COOTAMUNDRA - LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT … · 2013-06-24 · PART 4 - CONTROL, COORDINATION AND...

CHAIRCOOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL

0429 423744

FUNCTIONAL AREA REPRESENTATIVES

LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER

EMERGENCY SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES

AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL HEALTH SERVICES

POLICE02 69420099

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICER

COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL02 694020100

POLICE02 69420099

AMBULANCE02 69424827

NSW FIRE BRIGADES02 69422900

RURAL FIRE SERVICES02 63863170

STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES02 69781039

COOTAMUNDRA HOSPITAL02 69420444

SALVATION ARMY

COOTAMUNDRA - LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

http://cootamundra.local-e.nsw.gov.au/

http://cootamundra.local-e.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/home_page

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/home_page

http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/services/ahs/greater_southern.html

http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/aue/

Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) for Cootamundra Shire

3rd Edition - APPROVED – (insert date) 1

Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN)

For

COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE

3rd Edition – 13th APRIL 2005

an approved Plan under the Section 23 (1) of the

STATE EMERGENCY & RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT 1989 (as amended)


3rd Edition - 2005 3

TITLE Local Disaster Plan (Displan) for Cootamundra Shire 3rd Edition – 13TH April 2005

AUTHORISATION

The Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) for Cootamundra Shire has been prepared by the Local Emergency Management Committee for Cootamundra Shire in accordance with Section 29.1 of State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 Section 23 (1). APPROVED

.................................. CHAIRPERSON LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE For COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE Date 13 /4 /2005 ENDORSED Endorsed by Terry Collins CHAIRPERSON SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS DISTRICT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Date 30/ 5 /05



CONTENTS Page Title, Authorisation, Approval and Endorsement ......................................................................2 Contents ..................................................................................................................................3-5 Record of Approvals, Endorsements and Amendments ............................................................6 Distribution List ......................................................................................................................7-9 Definitions...........................................................................................................................10-19 Abbreviations...........................................................................................................................20

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION Legislative Basis……………………………………………………………………………21 Aim .........................................................................................................................................21 Objectives ................................................................................................................................21 Purpose.....................................................................................................................................22 Scope........................................................................................................................................22 Planning Assumptions .............................................................................................................22 Principles..................................................................................................................................22 Activation for Bushfires……………………………………………………………………..23 Activation for Floods and Storm/Tempest………………………………………………..24 Area covered by this DISPLAN ..............................................................................................24 Map of Cootamundra Shire......................................................................................................24 Transport routes .......................................................................................................................25 Water storages and waterways.................................................................................................25 Airports ....................................................................................................................................25 Sources of Risk ...................................................................................................................25-27 PART 2 - PREVENTION Responsibilities and Strategies ...........................................................................................28-29 PART 3 – PREPARATION AND PLANNING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING Emergency Risk Management Process………………………………………………....30 Risk Identification, Analysis, Evaluation and Treatment……………………………….30 Community Vulnerability…………………………………………………………………...30 LOCAL PLANNING Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC)……………………………………30 Supporting Plans……………………………………………………………………………32 Sub Plans……………………………………………………………………………………32 Arrangements for Reviewing, Testing, Evaluating and Maintaining This Plan……....32 Local Displan………………………………………………………………………………..32 Resource and Contact Directories………………………………………………………..33 Warning Arrangements…………………………………………………………………….33 Responsibility for Providing Warnings to the Community………………………………33 STANDARD EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNAL (SEWS)…………………………….34 Authority to Use SEWS...............................................................................................35 Public Education………………………………………………………………………. 35-36 PART 4 - CONTROL, COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATIONS LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER (LEOCON) ..........................37 TYPES OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Combat Agency Managed Operations…………………………………………………...37 Operations Controlled by The LEOCON…………………………………………………37 Operational Control/Coordination Relationships………………………………………..38



Local Emergency Operations Centre (LEOC).........................................................................38 Agency and Functional Area Control and Coordination………………………………..39 Agency and Functional Area Control / Coordination Centres.................................................39 Local Emergency Operations Centres (LEOC)………………………………………….40 Liaison Officer Arrangements .................................................................................................40 Communications ......................................................................................................................40 Information and Intelligence....................................................................................................41 Media Arrangements……………………………………………………………………....41 Release of Information………………………………………………………………….…42 Media Coverage……………………………………………………………………………42 Road Information .....................................................................................................................43 PART 5 - ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES General.....................................................................................................................................44 Responsibility for Controlling Particular Emergencies………………………………….44 LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER Roles………………………………………………………………………………………...45 Site Controllers……………………………………………………………………………..46 LIAISON OFFICERS Roles…………………………………………………………………………………………46 FUNCTIONAL AREA COORDINATION AT LOCAL LEVEL…………………….......47 PARTICIPATING AND SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS.................................... 47

Agricultural & Animal Services Functional Area ......................................................48 Ambulance Service of NSW........................................................................................49 Communication Services Functional Area ..................................................................50 Engineering Services Functional Area.........................................................................51 Environmental Services Functional Area ....................................................................52 Health Services Functional Area .................................................................................53 Public Information Services.........................................................................................54 NSW Fire Brigades ......................................................................................................55 NSW Police..................................................................................................................56 Rural Fire Service ........................................................................................................57 NSW State Emergency Service ...................................................................................58 Transport Services .......................................................................................................59 Welfare Services……………………………………………………………………60

Other Agencies and Organisations Cootamundra Shire Council.........................................................................................61

Rescue ..........................................................................................................................61 PART 6 – EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS ACTIVATION AT A LOCAL LEVEL ...............................................................................62 ACTIVATION OF RESPONSE Stages of Activation Alert .............................................................................................................................63

Stand-by .......................................................................................................................63 Callout .........................................................................................................................64 Stand Down .................................................................................................................64

RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT..............................................................................................65 LOGISTIC SUPPORT ..........................................................................................................65 EXPENDITURE AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS ..............................................................65 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ASSISTANCE ADF Policy………………………………………………………………………..…66 Category 1…………………………………………………………………………..66 Other Categories……………………………………………………………………66



Note………………………………………………………………………………….67 USAR Resources…………………………………………………………………..67 EVACUATIONS Decision……………………………………………………………………………..67 Authority……………………………………………………………………………..68 Evacuation Warnings………………………………………………………………69 Withdrawal…………………………………………………………………………..69 Shelter……………………………………………………………………………….70 Return………………………………………………………………………………..70 ROAD CLOSURES Authority to Close Roads………………………………………………………70-71 Advice of Road Closures…………………………………………………………..72 Logistic Support (Supply of Goods and Services)………………………………72 Expenditure and Recovery of Funds……………………………………………..72 STAND DOWN AND OPERATIONAL DEBRIEFS…………………………………….73 PART 7 –RECOVERY EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATIONS Principles…………………………………………………………………………....74 Planning for Recovery……………………………………………………………..75 Recovery at Local Level…………………………………………………………...75 Local Recovery Coordinators…………………………………………………..…76 Higher Level Recovery Coordinators…………………………………………….76 Recovery at District Levels……………………………………………………..…76 Recovery at State Level…………………………………………………………...76 Long Term Recovery……………………………………………………………....76 Recovery Centres………………………………………………………………..…77 Emergency Financial Assistance…………………………………………………78 PART 8 – ANNEXES………………………………………………………………….79 A Local Supporting Plans and Sub Plans………………………………………....80 B Local Control / Coordination Centres (Restricted)……………………………..81 C Operational Control and Coordination Relationships……………………….82-84



AMENDMENT LIST

1. Suggested amendments or addition to this Disaster Plan are to be sent to:- The Chairperson Local Emergency Management Committee For Cootamundra Shire Box 420, Cootamundra, N.S.W. 2590 Fax 6940 2127 Email [email protected] 2. Amendments are to be certified in the following table.

EDITION or

AMENDMENT

AUTHORITY

ENTERED

NUMBER

DATED

APPROVED

ENDORSED

SIGNATURE

DATE

1st Edition

11th October

1993

2nd Edition

8th March

2000

USAR

Amendment

13th May

2002

LEMC Meeting

9 May 2002

3rd Edition

……………

LEMC Meeting 13 April 2005

DISTRIBUTION



APPOINTMENT/ORGANISATION

NUMBER

of CDs ISSUED

Local Emergency Operations Controller

1

Local Emergency Operations Officer

1

DISTRICT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLERS for

Southern Highlands District

1

LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES and

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRES for Cootamundra Shire

2

Southern Highlands District 2

Gundagai Shire 2

Junee Shire 2

Harden Shire 2

Young Shire 2

Temora Shire 2

LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICE ORGANISATIONS

Ambulance Service – Station Officer Cootamundra

1

NSW Rural Fire Service – Fire Control Officer

2

NSW Fire Brigades - Captain Cootamundra Brigade

2

NSW Police Service - Local Area Commander

2

2




NUMBER

of CDs ISSUED

State Emergency Service – Local Controller

Local Organisations providing services in FUNCTIONAL AREAS

Agricultural Services NSW Agriculture – Emergency Liaison Officer

1

Communication Services Telstra

1

Engineering Services Cootamundra Council – Director Technical Services

1

Environmental Services Cootamundra Council - Environmental Officer

1

Health Services Cootamundra Hospital - CEO Cootamundra Community Health Centre - CEO Cootamundra Mental Health Unit - Manager

1 1 1

Transport Services Cootamundra Council

1

Welfare Services Department of Community Services

1

Salvation Army Emergency Services

1

LOCAL SPECIAL ADVISORS

OTHER

Cootamundra Shire Council – General Manager

1

1




NUMBER

of CDs ISSUED

Cootamundra Library Southern Highlands District Emergency Management Officer

1



DEFINITIONS

NOTE:

The definitions used in this Plan are sourced from the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended) other New South Wales legislation and the Macquarie Dictionary (2nd Edition, 1991). Where possible, the reference source is identified as part of the definition (eg the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended), is identified as the SERM Act).

Act

means the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended) (SERM Act) Agency

means a government agency or a non-government agency (source SERM Act). Agency Controller

in this Plan means the statutory head of the agency, who has command of the resources of the particular combat agency.

Casual volunteer

means a person who : Assists an accredited rescue unit in carrying out a rescue operation with

the consent of the person in charge of the rescue operation, or

Assists, on his or her own initiative, in a rescue operation or otherwise in response to an emergency in circumstances in which the assistance was reasonably given.

Source : SERM Act Civil Defence

means the performance of some or all of the 15 humanitarian tasks intended to protect the civilian population against the dangers and to help it recover from the immediate effects of hostilities, and also to provide the necessary conditions for its survival. (Source : Article 61 of Protocol 1 (1977) additional to the 1949 Geneva Convention)

Combat Agency

means the agency identified in DISPLAN as the agency primarily responsible for responding to a particular emergency. Source : SERM Act

Combat Agency Managed Operation

in this plan means an emergency operation controlled by the combat agency, with support coordinated either by the combat agency or by an Emergency Operations Controller.

Command

means the direction of members and resources of an agency in the performance of that agency’s roles and tasks. Authority to command is established by legislation or by agreement within the Agency. Command relates to agencies only and operates vertically within that agency.

Concept of Operations

In this plan refers to the Emergency Operations Controller’s general idea or notion, given the anticipated problems of the effects of the event, of how the emergency



response and initial recovery operation is to be conducted. It is a statement of the Emergency Operations Controller’s operational intentions and may be expressed in terms of stages and or phases of the emergency operation.

Control

means the overall direction of the activities, agencies or individuals concerned. Control operates horizontally across all agencies, organisations, functions and individuals. Situations are controlled. (source SERM Act)

Coordination

means the bringing together of agencies and individuals to ensure effective emergency or rescue management, but does not include the control of agencies and individuals by direction. Resources are coordinated (source SERM Act)

Disaster

means an occurrence, whether or not due to natural causes, that causes loss of life, injury, distress or danger to persons, or loss of, or damage to, property. (Source: Community Welfare Act, 1987).

Disaster affected person

See “victim”. Displan

in this Plan means State, District or Local Disaster Plan. District

the State is divided into such districts as the Minister may determine by order published in the Gazette. Any such order may describe the boundaries of a district by reference to Police districts, local government areas, maps or otherwise.

In this Plan the Southern Highlands Emergency Management District includes ALL of the following Local Council Areas :- Boorowa Shire Cootamundra Shire Goulburn/Mulwaree Shire Gundagai Shire Harden Shire Tumut Shire Upper Lachlan Shire Weddin Shire Yass Valley Shire Young Shire

District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) means the committee established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, as amended, which at District level is responsible for preparing plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the District (District DISPLAN) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the State Emergency Management Committee. (Source : SERM Act).

District Emergency Management Officer (DEMO)

means the person appointed under the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989, as amended, as the Executive Officer to the District Emergency Management Committee and the District Emergency Operations Controller. (Source : SERM Act)

District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC)



in this Plan means the facility established at Southern Highlands District level, from which the control of District level emergency operations and coordination of resources is effected.

District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON)

in this Plan means the Region Commander of Police, appointed by the Commissioner of Police as the District Emergency Operations Controller for each emergency management district. The DEOCON for the Southern Highlands Emergency Management District is the Region Commander of Police, Southern Rivers Police Region. (Source : SERM Act)

Emergency

means an emergency due to the actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood. storm, earthquake, explosion, accident, epidemic, terrorist act or warlike action) which: (a) endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons in the State;

or (b) destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in the

State; being an emergency which requires a significant and coordinated response. (Source : SERM Act) For the purposes of the definition of emergency, property in the State includes any part of the environment of the State. Accordingly, a reference in the Act to:

(a) threats or danger to property includes a reference to threats or danger to the environment, and (b) the protection of property includes reference to the protection of the environment.

Emergency Area Means the area in which the State of Emergency is declared to exist (Source – SERM Act) Emergency Officer

means the Director General of the NSW State Emergency Service or a person appointed as an Emergency Officer under Section 15 of the State Emergency Service Act 1989. A person may be appointed as an Emergency Officer even if not a member of the State Emergency Service. (Source : SERM Act)

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

in this Plan means a centre established at State, District or Local level as a centre for the coordination of operations and support during an emergency. (Source : SERM Act)

Emergency Risk Management

In this Plan means the process approved by the State Emergency Management Committee and published in the Implementation Guide for Emergency Management Committees.

