one part-time operational officers, who bring a wealth of disaster management and emergency experience from Queensland, Victoria and the UK with them."

"They will be our dedicated eyes and ears alert to any developing incidents or warnings at all times. They will help ensure we remain on the front foot in preparing and responding to natural disasters."

Mr Roberts said 2007-08 had been a very busy year for the State Disaster Coordination Centre with more than 3300 warnings, advices and bulletins and received and assessed and 2165 of those requiring its follow-up action.

The Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service already operated on 24/7 basis.

6 July 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350