Emergency Services Officer

means a Police Officer, an Officer of the NSW Fire Brigades of or above the position of station commander, an officer of the State Emergency Service of or above the opposition of Unit Controller, or a divisional executive officer or the Director



Operations of that Service, a member of the Rural Fire Service of or above the position of deputy captain, or a District Emergency Management Officer. (Source : SERM Act)

Emergency Service Organisation (ESO)

means the Police Service, Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Service, Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association, or any other agency which manages or controls an accredited rescue unit. (Source : SERM Act)

Essential Services

for the purposes of the Essential Services Act, 1988, a service is an essential service if it consists of any of the following:

a. the production, supply or distribution of any form of energy, power or fuel or of energy, power or fuel resources;

b. the public transportation of persons or freight; c. the provision of fire fighting services; d. the provision of public health services (including hospital or medical

services); e. the provision of ambulance services; f. the production, supply or distribution of pharmaceutical products; g. the provision of garbage, sanitary cleaning or sewerage services; h. the supply or distribution of water; i. the conduct of a welfare institution; j. the conduct of a prison; k. a service declared to be an essential service under subsection (2); l. a service comprising the supply of goods or services necessary for providing

any service referred to in paragraphs (a) – (k). Evacuation Assembly Area

means a facility, area or centre to which persons are directed to go to immediately upon being evacuated from their homes or locality, where they may stay for a short time before returning to their homes OR proceeding to a Welfare Centre for a longer stay or have their longer term needs met. An evacuation assembly area may also be a venue for Disaster Victim Registration, triage and/or the meeting of the immediate needs of evacuated persons.

Functional Area

means a category of services involved in preparations for an emergency, including the following: a. Agricultural and Animal Services; b. Communications Services c. Energy and Utilities d. Engineering Services; e. Environmental Services; f. Health Services; g. Public Information Services; h. Transport Services; i. Welfare Services; (Source : SERM Act)

Functional Area Coordinator

In this Plan means the nominated coordinator of a Functional Area, tasked to coordinate the provision of Functional Area support and resources for emergency response and



initial recovery operations, who, by agreement of the Participating and Supporting Organisations within the Functional Area, has the authority to commit the resources of those organisations.

Government Agency

Means: (a) a government department or administrative office as defined in the Public Sector

Management Act 1988; (b) a public authority, being a body (whether incorporated or not) established by or

under the Act for a public purpose, other than: (i) the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly or a committee of either

or both of these bodies, or (ii) a court or other judicial tribunal.

(c) The Police Service (d) A local government council or other local authority; or (e) A member or officer of an agency referred to in paragraphs (a) – (d) or any other

person in the service of the Crown who has statutory functions, other than; (i) the Governor, the Lieutenant-Governor or the Administrator of the State; (ii) a Minister of the Crown; (iii) a Member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly or an

officer of that Council or Assembly, or (iv) a judicial officer

(Source – SERM Act) Hazard

means a potential or existing condition that may cause harm to people or damage to property or the environment.

Hazardous Material

means anything that, when produced, stored, moved, used or otherwise dealt with without adequate safeguards to prevent it from escaping, may cause injury or death or damage to property. (Source : Fire Brigades Act 1989 (as amended))

Hazardous Materials Incident

means and actual or impending land-based spillage or other escape of hazardous material that causes or threatens to cause injury or death or damage to property. (source : Fire Brigades Act 1989 (as amended))

Incident

means a localised event, either accidental or deliberate which may result in death, injury or damage to property which requires normal response from a combat agency or agencies. An incident becomes an emergency when the resources of the combat agency are insufficient to deal with the incident and outside resources are desirable or required. Those resources now require coordination.

Joint Media Advisory Centre

A location which would provide the media with : - a centralised point of contact - media liaison arrangements and the names of Media Liaison Officers - verification of information - timely, accurate and consistent information - Public Information contact arrangements



Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) means a person appointed by Council under Section 32 of the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended) to provide executive support to the Local Emergency Management Committee and the Local Emergency Operations Controller.

Liaison Officer (LO)

In this Plan means a person, nominated or appointed by an organisation or functional area, to represent that organisation or functional area at a control centre, an emergency operations centre or coordination centre. A liaison officer maintains communication with and conveys directions/requests to, their organisation or functional area, and provides advice on the status, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area. (Source : State DISPLAN)

Local Area

in this plan means an area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 and includes a combined local government area as referred to in Section 27 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended).

Local Disaster Plan (Local Displan)

means the Disaster Plan for a local Government area. The object of a local Displan is to ensure a graduated and coordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies.

Local Government Area (LGA)

means an area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 and includes combined local government areas as referred to in section 27 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989, (as amended). (Source : SERM Act)

Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)

means a Police Officer appointed by the District Emergency Operations Controller as the Local Emergency Operations Controller for the Local Area. (Source : Section 30 of the SERM Act)

Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC)

means the committee established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, (as amended), which at local level is responsible for the preparation of plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the local government area (Local DISPLAN) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the relevant District Emergency Management Committee. (Source : SERM Act)

Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO)

means a person appointed as the principle executive officer to the Local Emergency Management Committee and the Local Emergency Operations Controller (Source : SERM Act)

Logistics in this plan means the range of operational activities concerned with the supply, handling, transportation and distribution of materials. Also applicable to the transport of people.



Marshalling Area

in this Plan means an area in where resources congregate prior to allocation of tasks.

Minister means the Minister for Emergency Services Non Government Agency

means a voluntary agency or any other private individual or body, other than a government agency. (Source: SERM Act).

Participating Organisation

in this Plan means the Government Departments, statutory authorities, volunteer organisations and other agencies, who have either given formal notice to Agency Controllers, Functional Agency Coordinators, or have acknowledged to the State, District or Local Emergency Management Committee that they are willing to participate in emergency management response and initial recovery operations under the direction of the Controller of a Combat Agency or Coordinator of a functional area, with the levels of resources or support as appropriate to the emergency operation. (Source : State DISPLAN)

Plan

In this plan means the step by step sequence for the conduct of a single or series of connected emergency operations to be carried out simultaneously or in succession. It is usually based upon stated assumptions, and is a promulgated record of a previously agreed set of roles, responsibilities, functions, actions and management arrangements. The designation ‘plan’ is usually used in preparing for emergency operations well in advance. A plan may be put into effect at a prescribed time, or on a signal, and then becomes the basis for the emergency operation order for that emergency operation. (Source – State Displan)

Preparation

in relation to an emergency includes arrangements or plans to deal with an emergency or the effects of an emergency. (Source : SERM Act)

Prevention

in relation to an emergency includes the identification of hazards, the assessment of threats to life and property and the taking of measures to reduce potential loss to life or property. (Source – State Displan)

Recovery

in relation to an emergency includes the process of returning an affected community to its normal level of functioning after an emergency (Source: SERM Act).

Rescue

means the safe removal of persons or animals from actual or threatened danger of physical harm (Source: SERM Act).

Rescue Unit



Means a unit (comprising a group of persons) which carries out rescue operations for the protection of the public or sections of the public

(Source: SERM Act) Response

in relation to an emergency means the process of combating an emergency and of providing immediate relief for persons affected by an emergency (Source: SERM Act).

Roads Authority

means officers of the Roads and Traffic Authority and Council authorised under the Roads Act 1993.

Senior Emergency Officer means any of the following: a police officer of or above the rank of sergeant or a police officer for the time being in charge of a police station, an officer of the New South Wales Fire Brigades of or above the rank of station Commander, an officer of the State Emergency Service of or above the rank of unit controller, or a divisional executive officer or the Director, Operations of that Service, a member of the Rural Fire Service of or above the position of deputy captain, a District Emergency Management Officer. (Source: State Emergency Service Act).

Site Controller

A Police Officer appointed by, and subject to, the direction of the emergency operations controller, to be responsible for determining the site, establishing site control and controlling the on ground response to the emergency. Until the emergency operations controller appoints a site controller, the senior police officer (at the scene) will assume control.

Site Control The location from which the Sire Controller, agency commanders and functional area

coordinate the emergency. It usually includes the relevant Emergency Service Commanders and Functional Area Coordinators and other advisors as required.

Source of risk In this plan means a situation or condition with potential for loss or harm to people, property or the environment and has the same meaning as “hazard”.

State Emergency Management Committee

Means the committee constituted under the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended) as the principal committee established under this Act for the purposes of emergency management throughout the State, and , in particular, is responsible for emergency planning at State level. (Source – State Displan)

State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON)

means the person appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, responsible, in the event of an emergency which affects more that one District, for controlling the allocation of resources in response to the emergency. The State Emergency Operations Controller is to establish and control a State Emergency Operations Centre. (Source : SERM Act)



State Emergency Management structure In this plan the emergency management structure of New South Wales consists of State, District and Local emergency management committees and emergency operations centres at State, District and Local levels, which provides for the control and coordination of emergency response and initial recovery operations by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies. (Source – State Displan)

State of Emergency

means a state of emergency declared by the Premier under Section 33(1) of the SERM Act. (Source: SERM Act) NOTE: other New South Wales legislation also provides for a declaration of an

emergency which has different meanings and different authorities within that specific legislation. eg: Essential Services Act 1988, Dam Safety Act 1978 and Bush Fire Act 1949 (as amended)

State Waters

means; (a) the territorial sea adjacent to the State; (b) the sea on the landward side of the territorial sea adjacent to the State

that is not within the limits of the State; (c) other waters within the limits of the State prescribed by the regulations

for the purposes of this definition. The Act provides that State waters consist of the territorial sea from the low water mark seaward for 3 nautical miles as well as those waters prescribed by the Marine Pollution Regulation. The Regulation prescribes the following ports as being State waters (north to south): • Yamba • Newcastle • Sydney • Botany Bay • Port Kembla • Eden

Sub Plan

In this Plan means an action plan required for a specific hazard, critical task or special event. It is prepared when the management arrangements necessary to deal with the effects of the hazard, or the critical task or special event, differ from the general coordination arrangements set out in the main or supporting plans for the area. (source – State Displan)

Supporting Organisation

in this plan means the Government Departments, statutory authorities, volunteer organisations and other specialist agencies who have indicated a willingness to participate and provide specialist support resources to a combat agency controller or functional area coordinator, during emergency operations. (Source : State DISPLAN)

Supporting Plan

In this plan means a plan prepared by an agency / organisation or functional area , which describes the support which is to be provided to the controlling or coordinating authority during emergency operations. It is an action plan which describes how the



agency / organisation or functional area is to be coordinated in order to fulfil the roles and responsibilities allocated (Source – State Displan)

Victim

means a sufferer from any destructive , injurious, or adverse action or agency. In this plan means any person adversely affected by an emergency.

Welfare Centre

in this Plan means any centre established to provide welfare services to disaster victims. It may be an Evacuation Centre, Disaster Relief/Recovery Centre, Welfare Assembly Centre, One Stop Relief Centre and Accommodation Centre.



ABBREVIATIONS ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

ADF Australian Defence Forces

CBR Chemical, Biological or Radiological emergencies

DACC Defence Assistance to the Civil Community

DEMC District Emergency Management Committee

DEMO District Emergency Management Officer

DEOC District Emergency Operations Centre

DEOCON District Emergency Operations Controller

Displan State, District or Local Disaster Plan

DOCs Department of Community Services

EOC Emergency Operations Centre

EOCON Emergency Operations Controller

EPA Environment Protection Authority

HAZMAT Hazardous materials

JMIC Joint Media Information Centre

LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee

LEMO Local Emergency Management Officer

LEOC Local Emergency Operations Centre

LEOCON Local Emergency Operations Controller

LEP Local Environmental Plan

LO Liaison Officer

NSWFB New South Wales Fire Brigade

RFB Rural Fire Brigade

RTA Roads and Traffic Authority

SEMC State Emergency Management Committee

SEOC State Emergency Operations Centre

SEOCON State Emergency Operations Controller

SERM Act State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended)

SES NSW State Emergency Service

SITREP Situation report

SO Standing Order/s

SOP Standing Operating Procedures

TOC Transport Operations Centre

SRA State Rail Authority

VRA Volunteer Rescue Association



PART 1 INTRODUCTION

LEGISLATIVE BASIS 101 The Government of New South Wales enacted the State Emergency Management Act,

1989 (as amended) in recognition of the need for effective control and coordination of emergency response and recovery operations.

102 Section 29 of the Act provides the legislative basis for the preparation of this Local

Displan to record the agreed local arrangements in regards to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the Cootamundra local government area.

AIM 103 The aim of this Displan is to ensure controlled and coordinated response and initial

recovery to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in the Cootamundra Shire Local Government Area. (Section 12 (2) of the SERM Act)

OBJECTIVES 104 The objectives of this DISPLAN are to detail:-

a. responsibilities for the identification, development and implementation of prevention and mitigation strategies;

b. Functional Area roles and responsibilities in preparation for, response to and recovery from, emergencies;

c. the control, coordination and liaison arrangements within Cootamundra Shire;

d. activation and alerting arrangements ;

e. arrangements for the acquisition and coordination of resources;

f. public warning systems and responsibility for implementation ;

g. public information arrangements and public education responsibilities;

h. arrangements for reporting before, during and after an operation, including:-

i) information and intelligence flow during an incident or emergency; ii) arrangements for LEOCON reporting to the DEOCON; and iii) responsibilities for the preparation of post emergency reports; and

i. arrangements for the review, testing, evaluation and maintenance of this

DISPLAN. PURPOSE



105 This plan details arrangements for the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies within the Cootamundra Shire.

106 It covers arrangements where :

a. A combat agency is in control, and no support is required, b. A combat agency is in control and supported by the LEOCON. c. There is no combat agency, and d. A combat agency has handed control over to the LEOCON

SCOPE 107 This DISPLAN provides for mobilisation of all agencies and all resources in the

emergency management structure and within the Cootamundra Shire, for the conduct of emergency prevention, preparation, response and initial recovery operations only.

108 Long term recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation measures are the subject of

separate arrangements. However, the LEOCON is responsible to advise the DEOCON on appropriate measures from initial recovery operations to long term recovery / reconstruction operations, and for subsequent liaison with any appointed Recovery Coordinator or reconstruction authority.

PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS 109 The effectiveness of this DISPLAN is dependant upon all involved agencies preparing,

testing and maintaining their own appropriate internal instructions and/or Standing Operating Procedures.

110 Arrangements in this DISPLAN are based on the assumption that the resources upon

which the DISPLAN relies, are available when required. PRINCIPLES 111 The following principles apply to this DISPLAN :-

a Responsibility for preparation, response and recovery rests initially at Local level. If Local agencies and available resources cannot cope they are augmented by those at District level. If necessary, resources and support, coordinated from the State, and/or resources provided from the Commonwealth and other States and Territories may be used.

b Control of emergency response and recovery operations is conducted

at the lowest effective level.

c Agencies may deploy additional resources from their own agency from outside the affected local area, to meet the requirements of the designated combat agency or emergency operations controller.

d During an operation which is the legal responsibility of a combat agency,



the Emergency Operations Controller is responsible, when so requested by that combat agency, to coordinate the provision of support resources. The Emergency Operations Controller is responsive to the requirements of the Controller / Coordinator of the combat agency. Emergency Operations Controllers would not normally assume control from the combat agency unless the situation can no longer be contained and a change of control is likely to improve matters. In any case, a change of control at any level can only occur after consultation between SEOCON and the State Controller of the combat agency, and agreement from the latter, or at the direction of the Minister.

e Combat Agency Controllers are required to keep Emergency Operations

Controllers advised of the situation during emergency operations which are their responsibility.

f In the event that an Emergency Operations Controller has assumed

control of an operation which would normally be the responsibility of a combat agency, control should be passed back to the combat agency as soon as the situation is stabilised and when change of control will not adversely affect operations.

g Emergency preparation, response and recovery operations should be

conducted with all agencies carrying out their normal functions wherever possible.

h Prevention measures remain the responsibility of authorities / agencies

charged by statute with the responsibility ACTIVATION FOR BUSHFIRES 112 Under the provisions of the Rural Fires Act, 1997, a “bush fire emergency” may be

declared and a person appointed to take charge of fire fighting operations and fire prevention measures by the Commissioner, under the provisions of Section 44 of the Act, as the “Commissioner’s delegate”.

113 In the above case, the Displan for the Local Area or District to which the declaration

applies is automatically active and Police, the other Emergency Services and Functional Areas are to provide support as required by the Combat Agency Controller. The Local or District Emergency Operations Controller is then to be prepared to coordinate support if requested by the “Commissioners delegate”.

ACTIVATION FOR FLOODS AND STORM / TEMPEST 114 Subject to the requirements and provisions of the SERM Act, and under the provisions

of the SES Act, for the emergencies of flood and damage control for storms and tempest, including the coordination of evacuation and welfare of affected communities, the overall control of operations in response to these emergencies is vested in the Director General of the State Emergency Service.



115 In both flood, or storm / tempest emergencies, the Displan for the District and / or any Local Area to which the emergency applies is automatically active and Police, the other Emergency Services and Functional Areas are to provide support as required by the Combat Agency Controller. The Local or District Emergency Operations Controller is then to be prepared to coordinate support if requested by the appointed Local / Division State Emergency Service Controller.

116. AREA COVERED BY THIS PLAN

(

(

(

(

(

(

Shireof

Cootamundra

COOTAMUNDRA

WALLENDBEEN

STOCKINBINGAL

JINDALEE

BRAWLIN

FRAMPTON



117 TRANSPORT ROUTES The main transport routes through the local area are:

a. Road • The Olympic Highway • The Burley Griffin Way • Muttama Road (B Double Route) • Stockinbingal Road

b. Rail

• Sydney/Melbourne Rail Line • Western Rail Line

118 WATERWAYS, WATER STORAGES AND LAKES The main bodies of water in the local area are:

a. Rivers • Nil

b. Water Storages

• Nil 119 AIRPORTS The airports located in the local area:

• Cootamundra Aerodrome (Registered Aerodrome) SOURCES OF RISK 120 The emergency situations which could require LOCAL level support and/or control

are:-

# RISK RATING

ESTIMATES

SOURCE OF RISK

PROBABILITY CONSEQUENCE

COMMENTS

Bush Fire

High

Moderate to Major Level of Risk High to Extreme

Combat Agency - Rural Fire Service (refer to South West Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for details). Evacuations may be required.

Earthquake

Remote

Moderate to Major Level of Risk Moderate to High

LEOCON to control. Remote threat throughout the area.

Environmental Emergency

Moderate

Moderate to Major Level of Risk

Combat Agency – Environment Protection Authority in accordance with State Enviroplan with Local/District support.



# RISK RATING

ESTIMATES

SOURCE OF RISK


COMMENTS

High to Extreme

Exotic animal or plant disease

Low

Major Level of Risk Extreme

Combat Agency - NSW Department of Primary Industry. Refer to NSW South East Region Animal Health Emergency Supporting Plan for details.

Flooding (1:100)

low


Combat Agency - NSW State Emergency Service. Refer Lachlan River Flood Sub Plan and Murrumbidgee River Flood Sub Plan. (check if these correct Plan names) Restricted to creek areas

Hazardous Materials Emergency

Moderate


Combat Agency - NSW Fire Brigades Refer to NSW Hazmat Sub-Plan. General threat, but particularly involving transport of hazardous materials through major urban areas on Highways. Also involving spillage near waterways (especially City/Town water supplies). Evacuations may be necessary.

Storm & Tempest

Moderate


Combat Agency - NSW State Emergency Service. General threat throughout the District.

Transport emergency (Rail)

Low


LEOCON to control with District support.

Transport emergency (Road)

Moderate


Police to control initially. If required LEOCON to control with District support. General threat but particularly along Olympic Highway, MR84, MR235 and MR87.

Transport emergency (Aviation)

Low


LEOCON in control supported by, or handing control to DEOCON in accordance with State Aviation Sub Plan. Mainly confined to aviation crashes involving large passenger aircraft, but smaller commuter/light aircraft crashes can have major consequences in remote areas where access difficult and/or resources are limited.

Urban Fire (industrial or commercial)

Moderate

Moderate Level of Risk High

Combat agency - NSW Fire Brigades Confined mainly to Cootamundra. Evacuations may be required.

Utility failure for an extended period (Water, sewage, power)

Low


LEOCON in control of operations and coordinate resource support. Support may be required from DEOCON. The Shire water supply is fed from outside by Goldenfields Water. The Shire power supply is fed from outside by Country Energy



# RISK RATING

ESTIMATES

SOURCE OF RISK


COMMENTS

Both organisations have major plant and equipment failure would impact severely on the community.

# indicates that ratings are estimates only and are yet to be confirmed by an emergency risk management study

Table – Determining Level of Risk Likelihood Consequence

Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Catastrophic Almost certain High High Extreme Extreme Extreme Likely Moderate High High Extreme Extreme Possible Low Moderate High Extreme Extreme Unlikely Low Low Moderate High Extreme Rare Low Low Moderate High High



PART 2 PREVENTION

RESPONSIBILITIES AND STRATEGIES 201 The Local Emergency Management Committee for Cootamundra Shire uses the

Emergency Risk Management process to identify prevention and mitigation options, to refer these options and recommendations to any appropriate agency, and to monitor outcomes.

202 Responsibility for the development and implementation of prevention and mitigation

strategies rests with the agencies, organisations and/or committees detailed below and is NOT subject to Displan arrangements. Strategies implemented are also listed.

SOURCES OF RISK

AGENCY /

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

MITIGATION / PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Animal And Plant Disease

NSW Dept of Primary Industry

- Surveillance by DPI,especially through Australian Quarantine Inspection Service. - State & District Agriculture and Animal Services Plan - AUSTVET PLAN - Training of NSW Agriculture staff in detection of diseases.

Bush And Grass Fires

Local Government Councils Bush Fire Management Committee Fire Agencies - Rural Fire Brigades, NSW Fire Brigades, State Forests of NSW, and National Parks and Wildlife Service and Dept of Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources.

- Require landowners to clear firebreaks & remove fire hazards. - Regulate burning off. - Regulate property development & building construction through Local Environment Plans & Development Control Plans. - Coordinate bushfire management strategies. - Implement bush fire fuel management strategies. - Require landowners and land managers

to remove fire hazards through regular property inspections.

- Regulate fire permits and burning off. - Regulate development applications in

conjunction with Bush Fire Prone land Earthquake

Local Councils - Regulate property development & building construction through Land Environment Plans & Development Control Plans.

Flood - Riverine

Local Councils Dept of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources

- Regulate property development & building construction through Land Environment Plans & Development Control Plans. - Development & maintenance of flood mitigation works. - Preparation of floodplain management plans. - Technical & financial assistance to Local



SOURCES OF

RISK

AGENCY /

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

MITIGATION / PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Government in the preparation of mitigation schemes and floodplain management plans - Technical Assistance to the State Emergency Service in the development of flood plans.

Hazardous Materials And CBR Emergency

Environment Protection Authority Workcover Authority Local Councils

- Regulate transport of dangerous goods. - Assists industry with the development of safe handling and response procedures. - Regulate the production & storage of dangerous goods. - Assists industries that don’t require an EPA licence with the development of safe handling and response procedures.

Landslip Local Councils - Regulate property development & building construction through Land Environment Plans & Development Control Plans.



PART 3 PLANNING and PREPARATION

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING EMERGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

301 The State Emergency Management Committee requires the Local Emergency

Management Committee to conduct emergency risk management studies and reviews that identify, analyse, evaluate and treat community risks. The outputs and outcomes of this process are to form the basis for all emergency management plans developed, reviewed and updated by Local Emergency Management Committee.

RISK IDENTIFICATION, ANALYSIS, EVALUATION AND TREATMENT 302 Only those risks which may require a significant and coordinated multi

agency response are processed by Local Emergency Management Committees

COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY

303 The Emergency Risk Management Process identifies those groups within the

community likely to require special attention in relation to the impact of a source of risk. These groups may include Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Retired Persons Accommodation, Schools, Pre schools, Special Schools, Sheltered Workshops and those parts of the community located in areas affected by sources of risk.

304 Details of those elements and/or parts of the community that are at risk in the

Cootamundra Shire are to be outlined in this Displan.

LOCAL PLANNING LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (LEMC) 305 The Local Emergency Management Committee for Cootamundra Shire is

chaired by a senior representative of the local council with executive support provided by the Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO).

306 The LEMC is subject to the direction of the District Emergency Management

Committee and is to develop and maintain a Local Disaster Plan (Displan) and Sub Plans relating to specific hazards or emergencies. Supporting Plans for Functional Areas are to be developed and maintained by the relevant Functional Area Coordinator if they are required.

307 The mission and functions of Local Emergency Management Committees are:

Mission

To develop, maintain and coordinate comprehensive, all agency emergency management arrangements for the communities within the Cootamundra Shire and to provide assistance and advice to the District Emergency Management



Committee

Functions: a To prepare, maintain and review the Local Disaster Plan (Displan); b Review any Local Supporting Plans and Sub Plans;

c To identify, evaluate and monitor hazards and threats to life and

property within the Cootamundra Shire area, and where appropriate recommend specific hazard management guidelines;

d To establish and review the emergency management structure for

Cootamundra Shire;

e To identify resources within the Cootamundra Shire and make plans for the allocation and coordination of those resources during emergencies;

f To establish and review systems for use in the control and coordination

of emergency operations within the Cootamundra SHire;

g To review and recommend emergency management arrangements to the Southern Highlands District Emergency Management Committee;

h To provide advice on the combination of local government areas for

emergency management purposes to the Southern Highlands District Emergency Management Committee;

i To establish and maintain communication networks between Agencies

& Functional Areas within the local area, including an up to date contact directory;

j To arrange emergency management training for individuals and groups

in Agencies & Functional Areas within the local area;

k To disseminate educational material on established emergency management policies and procedures within the local area;

l To arrange the conduct of exercises to periodically test emergency

management plans and procedures;

m To produce standing orders, instructions and standing operating procedures relative to local emergency management plans and arrangements;

n To arrange for graduated warnings of emergencies to the public;

o To assist the District Emergency Operations Controller as required;

p To establish and coordinate functional area and other sub committees

as required within the local area, and

q To implement emergency risk management and provide advice and assistance as necessary.



SUPPORTING PLANS 308 Supporting Plans describe the arrangements for the provision of support to the

controlling or coordinating body by Functional Areas during operations. The development and maintenance of these plans is the responsibility of the respective Functional Area Coordinator.

309 Any Supporting plans to this Displan are listed in Annex “B”. SUB PLANS 310 Sub Plans describe the arrangements necessary to deal with a specific hazard

/ source of risk, event or facility, where those arrangements are outside the scope of those in Displan. Responsibility for development of sub plans rests with the combat agency responsible for the hazard / source of risk or event or the owner / operator of the facility.

311 Any Sub plans of this Displan are listed in Annex “B”. ARRANGEMENTS FOR REVIEWING, TESTING, EVALUATING AND MAINTAINING THIS PLAN 312 Responsibility for reviewing, testing, evaluating and maintaining this plan rests

with the Cootamundra Local Emergency Management Committee. 313 The plan should be reviewed:

a After each exercise or actual operation (where a deficiency is identified or an amendment is required) ;

b In the event that deficiencies are identified;

c As roles & responsibilities of agencies change;

d In the event of legislative changes; or

e At least every five (5) years.

314 The frequency and method of testing and evaluation are determined by the

LEMC. LOCAL DISPLAN 315 This Displan includes:

a the roles detailed in this Plan for each Agency & Functional Area.

b the Combat Agencies designated in this Plan.

c the activation procedures, stages, sequence of actions and coordination, response and recovery arrangements detailed in this Plan.

316 This Displan also includes arrangements for handover of responsibility for



emergency response and recovery operations between a Combat Agency and the Local Emergency Operations Controller, and from the LEOCON to the DEOCON.

RESOURCE AND CONTACT DIRECTORIES 317 Each Agency is to develop and maintain up-to-date resource and contact

directories, relevant to their operational responsibilities and requirements. WARNING ARRANGEMENTS 318 Relevant Agency controllers are to advise the LEOCON whenever an event

occurs which does or may:

a require support at either a Local level; or

b escalate to a Local level emergency operation. 319 The LEOCON will then notify the District Emergency Operations Controller and

LEOCONs from adjoining local areas of the potential and developing situation.

320 Agencies & Functional Areas, wherever possible, will be warned and placed on stand by. All agencies must be prepared to respond a Liaison Officer to the Local Emergency Operations Centre when requested to do so by the LEOCON.

321 Public warnings may be communicated, by the LEOCON and/or the

responsible agency, using any media considered appropriate. 322 If time permits, emergency and evacuation warnings are to be delivered by

appropriate personnel using a door knock operation and/or mobile public address system.

323 Responsibilities for providing warnings to the community, the LEOCON,

Agencies & Functional Areas and other agencies in relation to local sources of risk, are detailed below.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROVIDING WARNINGS TO THE COMMUNITY

SOURCE OF RISK

RESPONSIBILITY

WARNING PROVIDED

Animal and Plant Disease

NSW Dept of Primary Industry

Warnings to the community, DEOCON, and relevant agencies specific to exotic disease outbreaks & controlled / restricted areas.

Bush And Grass Fire Bureau of Meteorology

NSW Rural Fire Service

General fire weather advice to the community.

Specific warnings & Total Fire Ban advices to the Community, DEOCON & relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

Flooding - Riverine Bureau of Meteorology

NSW State Emergency Service

General weather advice to the community and specific flood warnings and predictions to SES.

Pump & Stock Warnings, Local Flood Advices,



SOURCE OF RISK

RESPONSIBILITY

WARNING PROVIDED

Flood Bulletins, Flood Height Broadcasts & Evacuation Warnings to:-

- flood affected communities;

- the DEOCON; and

- relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

Hazardous Materials and CBR Emergency

Police, Site Controller, EOCON acting on the advice of the NSW Fire Brigades Hazmat Controller

IAHS Public Health Unit

Evacuation warnings, public safety directions and warnings relating to spillages.

Provide health warnings in the event of persons being affected by hazardous materials.

Landslip LEOCON General and Evacuation Warnings to affected communities and relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

Major Structure Collapse

LEOCON General and Evacuation Warnings to affected communities and relevant Agencies & Functional Areas.

Severe Storms and/or Strong Winds and/or Storm Surge

Bureau of Meteorology

NSW State Emergency Service

Severe storm advices and warnings to the wider community, which include SES public safety messages.

General advice and warnings to the DEOCON, LEOCONs and relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

Significant Infrastructure Failure / Damage

Agency responsible for the infrastructure affected.

General advice and warnings to the DEOCON, LEOCONs and relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

Other Warnings LEOCON General and Evacuation Warnings to affected communities and relevant agencies & Functional Areas.

STANDARD EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNAL (SEWS) 324 The broadcast of safety information to the public in an emergency will enable

the community to take appropriate actions to protect life and property. The Standard Emergency Warning Signal is a nationally adopted distinctive sound which may be broadcast over radio or television immediately before an urgent public safety message to alert the public to messages about things they can do to reduce potential loss of life or damage to property.

325 The signal is only to be used to warn the community when they need to take

some urgent and immediate action in order to reduce the potential for loss of life or property from emergency events such as:

a Severe thunderstorms b Gale force winds c Severe floods d Hazardous materials emergencies e Biological hazards



f Earthquake aftershocks g Tsunamis h Dam failure i Bushfires

326 The purpose of SEWS is to:

a Alert listeners / viewers of radio / television that an official emergency announcement, concerning an actual or potential emergency, is about to be made.

b Alert the community at large, via a public address system, to an

important official emergency announcement.

AUTHORITY TO USE SEWS 327 Combat Agency Commanders / Controllers and Emergency Operations

Controllers at Local, District and State levels are authorised to use SEWS for the above purposes.

328 Full instructions for the use of the S.E.W.S. are included in the Standing Operating Procedures for the District Emergency Operations Centre.

PUBLIC EDUCATION 329 Responsibilities for the conduct and coordination of public education relating to

local sources of risk, are detailed below.

Source of risk

AGENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Animal And Plant Disease

The NSW Dept of Primary Industry is responsible for public awareness concerning the implications of animal and plant disease and appropriate strategies for its prevention and detection.

Bush And Grass Fires

The NSW Rural Fire Service coordinates public education programs relating to the bush and grass fire threat throughout the local area

Flooding - Riverine

The Local Controller of the Cootamundra NSW State Emergency Service is responsible for ensuring, as detailed in the Local Flood Plan, that the residents are aware of the flood threat and how to protect themselves against it.

Hazardous Materials and CBR Emergencies

Workcover issue information in relation to handling and safety. Environment Protection Authority conducts Hazmat Incident and Emergency training seminars NSW Fire Brigades issues information relating to safe storage and transport practices.



Source of risk

AGENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY NSW Health (Public Health Unit) provides advice and warnings in the event of persons being affected by hazardous materials.

Severe Storm and/or Strong Winds and/or Storm Surge

The Local SES Controller is responsible for ensuring that the residents of the local area are aware of the likely effects of storm and tempest impact and how to protect themselves against it.



PART 4 CONTROL, COORDINATION AND

COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS THE LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER 401 The DEOCON appoints a Police Officer as the Local Emergency Operation

Controller for the Cootamundra local area. 402 The functions of the LEOCON may be exercised without the need for the

declaration of a “State of Emergency”. 403 The LEOCON is subject to the direction of the DEOCON. 404 The roles and responsibilities of the LEOCON are detailed in Part 5 of this plan. TYPES OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Combat Agency Managed Operations

405 Without limiting the authority of Combat Agency Controllers, Combat Agency

operations may be managed in the following ways:-

a The responsible Combat Agency Controller controls the operation which requires no support resources other than the Combat Agency resources; or

b The responsible Combat Agency Controller:

i controls the operation; ii coordinates pre-planned support from other agencies; and

iii ensures that the LEOCON is kept aware of these operations; or

c The responsible Combat Agency Controller retains overall control of the

operation and requests the LEOCON to:

i Coordinate the support services specified by the Combat Agency Controller; or

ii Manage part of the operation to meet the requirements of the Combat

Agency Controller, (eg. evacuation and welfare operations). OPERATIONS CONTROLLED BY THE LEOCON 406 Operations controlled by the LEOCON are those where:

a The LEOCON is designated in a plan as the controller of a specific operation;

b There is no designated combat agency; or



c The LEOCON is requested by the combat agency to assume control, with the approval of the combat agency head and SEOCON.

407 The LEOCON would not normally assume control from the Combat Agency

unless the situation can no longer be contained and a change of control is likely to improve matters. This can only occur after consultation between SEOCON and the State Controller of the Combat Agency , and agreement from the latter, or at the direction of the Minister.

408 If the LEOCON has assumed control of an operation from the Combat Agency,

control should revert to the combat agency as soon as possible. OPERATIONAL CONTROL / COORDINATION RELATIONSHIPS 409 Operational control and coordination relationships are shown at Annex 'C'. LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (LEOC) 410 The location of the LEOC for Cootamundra Shire is detailed in Annexure B

(Restricted). 411 In the event the LEOC becomes inoperable or is inappropriate, an alternate

LEOC will be established at a location to be determined and advised by LEOCON at the time of the operation.

412 The LEOC is activated by the LEOCON to:

a Control local level emergency operations.

b Coordinate support to Local level emergency operations.

c Coordinate support to combat agency managed operations as required. d Coordinate support to other areas either on a pre-planned basis or as

directed by DEOCON. 413 The LEOCON is responsible for:-

a Establishing, maintaining and controlling the LEOC.

b Preparing and maintaining Standing Operating Procedures for Emergency Operations.

c Ensuring that sufficient trained personnel are available to staff the LEOC

when required.

d Maintaining a contact directory of LEOC staff.

e Providing appropriate training for LEOC staff. 414 Personnel to staff the LEOC, except for Liaison Officers and their assistants,

are drawn from other Agencies & Functional Areas as required. 415 The Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO), as executive officer to the



LEOCON, is responsible for :

a The development and maintenance of the contact directory.

b The development and review of Standing Operating Procedures.

c Staff training. AGENCY & FUNCTIONAL AREA CONTROL & COORDINATION 416 Agencies & Functional Areas are controlled / coordinated at the following

levels:

AGENCY / FUNCTIONAL AREA

LEVEL

EMERGENCY AREA

COVERED Agriculture and Animal Services

Region


Ambulance Service

Sector


Communication Services

District


Engineering Services

District


Environmental Services

State


Fire Brigades

Region


Health Services

Area


Local Government

Local

Cootamundra LGA

Police Service

Region


Public Information Services

District


Rural Fire Service

Zone

South West Slopes Zone

State Emergency Service

Division


Transport Services

District


Welfare Services

Area


AGENCY & FUNCTIONAL AREA CONTROL / COORDINATION CENTRES 417 The locations of Agency & Functional Area Control / Coordination Centres are

detailed in Annexure B (Restricted). LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRES (LEOC) 418 The location of Local Emergency Operations Centres are detailed in Annex B

(Restricted).



LIAISON OFFICER ARRANGEMENTS 419 During local level combat agency managed operations the LEOCON would

normally provide a liaison officer to the combat agency control centre. 420 At the request of the LEOCON, Agencies & Functional Areas are to provide a

Liaison Officer to represent them at the LEOC, if necessary, on a continuous basis for the duration of the operation.

421 Liaison Officers are to be capable of providing immediate advice to the

LEOCON on the capabilities and status of their organisation, agency or functional area.

422 Liaison Officers are to:

a Maintain a communications link between the LEOC and their organisation's control or coordination centre and/or their counterparts at any operational District Emergency Operations Centre.

b Provide advice to the LEOCON and LEOC staff on the capabilities and

status of their organisation.

c Keep the LEOCON and LEOC staff informed of the actions taken by and requirements of their organisation.

d Brief their own organisation on the progress and likely requirements of

operations.

e Convey the LEOCON's directions / requests to their commander, controller or coordinator as appropriate.

COMMUNICATIONS 423 The public switched telephone network is the primary means of communication

to and from the LEOC. 424 Alternate means of communication, should the primary means fail or be unable

to provide sufficient flexibility, are mobile telephones or radio communication systems.

425 Six “DISPLAN “ telephone lines are installed in the LEOC. 426 All Liaison Officers in the LEOC unable to provide their own alternate

communications systems should advise the LEOCON of their requirements. 427 Assistance can then be sought from DEOCON . INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE 428 The LEOCON is responsible for the passage of local operational information

and intelligence in accordance with the Local Emergency Operations Centre , Standing Operating Procedures for Cootamundra Shire.



429 During combat agency managed operations the relevant combat agency

controller is responsible for the passage of public information to the community and the media, and for operational information and intelligence to the LEOCON and all involved agencies.

430 During combat agency managed operations the relevant combat agency

controller may request the LEOCON to assume responsibility for the passage of all or certain classes of operational information and intelligence between agencies.

431 During operations controlled by the LEOCON, the LEOCON is responsible for:-

a The passage of operational information and intelligence between all involved agencies, using the LEOC as the collection, processing and distribution point.

b the passage of public information to the community.

c the release of regular media releases.

d ensuring the DEOCON is kept informed of developments and forecast

support needs. 432 The LEOCONs are responsible for the passage of operational information and

intelligence to the DEOCON during all types of emergency operations.

MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS 433 During operations controlled by a combat agency, whether or not supported by the

LEOCON, media liaison, including the coordination of media briefings and releases, will be the responsibility of the combat agency.

434 During emergencies where there is no combat agency, or the combat agency has

passed control to the LEOCON, media liaison, including the coordination of media briefings and liaison, will be the responsibility of the LEOCON.

435 Arrangements will be made in accordance with the NSW Public Information Services

Functional Area Plan. 436 Where necessary a Joint Media Information Centre (JMIC) will be established to

provide media with a facility which will provide the media with : - a centralised point of contact - media liaison arrangements and the names of Media Liaison Officers - verification of information - timely, accurate and consistent information - Public Information contact arrangements

437 If the Local Emergency Operations Centre is activated a Media Liaison Officer will be appointed.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION



438 NO information is to be released to the Media, outside organisations or individuals, without the authorisation of the appropriate Controller or Public Information Liaison Officer

MEDIA COVERAGE 439 The following are some details in regards to the media coverage in the Cootamundra

Shire 1. Television Stations

Location of

TELEVISION STATIONS

Channel / frequency

LOCAL AREAS COVERED

Wagga Prime Channel 7 All of the Shire Wagga WIN Channel 9 All of the Shire Wagga ABC Channel 2 All of the Shire SBS Television All of the Shire

2. Radio Stations (AM band)

Location of

RADIO STATIONS (AM band)

Call sign / Frequency

LOCAL AREAS COVERED (Reliably, including in vehicle.

Wagga 2WG All of the Shire Wagga ABC All of the Shire Young 2LF All of the Shire Canberra ABC 2CA All of the Shire Orange ABC All of the Shire

3. Radio Stations (FM Band)

Location of

RADIO STATIONS (FM band )

Call sign / Frequency

LOCAL AREAS COVERED (Reliably, including in vehicle.

Young Star FM 93.9 All of the Shire Wagga Star FM 93.1 All of the Shire Wagga ABC 89.9 All of the Shire Young 2YYY FM92.3 Part of Shire - Northern

ROAD INFORMATION 440 A Road Information Cell can be activated by the LEOCON to collect, collate and

disseminate road information during emergency situations.



PART 5

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES GENERAL 501 The primary operational roles of each of the agencies, functional areas and

other organisations described in this part of the plan do not preclude the flexibility to adjust roles or responsibilities if circumstances require such action.

502 The agreed roles and responsibilities of functional area participating and

supporting organisations are detailed in Supporting Plans. 503 The organisations detailed in the following table have been identified in the

NSW State Displan, or by agreement at the District level, as the agencies primarily responsible for controlling the response to the particular emergency.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTROLLING PARTICULAR EMERGENCIES

SOURCE OF RISK / EMERGENCY COMBAT AGENCY / RESPONSIBILITY

Animal and Plant Disease NSW Dept of Primary Industry

Earthquake Appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) under Displan arrangements.

Fires – Rural (Bush, grass and other fires within Rural Fire Districts as prescribed in the Rural Fires Act 1997)

Incident Controller or Officer appointed by the Commissioner, Rural Fire Service, or in accordance with a Bush Fire Management Committee Plan of Operations or Mutual Aid Agreement.

Fires – Urban (Fires within Fire Districts proclaimed under the provisions of the Fire Brigades Act)

NSW Fire Brigades Incident Controller, or in accordance with a Bush Fire Management Committee Plan of Operations or Mutual Aid Agreement.

Flood – Riverine or Flash NSW State Emergency Service

Hazardous Materials and/or CBR Emergency (including transport related hazmat emergencies)

NSW Fire Brigades – rendering safe land based incidents and emergencies, including those on inland and coastal waterways other than State Waters. Port Kembla Port Corporation – rendering safe and clean up State Waters based operations. Environment Protection Authority – clean up operations, scientific support, enforcement and legislative requirements. Illawarra Area Health Service Public Health Unit – Provide advice and health warnings in the event of persons being affected by the hazardous material.

Land Slip Appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) under Displan arrangements.

Major Structure Collapse (USAR) District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON) – control the operation in accordance with the NSW Major Structure Collapse Sub Plan. NSW Fire Brigades – provide and control USAR Task Force including Recon Team, and deploy the USAR Task Force at



SOURCE OF RISK / EMERGENCY COMBAT AGENCY / RESPONSIBILITY the direction of SEOCON or Deputy SEOCON.

Mine Explosion or Collapse Southern Mines Rescue Station.

Severe Storm and/or Strong Winds and/or Storm Surge and/or Coastal Erosion

NSW State Emergency Service.

Significant Infrastructure Failure or Damage.

Appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) under Displan arrangements.

Transport Emergency – Aircraft, Road/Rail, or Marine.

Appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) under Displan arrangements.

Tsunami Appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) under Displan arrangements.

504 The Local Emergency Operations Controller has control responsibility for all

other emergency situations where a combat agency is not designated, including an aviation emergency.

LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER (LEOCON) 505 ROLES

a. Member of the Local Emergency Management Committee for Cootamundra Shire.

b. Chair the Local Rescue Committee for Cootamundra Shire.

c. Activate the arrangements in this Displan as required.

d. Request the Local Area Commander to allocate a Police Officer to perform the

Police duties normally performed by the LEOCON.

e. Activate and staff the Local Emergency Operations Centre for Cootamundra Shire in accordance with the Standing Operating Procedures.

f. Maintain liaison with adjoining Local Emergency Operations Controllers.

g. Monitor local level combat agency managed operations.

h. Coordinate support as requested by the combat agency.

i. Control emergency response and initial recovery operations, when there is no

combat agency or where control has been handed over from a combat agency.

j. Appoint a Senior Operations Officer for the first and subsequent shifts in the Local Emergency Operations Centre.

k. Ensure the District Emergency Operations Controller is kept informed of the

situation.



l. Ensure recovery operations are initiated during the earliest stages of response operations and that the Local Recovery Coordinating Committee for Cootamundra Shire is established (where required) to manage long term recovery issues.

Further information www.oes.nsw.gov.au www.emergency.nsw.gov.au State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 NSW Aviation Emergency Sub Plan

NSW Major Structure Collapse Sub Plan

506 SITE CONTROLLERS

a. Establish a Site Control Point, notify all relevant agencies of its location and requests Liaison Officers from agencies at the site as necessary.

b. Controls the overall situation and coordinates activities and resources of

all agencies at the site.

c. Determines the priority of actions of the individuals or agencies concerned at the site.

d. Ensures that perimeters are established and access to the site is

controlled.

e. In consultation with Ambulance and Medical authorities, designate a treatment / triage area and Ambulance loading area, if required.

f. Designate equipment / personnel assembly areas. marshalling areas,

rest areas, media assembly / briefing area and evacuation assemble areas, as required.

g. Designate a helicopter landing area if required.

h. Arrange through the EOCON additional support resources as required.

i. Provide Situation Reports (SITREPS) to the EOCON if requested.

j. Through agency commanders, coordinate the provision of catering and

other support to agency personnel at the site.

k. Determine and plan resource needs. LIAISON OFFICERS 507 ROLES

a. It is preferable that any Liaison Officer have the authority or capacity to commit the resources of the agency or functional area they represent/coordinate.

b. maintain communication links with their own control/coordination centres

and/or their counterparts at any other involved local Emergency Operations Centre(s) and at the Southern Highlands DEOC.



c. provide accurate and timely advice to the LEOCON, and other LEOC staff, on the situation, capabilities, status, actions of their agency or functional area, and any forecast requirements.

d. keep the LEOCON and the LEOC staff informed of the actions taken, and the

requirements of their organisation or functional area.

e. convey the LEOCON’s directions, instructions or requests to their agency or functional area, as soon as possible.

FUNCTIONAL AREA COORDINATION AT LOCAL LEVEL 508 At State level certain Agencies have been appointed as Functional Area Coordinators,

by the State Emergency Management Committee (at the Ministers direction). Their role is to control the activities and coordinate the resources, associated with their respective Functional Areas.The person appointed by each agency to coordinate this role is called the State Functional Area Coordinator.

509 In most cases, unless there is a specific delegation, there are no Functional Area

coordinators at local level. Indeed, Functional Area Liaison Officers at local level can usually only represent their Agency on a Local Emergency Management Committee, or during emergency operations.

510 If it is considered necessary for emergency operations, a request can be made through

either a District or State Functional level Coordinator to place an appropriate Functional Area Coordinator within a local emergency operations centre.

PARTICIPATING AND SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS 511 The names, agreed roles and responsibilities of participating and supporting

organisations within the Cootamundra Shire are detailed in Local Sub Plans or Functional Area Supporting Plans listed in Annexure A.

512 AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

COORDINATION - at District / State level by NSW Department of Primary Industry



ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL AREA a. NSW Department of Primary Industry is the designated combat agency for exotic

animal diseases operations. This includes implementing procedures in conjunction with National and State authorities for the eradication or control of exotic animal diseases, including: 1. detection, diagnosis, risk assessment and surveillance of the disease; 2. destruction and disposal of infected animals, plant and products; 3. disinfection of contaminated areas, buildings and vehicles; 4. programs for vector control, e.g. insect, feral and domestic animal control; 5. quarantine controls for the movement of persons, animals, and plants, and 6. provision of adequate trained staff to ensure quarantine requirements are

observed.

b. Provide immediate animal care services and continuing rehabilitation assistance to primary producers, including: 1. assessment of injured stock 2. disposal of carcasses; 3. assessment of rural property losses and damage to buildings, fences, crops,

equipment and fodder; 4. coordination of the supply and distribution of emergency fodder supplies and

other materials; 5. administration of financial assistance to victims. 6. Assistance to primary producers suffering emergency induced traumas, in

conjuction with the Department of Community Services, and 7. with the support of participating and supporting organisations, manage the care

of companion pets.

c. With the support of Participating and Supporting Organisations, provide animal care services for wildlife, domestic animals and companion pets of victims evacuated from an area affected by an emergency.

e. Planning for response and recovery operations for agricultural emergencies and

advising on animal care, veterinary public health and plant disease control measures. f. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC if requested by the LEOCON.

Local Participating Organisations

NSW Agriculture Rural Lands Protection Board National Parks and Wildlife Service RSPCA WIRES

Local Supporting Organisations Veterinary Clinics

Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Animal Health Emergency Sub Plan NSW Agriculture & Animal Services Functional Area Plan 513 AMBULANCE SERVICE OF NSW LOCAL COMMANDER - Station Officer, Cootamundra

ROLES a. Provide pre-hospital care and transport for the sick or injured.



b. Provide and/or assume responsibility for transport of designated Health Service teams and their equipment to the sites of incidents or emergencies, receiving hospitals or emergency medical facilities when so requested by the District Health Services Functional Area Coordinator.

c. Provide coordinated communications for all health systems involved in

emergency responses.

d. Provide a Liaison Officer to the LEOC if requested by the LEOCON.

Local Participating Organisations NSW Ambulance Service

Local Supporting Organisations

NSW Health St John Ambulance Australia (NSW)

Further information www.asnsw.health.nsw.gov.au www.emergency.nsw.gov.au



514 COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

COORDINATION - at District / State level ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL AREA a. Plan, establish and maintain reliable communications for the control and

coordination of emergency response and initial recovery operations.

b. Maintain resource registers detailing available communications resources, available to the local level.

c. Maintain communications between District and Local Emergency Operations

Centres during emergency operations. d. Participating or Supporting Organisations will provide a liaison officer

to the LEOC if requested by the LEOCON.

Local Participating Organisations Telstra

Local Supporting Organisations NSW Police NSW Fire Brigade Rural Fire Service

Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Communication Services Functional Area Plan



515 ENGINEERING SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

COORDINATION – At District level by Department of Commerce ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL AREA : a. Coordinate the all engineering resources required for emergency

response and recovery operations. This may include resources to deal with clearance and re-establishment of roads and bridges, demolition and shoring up of buildings, removal of debris and establishment of electrical power, water, sewerage, and gas services, construction of levees to control flooding, maintenance of essential services, resources for containment of hazardous materials and other related matters.

a. Provide support to Agencies and Functional Areas within the scope of its

capability, in particular to rescue groups. b. Provide technical engineering and advisory services.

d. The Department of Commerce and any Participating or Supporting

Organisation will provide a liaison officer to the LEOC if requested by the LEOCON.


Department of Commerce RTA Australian Rail Track Corporation


Cootamundra Shire Council

Telstra Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Engineering Services Functional Area Plan South East Region Communications Functional Area Plan



516 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

COORDINATION - at District / State level by the Department of

Environment and Conservation

ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL AREA:

a. Protect the environment during emergency response and recovery operations. b. Coordinate scientific support for the on scene Controller during operations to

combat the pollution of inland waters within Shire.

c. Advise and coordinate scientific support to the New South Wales Fire Brigades during land based hazardous materials emergencies.

d. Advise the combat agency, and other Functional Areas or Organisations

involved in an emergency, on environmentally sound and legal practices for the disposal of wastes or contaminated materials resulting from an emergency.

e. Once the material has been rendered safe, direct and coordinate cleanup of

hazardous materials which pose a threat to the environment

f. Conduct post response operations investigations following major incidents or emergencies involving hazardous materials.

g. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC.

Local Participating Organisations NSW Health Department Australian Red Cross (NSW Division) Department of Community Services Ambulance Service of NSW

Local Supporting Organisations Cootamundra Nursing Home Cootamundra Shire Council Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Environmental Services Functional Area Plan



517 HEALTH SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

COORDINATION – by the Southern Highlands District Health Services Functional Area Coordinator

(District HSFAC) ROLE OF THE FUNCTIONAL AREA:

a. Coordinate and control the mobilisation of all health responses to

emergencies. This includes medical, public and mental health services including ;

b. Hospital and medical services for the management of large numbers of

casualties. c. Provision of field hospital medical teams to manage casualties in the field.

This may be prior to, or as an alternative to, later transport to hospital.

d. Medical and mental health services to welfare centres.

e. Public health units and scientific specialists, and

f. Control of communicable diseases.

g. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC.

Local Participating Organisations Cootamundra Hospital


Cootamundra Nursing Home Cootamundra Hospital Auxiliary Local Doctors NSW Ambulance Service Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Health Sub Plan Southern Area Healthplan



526PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES

COORDINATION - at District / State level by NSW Police

ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL AREA: a. Assist the effective conduct of emergency response and recovery operations

by coordinating the release of official and current information to the media and the public about the emergency, including measures being undertaken or planned. This may require:

1. establishing a Media Information Centre, arranging media

conferences on behalf of the LEOCON and when appropriate, arranging access by journalists to the area affected by the emergency;

526preparing media releases on behalf of the LEOCON.

203 establishing a Joint Media Information Centre (JMIC) for the

dissemination of information to the public but excluding enquiries in regards to victims, and

204 preparing, for approval and issuing by the LEOCON, official

warnings and messages for broadcast to the public by the regional electronic media.

205 provide a liaison officer to LEOC when requested by the LEOCON

Local Participating Organisations NSW Police NSW Fire Brigades Ambulance Service of NSW NSW Rural Fire Service NSW State Emergency Service NSW Department of Primary Industry Department of Commerce NSW Health Department of Transport Department of Community Services


Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au NSW Public Information Services Functional Area Plan



526NSW FIRE BRIGADES LOCAL COMMANDER - Captain, Cootamundra

PRIMARY ROLE a. In relation to Fire Districts, prescribed in the New South Wales Fire Brigades

Act, 1989 (as amended), is the designated combat agency for taking all practicable measures for preventing and extinguishing fires and protecting and saving life and property in case of fire in any fire district

b. Is the designated combat agency for hazardous materials emergencies on

land and on inland waters within New South Wales, specifically for taking all practicable measures:

1 for protecting and saving life and property endangered by hazardous

material incidents; and 2 for confining or ending such an incident; and 3 for rendering the site of such an incident safe.

OTHER ROLES

c. Provide fire control services by:

1 dealing with outbreaks of fire and the rescue of persons in fire endangered areas

2 taking such measures as may be practicable to prevent the outbreak of fires; and

3 on land, dealing with the escape of hazardous materials or a situation which involves the imminent danger of such an escape

d. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited “rescue units”

NSW Fire Brigade Accredited rescue units within the Cootamundra Shire are located at :-

PRIMARY SECONDARY

Cootamundra

e. Assist in any other response or recovery operations for which the Fire

Brigades’ training and equipment is suitable, for example, the provision of emergency water supplies and pumping equipment.

526Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC when requested by the LEOCON


NSW Fire Brigades NSW Rural Fire Service

Local Supporting Organisations Cootamundra Shire Council NSW Police Cootamundra SES Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au www.fire.nsw.gov.au NSW Hazardous Materials Sub Plan



526NSW POLICE LOCAL COMMANDER - Duty Officer, Cootamundra

ROLES

a. Is the designated combat agency for law enforcement, b. Is the designated combat agency for searches and rescues c. As necessary, control and coordinate the evacuation of victims from the area

affected by the emergency.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 526 Maintain law and order, protect life and property, and provide assistance and

support to a Combat Agency, Functional Area and other organisations as required. This may include:

i. reconnaissance of the area affected by the emergency; ii. traffic control and crowd control

iii. access and egress route security and control iv. identifying the dead and injured, and notifying next of kin v. establishing temporary mortuaries

vi. maintaining the security of property vii. statutory investigative requirements, and

viii. operation of a public enquiry centre capable of providing general information on the emergency to the public

526 Respond accredited rescue units to general and specialist rescue situations and

control and coordinate rescue operations. f. Manage Disaster Victim Registration (DVR) and a disaster victim enquiry system

capable of : 1. Providing Disaster Victim Registration system for victims of emergencies 2. Managing a disaster victim enquiry centre capable of providing relatives and

close friends with basic details on the location and safety of victims.


NSW Police

Local Supporting Organisations Australian Red Cross (NSW) – for DVR

NSW Health – Disaster Victim Identification Cootamundra SES NSW Fire Brigade Dept of Community Services Salvation Army Emergency Services Cootamundra Shire Council Rural Fire Service Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au www.police.nsw.gov.au



526RURAL FIRE SERVICE LOCAL COMMANDER - Fire Control Officer, Cootamundra Shire

ROLE 526Is the designated combat agency for fire emergencies in relation to Rural Fire

Districts, as prescribed in the Rural Fires Act.

OTHER ROLES

b. Provide fire control services by:

1. dealing with outbreaks of bush fire and the rescue of persons in bush fire endangered areas; and

2. taking such measures as may be practicable to prevent the outbreak of

bush fires.

c. Assist in any other response or recovery operations for which the Rural Fire Services’ training and equipment is suitable.

526 Provide a Liaison Officer to the LEOC when requested by the

LEOCON


NSW Rural Fire Service NSW Fire Brigades Cootamundra Shire Council

Local Supporting Organisations Cootamundra SES Salvation Army Emergency Services Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au www.rfs.nsw.gov.au State Bush Fire Plan South West Zone Bushfire Operations Plan South West District Risk Management Plan



526NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE LOCAL COMMANDER - Local Controller, Cootamundra Shire

PRIMARY ROLES

a. Is the designated combat agency for dealing with floods and to coordinate the rescue, evacuation and welfare of affected communities as prescribed in the State Emergency Service Act. (# see below)

There are NO SES Flood Boats located within the Cootamundra Shire

b. The designated combat agency for damage control for storms and tempests and to coordinate the evacuation and welfare of affected communities.

526The Cootamundra SES unit is located within the Murrumbidgee SES Division

OTHER ROLES d. On request, assist in any other response or recovery operations for

which the SES training, equipment and personnel are suitable.

e. The Cootamundra SES is an accredited “rescue unit” (as determined by the State Rescue Board) as a secondary Land Rescue Unit.

526Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC when requested by the LEOCON.

# The responsibility for evacuees related to flood, storm and tempest emergencies is to

be handed over to Welfare Services as soon as possible.

Local Participating Organisations NSW Fire Brigade Rural Fire Service Cootamundra Shire Council

Local Supporting Organisations Salvation Army Emergency Services Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au www.ses.nsw.gov.au State Flood Plan State Storm Plan Cootamundra Local Flood Plan



526TRANSPORT SERVICES

COORDINATION - at District / State level by NSW Department of Transport

ROLES:

a. Coordinate the provision of transport support as required by other Agencies

and Functional Areas, whilst maintaining as far as practicable, the normal operations and activities of public and commercial transport services. Tasks for providing transport to other Services or areas might include:

1. movement of emergency equipment and personnel;

2. movement of emergency supplies and goods including water, fuel and

food;

3. evacuation of people; and

4. assistance for medical transport at the request of the Ambulance Service.

b. Maintain and operate a road condition/closure advisory service to Agencies,

other Functional Areas and members of the public.

526Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC when requested by the LEOCON

Local Participating Organisations Cootamundra Shire Council Local Transport Companies

Local Supporting Organisations Cootamundra SES

Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au State Transport Services Functional Area Plan Southern Highlands District Transport Services Plan



524 WELFARE SERVICES

COORDINATION - at District / State level by the Department of Community Services

a. During response and initial recovery

1. establish Evacuation and Welfare/Recovery Centres to manage the provision of short term emergency accommodation, essential material needs and the deliver welfare services to victims of major incidents and emergencies ;

2. provide welfare information and advisory services to victims: 3. provide personal welfare support and referral services; 4. provide immediate financial aid ; 5. establish a support unit to coordinate and distribute offers of donated relief

aid; 6. provide mobile welfare service teams; 7. ensure, in conjunction with Agricultural Services, the provision of

companion animal care, and 8. ensure, in conjunction with Health Services, the provision of medical and

mental health (counselling) services.

b. Mobilise and coordinate catering facilities and services to provide: 1. feeding of victims of emergencies including evacuees in transit or in

Evacuation and Welfare/Recovery Centres, and displaced or homeless people in short term emergency accommodation centres,

2. by arrangement, meals for personnel engaged in emergency response and initial recovery operations.

c. Establish Recovery Centres to manage the Welfare needs of victims;

d. Coordinate emergency accommodation for homeless victims of emergencies;

e. Arrange for the acquisition, reception, storage, issue and disposal of material needs

including clothing, bedding and personal requisites, and

526Provide emergency financial assistance to victims of emergencies.

g. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC. h. Provide appropriate personnel as member/s of the Local Recovery

Coordinating Committee for Cootamundra Shire (if formed).

i. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC when requested by the LEOCON Local Participating Organisations Local Supporting Organisations Cootamundra Hospital Department of Housing Salvation Army St Vincent De Paul

Further information www.emergency.nsw.gov.au www.community.nsw.gov.au State Disaster Recovery Human Services Functional Area Plan Disaster Recovery – Human Services – Functional Area Supporting Plan for

DoCS Western Region OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS



526COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL

ROLES:

At the request of LEOCON:-

a. provide human, plant, equipment and material resources, as available and as

required, to assist during an emergency .

b. provide expertise and technical support.

526provide executive support and other assistance to maintain the Cootamundra LEOC.

d. Support local recovery operations. e. Provide a liaison officer to the Cootamundra LEOC

f. Appoint a Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) to provide

executive and operational support to the LEOCON for Cootamundra Shire and the LEOC for Cootamundra Shire.

g. Provide a liaison officer to the LEOC when requested by the LEOCON

526RESCUE Rescue resources (accredited or otherwise) are coordinated by the Police in accordance with the requirements of the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989 (as amended) and the NSW State Rescue Policy.

Further Information: www.emergency.nsw.gov.au



PART 6

RESPONSE ACTIVATION AT LOCAL LEVEL 601 The arrangements in this DISPLAN are activated by the Local Emergency

Operations Controller (LEOCON). 602 These arrangements are activated for emergency situations when :-

a. a combat agency is in control and the LEOCON is monitoring the situation, or

b. a combat agency is in control and requires support from the LEOCON, or

c. a combat agency has passed control to the LEOCON, or

d. there is NO combat agency

603 The LEOCON will automatically activate the arrangements in this DISPLAN

whenever:-

a. an emergency is declared and a person appointed to take charge of fire fighting operations, under the provisions of the Rural Fires Act 1997; and/or

b. The Cootamundra Shire Local SES Controller is conducting flood,

storm/tempest operations, under the provisions of the State Emergency Service Act, 1989.

604 In either case, the LEOCON, other Emergency Services, Functional Areas and other

Agencies are to be prepared to provide support as requested by the "Chief Co-ordinators Appointee" in the case of bush fires, or a SES Local Controller in the case of floods, storms and tempest.



ACTIVATION OF RESPONSE 605 If time permits, resources will be mobilised in the following stages:- 606 ALERT

STAGE

ACTION

ALERT

LEOCON, on receipt of advice of a situation which is, or may escalate to an emergency, or which may require local level coordination of support, shall:- 1. Monitor the situation and :- 2. Inform :-

* ALL Emergency Service Commanders.

* ALL representatives of agencies likely to be required to provide support in a Functional Area.

* ALL adjoining LEOCONs.

* DEOCON.

* adjoining LEOCONs

3. activate LEOC to appropriate state of readiness

(if required).

607 STANDBY

STAGE

ACTION

STAND

BY

If a Combat Agency advises the LEOCON that assistance under this Displan arrangements may be required, or LEOCON determines that a local level emergency operation is likely to be required, the LEOCON shall:-- 1. monitor the situation. 2. activate this DISPLAN. 4. activate the LEOC (if required), and brief ALL staff. 5. advise adjoining LEOCONs, Emergency Service Controllers and

organisations providing services in Functional Areas, to be on Standby.

5. brief DEOCON



608 CALLOUT

STAGE

ACTION

CALL OUT

If a Combat Agency advises LEOCON that emergency management support is required, or the LEOCON determines that a local level emergency operation is required, the LEOCON shall:- 1. OPEN the LEOC in accordance with the Standing Operating

Procedures. 2. call Liaison Officers from ALL relevant Emergency Services

& organisations providing a service in a Functional Area to report to LEOC for initial briefing.

3. liaise with the DEOCON and adjoining LEOCONs as required. Liaison Officers shall:- 1. maintain contact with their respective agencies and respond

resources as directed by the LEOCON.. 2. keep LEOCON informed.

609 STAND DOWN

STAGE

ACTION

STAND DOWN

and

DEBRIEF

If a Combat Agency advises it no Longer requires support or the LEOCON determines that it is no longer necessary to keep the LEOC open, the LEOCON shall:- 1. request formal advice from the Combat Agency. 2. advise liaison officers from all Emergency Services &

organisations providing a service in Functional Areas. 3. Determine if it is appropriate to close and if so determine the

most appropriate closing process and time 4. advise DEOCON. 5. arranges time and location for debriefing. 6. Advise the Combat Agency and the Public 7. Close the LEOC The debrief will involve a representative from each Emergency Service, each organisation which provided a service in a Functional Area and LEOC staff involved. Ideally each area should have their own debrief prior to the main LEOC debrief. Final reports will be distributed in accordance with the Local Emergency Operations Centre, Standing Operating Procedures.



RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT 610 The LEOCON, in consultation with the combat agency, and LEOC Liaison Officers,

will determine priorities for deployment of resources being coordinated. LOGISTIC SUPPORT (Supply of Goods and Services) 611 Agencies will be responsible for providing their own logistic support, including re-

supply and relief of their own personnel. 612 Agencies will also be responsible for advising the LEOCON of any specific

requirements which cannot be met from their own resources. 613 Where practicable, normal procedures within existing delegations should be used for

the acquisition and supply of goods/services. 614 Any request for the supply of goods and services is to be made through the

appropriate agency or functional area, which has the responsibility for provision of those goods and services, and the capacity to fund the request.

615 A resource support group may be established in the LEOC to assist in the

coordination of logistic support. 616 The tasks of the Resource Support Group include :

a. Coordinate and process requests for logistic support from Agencies and Functional Areas,

b. Monitor operations and planning , to identify logistic implications and to forecast logistic requirements, and

c. Provide advice on logistic matters to the LEOCON. 617 When emergency response and initial recovery operations are being conducted by a

combat agency and the arrangements in this Displan have NOT been activated, any request for emergency management support is to be referred to the LEOCON.

EXPENDITURE AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS 618 Expenditure of funds by Agencies, Participating organisations and Supporting

organisations, during emergency response and recovery operations, is to be met in the first instance from within their normal operating budgets or any special emergency financial arrangements.

619 Should the level of expenditure prevent the providing Agency/Functional Area from

continuing normal operations for the remainder of the financial year, Treasury may provide supplementation, but there is no guarantee that funding will be provided.

620 The cost of providing goods and services from the private sector, during emergency response and recovery operations, is to be met by the requesting agency or functional area.



621 Certain expenditure incurred during natural disasters may be included under Commonwealth / State funding arrangements.

622 In view of the above, all Liaison Officers in the EOC must be aware of their

Agency / Organisational or Functional Area financial delegations and procedures and fully document commitments and expenditure relating to the emergency operation.

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ASSISTANCE 623 The type of assistance available from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) during an

emergency is:

Defence assistance to the Civil Community (DACC).

DACC is the provision of Defence Force personnel, equipment, facilities or capabilities to perform emergency tasks which are primarily the responsibility of civil authorities or organisations, and for which New South Wales lacks the necessary equipment or resources; and

624 ADF POLICY

ADF support is available where State authorities are unable to cope. Details of the emergency categories of DACC are as follows:

625 CATEGORY 1 Immediate assistance by a local area ADF Service Commander where: a. Immediate action is necessary to save human life or alleviate suffering, or

prevent extensive loss of animal life, or loss or damage to property; b. Local resources are inadequate, not available or cannot be mobilised in time;

and c. Immediate assistance can be provided from within the resources available. d. Category 1 assistance requests are passed directly by the LEOCON to the

ADF Service Commander in the particular Local Area, who has the authority to provide support if the resources are available. The DEOCON is to be informed whenever this occurs.

626 OTHER CATEGORIES There are two other categories of assistance which apply to emergencies where the immediate and local nature of Category 1 assistance does not apply. These emergency assistance requests MUST be passed through Local Emergency Operations Controllers to the District Emergency Operations Controller for referral to the State Emergency Operations Controller, who is authorised to request assistance from the Commonwealth through Emergency Management Australia (EMA). 627 NOTE:



a. ADF resources made available for operations remain under the command of Defence

Force Commanders who are responsive to the Emergency Operations Controller to whom they are providing support.

b. The ADF provides deployed elements with administrative support. c. ADF resources are made available for specific tasks, and their tasking is not to be

changed except as arranged between the State Emergency Operations Controller and Emergency Management Australia (EMA).

628 USAR RESOURCES NSW has developed extensive USAR resources. Although developed specifically for USAR operations, these resources may be useful in emergencies other than major structural collapse. The resources, including technical advice, personnel or equipment, can be accessed utilising the normal Emergency Management Arrangements without the need to activate the Major Structural Collapse Plan. EVACUATIONS 629 Evacuation of persons or animals from an area of danger or potential danger is a

strategy in combating any hazard impact. DECISION 630 Any decision to evacuate persons or animals should only be made after considerable

planning and looking at all possible options and strategies. There are many tasks which will need to be done that will affect the operational capabilities for ongoing operations and may require considerable resources.

631 Evacuations require many tasks to be completed by various agencies and this

necessitates a controlled and coordinated approach to ensure that evacuation is timely, efficient and that evacuees needs are met.

632 In some circumstances it may be appropriate for people/animals to remain in their

homes and take other measures to ensure their safety. Be guided by the combat agency (if any).

633 The Agency with the authority to order an evacuation is to ensure that the effected

community is informed, through a Public Education programme, of the proposed evacuation strategies.

634 The Controller responsible at the time (either combat agency or

LEOCON/DEOCON) will determine the need for evacuation. Ideally the decision should only be made after liaison with all agencies likely to be involved or affected.

635 If evacuation is the preferred option, the Controller will consult with the Local

Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator to identify a safe and suitable Evacuation Area or Evacuation Centre.

AUTHORITY



636 The authority to order an evacuation should also be made clear. The following table indicates which individuals and agencies have authority to order the evacuation of people and/or animals.

INDIVIDUAL /

AGENCY

CIRCUMSTANCES

The Minister for Emergency Services, or an “emergency services officer” (as defined) when authorised by the Minister

During a declared State of Emergency direct a person to leave premises and move out of an emergency area or part thereof, taking any persons in their care with them and/or not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. (S.37 - State Emergency & Rescue Management Act )

A senior Police Officer (of or above the rank of Sergeant)

If satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so for the purpose of protecting persons from injury or death threatened by actual or imminent emergency (S.60L - State Emergency & Rescue Management Act)

A Police Officer

In support of the authority of a member of the Fire Brigade acting under the Chief Officers orders and to assist him or her where the persons are or the property is endangered by fire or hazardous materials. S.25 - Fire Brigades Act

A Police Officer and all other members of emergency service organisations

In recognition of the authority of the Director General and emergency officers (as defined) provide assistance in connection with flood, storm or tempest operations. S.21 - State Emergency Service Act

The fire brigade officer in charge at a fire or a hazardous materials incident

Take such measures as the officer thinks fit to protect life and property and to remove any person, vehicle, vessel or thing which might interfere with the work of the Fire Brigades. S.13,19 - Fire Brigades Act

The Director General of the State Emergency Service or an “emergency officer (as defined) when authorised by the Director-General.

Direct a person to leave a premises and move out of an emergency area or part thereof, taking any persons in their care with them and/or not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. S.22 - State Emergency Service Act


Authority is limited to the evacuation of people during flood, storm and tempest, or at the direction of the State Emergency Operations Controller S.19,20 – State Emergency Service Act

Ambulance Service

The Ambulance Service may be directed by the Police Service to assist in the conduct of evacuations, or, during a declared State Of Emergency, by an authorised officer as determined under S37 of the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act. Evacuation of medical facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes will be at the discretion of the Medical Controller.

Local Government Authorities

In connection with fire safety related to buildings, the issue of orders to cease use of the premises , evacuate premises, to leave premises and not to enter premises. S.124 - Local Government Act

EVACUATION WARNINGS 637 Evacuation warnings to the public, or any advice not to evacuate, will be authorised

and released by a person or agency responsible for controlling the situation. 638 The controlling agency will determine the most appropriate and effective method to

disseminate warnings. This may include :



a. Electronic media b. Public address systems c. Evacuation teams using door knocks etc.

639 Any warning message should contain (if possible) :

a A clear instruction to evacuate and the location of assembly areas and transport arrangements to/from Welfare Centres

b. The location of Welfare Centres (for self evacuees) c. Authorised safe route/s to Welfare Centres d. Arrangements for children in schools e. Arrangements for elderly or infirm persons. f. Arrangements for animals. g. What people should bring with them h. Likely duration of the evacuation i. Phone number or contact point for further details

640 A Media contact directory is maintained by the LEMO for the LEOC. WITHDRAWAL 641 Provided it is within their capabilities, authorised agencies may conduct evacuations

but MUST liaise with the Police in regards to security of the evacuated area, or the area to be evacuated. Consultation must also occur with any necessary supporting organisations.

642 If requested by a Combat Agency Controller/Commander, the Police will control and

coordinate the evacuation of people to an appropriate/identified evacuation centre, secure the evacuated area and supervise Disaster Victim Registration.

643 Transport arrangements required will be arranged through the Transport Services

Functional Area Coordinator. 644 Buildings which have been evacuated are to be identified as directed by the

controlling authority and appropriate records maintained for reference and checking purposes.

SHELTER 645 The Welfare Service Coordinator is to :

a. Arrange for staffing of the identified Welfare Centres in time to receive evacuees.

b. Provide welfare support services to evacuees in accordance with the Welfare

Services Functional Area Supporting Plan, and

c. Address longer term welfare requirements RETURN 646 The Agency / authority which authorised the evacuation will determine, in

consultation with :



a. the Recovery Coordinating Committee (if established), b. The local Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator

c. The local Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinator, and

d. The local Health Services Functional Area Coordinator

when it is / will be safe for evacuees to return to their homes and also make arrangements for evacuees to be advised as soon as possible.

647 Transport of evacuees (if required) is to be arranged by the Local Transport Services

Functional Area Coordinator. ROAD CLOSURES 648 The authority to close roads is vested in many Agencies. The following table

indicates those Agencies which have that authority and the circumstances when that authority can be exercised.

AUTHORITY TO CLOSE ROADS INDIVIDUAL / ORGANISATION

CIRCUMSTANCES

Close any public street to traffic during any temporary obstruction or danger. (S. 23 Traffic Act)

Police

Close off the whole or any part of a “park” (as defined) and its roads to the public. (S. 155 National Parks & Wildlife Act)

The Minister, or an “Emergency Services Officer” (as defined) when authorised by the Minister.

During a declared State of Emergency, direct a person not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. (S.37 - SERM Act)

The Officer in Charge at a fire or hazardous materials incident.

Close any street in the vicinity of a fire or hazardous materials incident. (S. 13 Fire Brigades Act)

Officer in charge of a Rural Fire incident or other emergency.

Close any street or public place in the vicinity of a fire, incident or other emergency. (S. 24 - Rural Fires Act)

The Director General, State Emergency Service, or an “Emergency Officer” (as defined) when authorised by the Director General.

Direct a person not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. (S.22 - State Emergency Service Act)

The Ambulance Service

Close a road for the protection of persons from injury or death, whether or not those persons are sick or injured. (S. 12 - Ambulance Service Act)



INDIVIDUAL / ORGANISATION

CIRCUMSTANCES

The Minister for Agriculture Restriction of entry to and exit from a quarantined area and closure of roads which pass through a restricted area to vehicles and stock. (S. 12 &15 - Stock Diseases Act)

Department of Agriculture Inspectors

Declaration of entry and exit points during an exotic disease outbreak. (S. 13 - Exotic Diseases of Animals Act)

A Roads Authority (as defined)

Close roads to protect the public from hazards on the public road. (S. 115 - Roads Act) Note: This power is rarely used in emergencies as the powers of Emergency Services Officers generally suffice. It relates only to those roads for which Council is deemed to be the “Roads Authority”.

A Roads Authority (as defined) Roads Authority applies to RTA for consent to regulate traffic. (S. 116 – Roads Act)

Minister Minister may direct Roads Authority to exercise traffic regulation powers. (S. 120 – Roads Act) Minister may regulate traffic in certain circumstances. (S. 121 – Roads Act)

A Roads Authority (as defined) Roads Authority may temporarily regulate traffic including prohibiting vehicles to pass. (S. 122 – Roads Act) NOTE: This does not apply to Emergency Vehicles.

A Roads Authority (as defined) Roads Authority may temporarily close ferries. (Clause 56 – Roads [General] Regulation)

ADVICE OF ROAD CLOSURES 649 When an authorised person closes or opens or regulates traffic flow on a

major road the RTA Transport Management Centre (TMC) is to be notified, together with any other appropriate organisations, including Police.

650 The RTA Transport Management Centre will:

a. Deploy RTA Traffic Commanders to major unplanned incidents and emergencies;

b. Accept responsibility for traffic management from the incident

perimeter into the rest of the road network;

c. Take the lead role in communicating traffic management arrangements / issues to the media;

d. Provide close support to the Police Incident Commander for traffic

control within an incident perimeter;



e. Develop and deploy Maintenance and Traffic Emergency Services (MATES) teams for specific routes; and

f. Provide a comprehensive and timely response of specialized

resources to support traffic management. 651 Unless otherwise advised by the LEOCON, when any major road within the

local area is closed for any reason during a local level operation, the LEOC and DEOC (if operational) is to be advised.

LOGISTIC SUPPORT (SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES) 652 Agencies are responsible for providing their own logistic support, including

re-supply and relief of their own personnel. 653 Agencies are responsible for advising the DEOCON of any specific

requirements which cannot be met from their own resources. 654 Any request for supply of goods and/or services is to be made through the

appropriate Agency or Functional Area which has responsibility for provision of those goods and/or services and the capability to fund the request.

STAND DOWN AND OPERATIONAL DEBRIEFS 655 The relevant Combat Agency Controller is responsible for issuing the Stand

Down and conducting a debrief of all agencies involved in local level Combat Agency managed operations. The controller is also to provide the LEOCON with a report on the operation and debrief, for presentation to the LEMC.

656 The LEOCON, in consultation with the relevant Combat Agency, if

appropriate, is responsible for issuing the LEOC Stand Down and conducting a debrief of all agencies that were controlled or coordinated by the LEOCON during:

a. Local level supported operations; or

b. LEOCON controlled Local level emergency operations .

657 Following ALL emergency operations:

a. The LEOCON will debrief LEOC staff before closing the LEOC;



b. Each agency involved in an operation is to conduct a debrief of its own

personnel and report to the LEOCON within fourteen days of the issue of the Stand Down;

c. The LEOCON will conduct a combined agencies debrief within twenty

one days of the issue of the Stand Down; and

d. The LEOCON will report to the DEOCON on lessons learned from the operation and matters highlighted during the debrief.

e. The LEOCON will also report to the LEMC on lessons learned from

the operation and matters highlighted during the debrief.



PART 7

RECOVERY EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATIONS 701 When an emergency has been contained, the emergency management

structure continues to conduct recovery operations to satisfy personal and community needs, and to restore services to the level where the continuing process can be managed by local government and the normal responsible agencies. While local government authorities have significant responsibility for the well-being of local communities, and play a major role in recovery operations, they may require significant resource support, particularly with respect to the overall coordination of recovery operations.

702 It is essential that the requirements of recovery operations are

assessed and planned during the earliest stages of emergency response operations. Although an overlap will occur between the commencement of the recovery phase and completion of the response phase, the handover of responsibilities between the response agencies and the recovery agencies needs to be considered carefully. The Local Emergency Operations Controller is responsible for ensuring recovery planning occurs.

703 Those involved in contributing to recovery operations should keep in mind

that the whole purpose of such operations is to assist the affected community to manage its own recovery, while recognising that there will invariably be a requirement for external technical, physical and financial assistance.

PRINCIPLES 704 Disaster recovery is most effective when the following nationally recognised

principles are applied:

a Management arrangements recognise that disaster recovery is a complex, dynamic and protracted process;

b Agreed plans and management arrangements are well understood by the community and emergency management agencies;

c Recovery agencies are properly integrated into emergency management arrangements;

d Community service and reconstruction agencies have input into key decision making;

e Recovery services are conducted with the active participation of the affected community;

f Recovery managers are involved from the initial briefing on the operation;

g Recovery services are provided in a timely, fair, equitable and flexible manner; and

h Recovery personnel are supported by training programs and



exercises. (Source: National Standing Committee of Community Services and Income Security Administrators)

705 The recovery process will commence as soon as possible during and following the impact and every effort will be made to ensure that individuals from the affected communities are actively involved in their own recovery.

706 Management of recovery services should, whenever possible, occur at local

level, although District and, on occasions, State support will be required. 707 Recovery services are most effective when managed by an identified

recovery coordinator. 708 There are a number of coordination options available, including:

a LEOCON appointments / Recovery Coordinator / LEOCON established Committee;

b DEOCON appointments / Recovery Coordinator / DEOCON established Committee;

c Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator / Welfare Services Committee and key representatives advise;

d Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinator / Engineering Services Functional Area committee and key representatives advise;

e SEOCON appointments / Recovery Coordinator / SEOCON established Committee; or

f Minister appointments / Recovery Coordinator / Appointee established committee or task force.

PLANNING FOR RECOVERY 709 Emergency Management Committees at all levels are responsible for

recovery planning, which is to be undertaken in accordance with the principles contained herein, and the relevant State level supporting plans & sub plans.

710 The main roles of Recovery Committees are:

a. Coordinate arrangements to make an initial assessment of the impact;

b. Establish priorities; c. Identify shortfalls in resources; d. Coordinate provision of services; and e. Keep the community informed of recovery strategies.

RECOVERY AT LOCAL LEVEL 711 As soon as possible following an emergency, the LEMC is to meet in order to

form a Local Recovery Committee. The LEMC provides a good basis for a Local Recovery Committee, but local community groups such as the local Chamber of Commerce and non-government agencies should be added. The Combat Agency will need to attend the early meetings to provide an



overview of the situation. 712 Coordination of the recovery operation may occur from local or district level. 713 The DEMO and appropriate District Functional Area Coordinators (eg Health,

Welfare, Engineering and Agriculture) are to be invited to the initial meeting and to subsequent meetings as required.

LOCAL RECOVERY COORDINATORS 714 The appointment of a Local Recovery Coordinator is critical to the success of

recovery operations. This should be discussed by the LEMC when it meets to form the Local Recovery Coordination Committee. The appointment of the coordinator should occur in consultation with the DEOCON, on the recommendation of the LEOCON.

715 In the event that there is likely to be the need for significant outside

resources, the LEOCON on the advice of the LEMC may recommend the appointment of a higher level Recovery Coordinator.

HIGHER LEVEL RECOVERY COORDINATORS 716 In the event that the need is identified for a higher level Recovery

Coordinator to be appointed, the DEOCON, as Chair of the District Emergency Management Committee will consult with the SEOCON who will appoint a coordinator in liaison with appropriate State level agencies.

RECOVERY AT DISTRICT LEVELS 717 In the event that an emergency impacts on several local government areas

within an emergency management district, it will be necessary to form a District Recovery Coordination Committee.

718 In such circumstances the DEMC will meet to determine the composition of

the committee and nominate a Coordinator to the SEOCON for approval. Local Recovery Committees will be required, but will act as sub-committees to the District Recovery Committee.

RECOVERY AT STATE LEVEL 719 When an emergency impacts on several adjoining emergency management

districts, or in the event of a major emergency, it may be necessary to establish a State level Recovery Coordinating Committee.

720 When there is a likelihood that this may be required, the SEOCON will meet

with the SEMC and make a decision on an appropriate structure, including the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator.

LONG TERM RECOVERY 721 In the event that long term recovery and reconstruction are going to be

needed, SEOCON and the SEMC may recommend to the Minister or Premier the formation of a Special Recovery Coordinating Committee to coordinate long term recovery planning and coordination.



722 The Minister or Premier may appoint a Special Recovery Coordinator, who if

so appointed is to be the Chairperson of the Special Recovery Coordinating Committee, and will normally report directly to Government.

RECOVERY CENTRES 723 Delivery of recovery services is undertaken from Recovery Centres, which

brings together all service providers within one location. 724 Recovery Centres will be established in cooperation with local government. 725 The need to establish Recovery Centres will be considered whenever there

is an emergency. 726 The decision to establish a Recovery Centre is made by the Department of

Community Services Disaster Recovery - Human Services Manager in consultation with the relevant Emergency Service organisation.

727 The agencies providing services in the centre may include:

a. Dept of Community Services; b. Community Partners and Agencies (non government

organisations); c. Dept of Commerce; d. NSW Agriculture; e. NSW Rural Assistance Authority; f. NSW Health Department; g. Dept of Housing; h. Centrelink; i. Electricity service providers; j. Office of Fair Trading; and k. Telecommunications providers.

728 A Recovery Centre may include the following facilities:

a. Security for access – separating clients from the general office;

b. Reception area;

c. Interview rooms;

d. Meeting room;

e. Staff room;

f. Storage area; and

g. Administration area and offices.



EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 729 The Welfare Services Functional Area coordinates emergency financial

assistance to persons affected by emergencies. 730 Emergency financial assistance to victims of emergencies is coordinated by the Dept

of Community Services.. 731 The Rural Assistance Authority administers some assistance programs to farmers

and small business.



PART 8

ANNEXES A LOCAL SUPPORTING PLANS AND SUB PLANS B. LOCAL CONTROL/COORDINATION CENTRES



ANNEXURE A

LOCAL SUPPORTING PLANS AND SUB PLANS SUB PLANS • Cootamundra Local Flood Plan (see annexure# ) • South West Zone Operations Plan (see annexure # )

• Cootamundra Aerodrome Plan & Emergency Manual (see annexure # )

SUPPORTING PLANS • Local Disaster Welfare Plan for Cootamundra Shire (see annexure # )



ANNEXURE B (RESTRICTED)

LOCAL CONTROL/COORDINATION CENTRES

RESTRICTED

Information held by LEOCON & LEMO



ANNEXURE C

OPERATIONAL CONTROL AND CO-ORDINATION RELATIONSHIPS

COMBAT AGENCYCOMMAND STRUCTURE

and RESOURCES

COMBAT AGENCYCONTROLLER / CONTROL

STRUCTURE

Combat Agency Control Centre

DEMO/LEMO

agency resources

EMERGENCY SERVICESOperations Centres

resources

Supporting organisations

FUNCTIONAL AREASCoordination Centres

LIAISON OFFICERS

EOCON

Emergency Operations Centre

Combat Agency Managed Operation Support resources managed by an LEOCON

Requests for assistance or

tasks



CONTROL AND COORDINATION RELATIONSHIPS (CON’T)

LEMOExecutive Support

SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICERand other staff

RESOURCES

COMMAND/CONTROLSTRUCTURE

EMERGENCY SERVICESLiaison Officers

SUPPORTING AGENCIESRESOURCES

SUPPORTING AGENCIESSTRUCTURES

FUNCTIONAL AREASLiaison Officers

EOCON

Emergency Operations Controlled by the LEOCON


Agency Control / Coordination Centres



TYPE OF EMERGENCY OPERATION

SITUATION

CONTROL STRUCTURE

PLANNING

INFORMATION / LIAISON

OPERATIONS CONTROLLED BY A COMBAT AGENCY

1. Combat Agency alone or with other emergency service and/or functional area support 2. Combat Agency supported by emergency management arrangements

Combat agency controls ALL aspects of the operation including all resource support. Combat Agency controls the operation and requests the LEOCON \ DEOCON to coordinate resource support and/or undertake certain tasks The DEOC/LEOC may become a resource coordination centre and /or a control centre if necessary to manage allocated tasks.

Support tasks which can be foreseen are agreed and reflected in Combat Agency Plans (Sub -Plans) or Functional Area Plans (Supporting Plans) where applicable Support tasks which can be foreseen are agreed to and reflected in DISPLAN, Combat Agency Plans (Sub -Plans) or Functional Area Plans (Supporting Plans) where applicable. Unforeseen support can be : 1. coordinated by LEOCON \ DEOCON or 2. the combat agency can deal direct with supporting agencies. (In this case the LEOCON \ DEOCON MUST be kept informed by the Combat Agency.)

Liaison Officers at combat agency centre. It is the responsibility of the combat agency to ensure that the LEOCON \ DEOCON and any involved Agency Commanders or Functional Area Coordinators are kept informed of the situation The LEOCON \ DEOCON monitors the situation in case support required. Liaison Officers at LEOC/DEOC in accordance with DISPLAN arrangements and LEOC/DEOC SOPs. It is the responsibility of the combat agency to ensure that the LEOCON \ DEOCON and any involved Agency Commanders or Functional Area Coordinators are kept informed of the situation and advised of the support that is required. LEOCON \ DEOCON, and supporting agencies under the control of the Combat Agency and provide resources as required by the Combat Agency Agencies and Functional Areas providing support under the coordination of the LEOCON \ DEOCON provide a liaison officer to the DEOC / LEOC

OPERATIONS CONTROLLED BY A DISTRICT / LOCAL

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER

3. When there is NO combat agency. 4. When LEOCON \ DEOCON designated as controller in DISPLAN 5. Combat Agency hands total control over to LEOCON \ DEOCON (with the approval of the combat agency head and SEOCON)

The LEOCON \ DEOCON controls ALL aspects of the operation and coordinates resources. Agencies command their own resources but carry out tasks as directed by LEOCON \ DEOCON

As detailed in the DISPLAN, Sub Plans and/or Supporting Plans

Liaison Officers at LEOC\DEOC in accordance with DISPLAN arrangements and LEOC/DEOC SOPs. It is the responsibility of the LEOCON / DEOCON to ensure that Agencies and Functional Areas are kept informed of the situation. Agencies and Functional Areas will provide a liaison officer to the DEOC / LEOC.

NEW SOUTH WALES

STATE DISASTER PLAN

(DISPLAN)

New South Wales State Disaster Plan – Displan

Amendment 7 – Complete Reprint As at December 2005

iii

AUTHORISATION The New South Wales State Disaster Plan (Displan) has been prepared by the State Emergency Management Committee in compliance with the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended) [Sections 10 (1) (c) and 15 (2) (r)], and is hereby submitted for the approval of and issue by the Minister for Emergency Services. ......................... (B.W. HOWARD) RECOMMENDED CHAIRPERSON STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Dated: .........................

(TONY KELLY) APPROVED MINISTER FOR

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Dated: The New South Wales State Disaster Plan (Displan) is issued in accordance with the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended) [Section 12 (4)]



iv

AMENDMENT LIST 1. Proposals for amendment or addition to the contents of the New South Wales State Disaster Plan

(Displan) are to be forwarded to: The Chairperson State Emergency Management Committee Level 12 52 Phillip Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 2. Amendments promulgated are to be certified in the undermentioned sheet when entered.

AMENDMENT ENTERED

NUMBER DATE SIGNATURE DATE

Amendment 1 2 October 1992

Amendment 2 – Complete reprint 25 August 1994

Amendment 3 July 1996

Amendment 4 30 June 1997

Amendment 5 Complete reprint July 2000

Amendment 6 October, 2001

Amendment 7 Complete reprint December 2005



v

DISTRIBUTION


COPIES

NO ISSUED

Senior NSW Parliament Members 1 each 23

Members State Emergency Management Committee 2 each 44

NSW Police Region Commanders/ District Emergency Operations Controllers 1 each 5

District Emergency Management Officers 1 each 19

District Emergency Operations Centres 1 each 18

Local Emergency Operations Centres 1 each 139

Local Emergency Operations Controllers 1 each 139

Local Government Councils 1 each 154

State Coordination Centre 2 2

State Emergency Operations Centre 4 4

AMBULANCE

State Headquarters, Rozelle 6 6

State Co-ordination Centre, Rozelle 2 2

Education Centre, Rozelle 2 2

Regional Centres, NSW 1 each 14

FIRE BRIGADE

State Communication Centre, Sydney 2 2

Assistant Commissioner, Sydney 1 1

BA/Hazmat Training Unit, Alexandria 1 1

Director State Operations, Sydney 1 1

Districts, Regions and Zones, NSW 1 each 18

Legal Section, Sydney 4 4

Operational Support Centre, Chullora 1 1

Region North Office, Artarmon 5 5



vi

Training Centre, Alexandria 1 1

POLICE

Commissioner of Police, NSW 1 1

Commander, Communications Operations, Sydney Police Centre 1 1

Duty Operations Inspector, VKG, Sydney Police Centre 1 1

Rescue Coordinator, VKG, Sydney Police Centre 2 2

VKG Communications Centres, NSW 1 each 5

Commander, Forensic Services Group, Parramatta 1 1

Public Affairs Branch, Sydney 2 2

Professional Integrity Branch, North Sydney 1 1

Commander, North West Prosecuting Services, Parramatta 1 1

Commander, Operations Support Section, Strawberry Hills 1 1

Commander, Police Rescue Squad, Zetland 1 1

Commander Police Operations Centre, Sydney 1 1

Commander Traffic Service Branch, Parramatta 1 1

Commander, Special Services Group, Zetland 1 1

Manager, Radio Engineering Services Sydney 1 1

Police Academy Library, Goulburn 6 6

Police Media Unit, Sydney 2 2

Director, Management and Education Program, Police Academy, Goulburn 2 2

Staff Officer to Deputy Commissioner Operations, Sydney 1 1

Emergency Management Liaison Officer, Sydney 1 1

Marine Area Command, Sydney 1 1

RURAL FIRE SERVICE

Headquarters, Rose Hill 5 5

State Operations Centre, Rose Hill 2 2

Aviation Support Section, Rose Hill 1 1



vii

Regional Offices, NSW 1 each 8

Rural Fire Service, Police Liaison Officer Kit 1 1

STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

Headquarters, Wollongong 5 5

State Operations Centre, Wollongong 2 2

Divisions, NSW 1 each 19

VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION

Secretary, Narrandera, NSW 2 2

Regions, NSW 1 each 10

COMMONWEALTH/STATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS

Primary Industries, Department of, Orange 3 3

Airport Emergency Operations Centre, Sydney Airport 1 1

Air Transport Council, Sydney 1 1

Anglicare, Parramatta 1 1

ANSTO, Lucas Heights, NSW 1 1

(Army) Defence Centre Sydney, NSW 2 2

(Army) 23rd Support Squadron, Holsworthy, NSW 1 1

Australian Emergency Management Institute, Victoria 2 2

Australian Police Staff College, Manly, NSW 1 1

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services, Mascot 2 2

Australian Red Cross Society (NSW Division) 2 2

Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (NSW Squadron) 2 2

Australian Water Technologies, Surry Hills 1 1

Bureau of Meteorology Sydney NSW 2 2

Bushwalking Clubs, Federation of, NSW 2 2

Cabinet Office, Sydney 1 1



viii

Centrelink, Sydney 1 1

Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams (CREST) 2 2

Civil Air Patrol, Bankstown 2 2

Community Services, Department of, Operations Centre Parramatta 1 1

Community Services, Department of, Managers, NSW 2 each 10

NSW Dairy Farmers Association, Surry Hills 1 1

Dam Safety Committee, Parramatta 1 1

Education and Training, Department of, Darlinghurst 1 1

Emergency Management Australia, Canberra, ACT 2 2

Energy Australia, NSW 2 2

Environment Protection Authority, Hazardous Chemicals Advisory Committee, NSW 2 2

Environment Protection Authority, Radiation Control Branch, Department of, NSW 2 2

Environment Protection Authority, Transport Hazardous Materials Section, NSW 2 2

Environment Protection Authority, Waste Management Branch, NSW 2 2

Environment Protection Authority, Regional Offices, NSW 1 each 9

Farmers Association, Sydney 1 1

Freight Rail Corporation, Parramatta 2 2

Government Radio Network, Surry Hills 1 1

Health, Department of, North Sydney 7 7

Health and Aged Care, Commonwealth Department of, Sydney 2 2

Housing, Department of, Liverpool 1 1

Inland Waterways Rescue Group VRA, NSW 2 2

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Glebe 2 2

Integral Energy, Huntingwood 2 2

Japan Local Government Centre, Sydney 1 1

Australian Command and Staff College, Weston Creek, ACT 1 1

Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Department of, Sydney 4 4



ix

Local Government, Department of, Sydney 2 2

Mines Rescue Board of NSW 2 2

Mines Rescue Stations, NSW 2 each 8

Ministers Office, Emergency Services, Sydney 2 2

Ministers Office, Police, Sydney 2 2

Ministry of Energy and Utilities 2 2

Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, ACT 1 1

National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW 2 2

Natural Gas Co, NSW 2 2

(Navy) Command Support Services Officer, Support Command, Sydney 2 2

(Navy) HMAS Albatross, Nowra 2 2

OPTUS, Communications, North Sydney 1 1

Pacific Power, Carlingford 2 2

Parliamentary Library, Sydney 2 2

Commerce, Department of, NSW 2 2

Commerce, Department of, Tamworth 1 1

(RAAF) Base, Training Centre, Richmond 2 2

Rail Services Australia, Homebush 1 1

Rescue from Heights and Depths Group, VRA, NSW 2 2

Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW 2 2

Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (NSW Section) 2 2

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Yagoona 2 2

Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, NSW 2 2

Rural Assistance Authority, NSW 2 2

Rural Lands Protection Board, NSW 1 1

Salvation Army and Regional Coordination Centres, NSW 1 each 40

Seventh Day Adventist Church, NSW 2 2



x

Social Security, Commonwealth Department of, Sydney 2 2

Social Security, Commonwealth Department of, Regions 2 each 14

State Coroner, Deputy, Westmead 1 1

State Emergency Management Committee/State Rescue Board, Offices, Sydney 7 7

State Forests of NSW, Pennant Hills 2 2

State Library of NSW 3 3

State Mail Service, Chester Hill 2 2

State Rail System Safety, Sydney 2 2

State Transit Authority, NSW 2 2

St John Ambulance Australia (NSW Division) 2 2

Sydney Water - Sydney, Hunter 2 each 4

Sydney Water - Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Cobar and Broken Hill 1 each 4

Telstra Corporation Ltd, Sydney 3 3

Training Advisory Panel, State Rescue Board, NSW 1 each 5

Transport, Department of, NSW 6 6

Transport and Communications, Commonwealth Department of, Sydney 2 2

Treasury, The, NSW 2 2

University of Sydney Library, Sydney 1 1

Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Department of, Sydney 3 3

Volunteer Marine Rescue Council of NSW, Members 1 each 4

Waste Service, NSW 2 2

Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN), NSW 2 2

WorkCover Authority, NSW 2 2

OTHER STATES

Fire Brigade, including ACT 1 each 7

Police Services, including ACT 1 each 7

State Emergency Service, including ACT 1 each 7



xi

Australian Emergency Management Committee 1 each 7



xii

CONTENTS

PAGE

AUTHORISATION............................................................................................................................... ii AMENDMENT LIST........................................................................................................................... iii DISTRIBUTION ............................................................................................................................... iv-x CONTENTS....................................................................................................................................xi-xiii DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................................................. xiv-xxi ALPHABETICAL INDEX ............................................................................................................ 69-72 PART ONE – INTRODUCTION

Legislation Basis ..............................................................................................................................1 Aim ...................................................................................................................................................1

Functions ..........................................................................................................................................1 Purpose.............................................................................................................................................1 Scope............................................................................................................................................. 1-2 Principles...................................................................................................................................... 2-3 Bush Fire ..........................................................................................................................................3 Flood and Storm..............................................................................................................................3 Security of Information...................................................................................................................3

PART TWO – PLANNING

Disaster Plans...................................................................................................................................4 The Minister.....................................................................................................................................4 State Disasters Council ...................................................................................................................4 State Emergency Management Committee ............................................................................... 4-5 Emergency Services & Functional Areas .................................................................................. 5-6

Community Relations......................................................................................................................6 Functional Area Sub Committees ..................................................................................................6 District Emergency Management Committee...............................................................................6 Local Emergency Management Committee .............................................................................. 6-7 District and Local Displans ............................................................................................................7

Sub-Plans..........................................................................................................................................7 Supporting Plans .............................................................................................................................7 Review of Disaster Plans.................................................................................................................8 Warning & Information to the Public ...........................................................................................8 Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) ............................................................................8

The purpose of SEWS..............................................................................................................8 Authority to use SEWS............................................................................................................8 Procedure for the use of SEWS...............................................................................................8

PART THREE – CONTROL, COORDINATIONAND COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS

General .............................................................................................................................................9 The Minister.....................................................................................................................................9 The State Emergency Operations Controller................................................................................9 The State Emergency Management Committee ...........................................................................9 The State Emergency Operations Centre................................................................................ 9-10 Control / Coordination Centres ...................................................................................................10 Arrangements at District Level.............................................................................................. 10-11 Arrangements at Local Level .......................................................................................................11 Liaison Officers .............................................................................................................................11 Operational Relationships ............................................................................................................12 Communications............................................................................................................................12



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PART FOUR – ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

General ...........................................................................................................................................13 Participating Organisations..........................................................................................................13 Supporting Organisations.............................................................................................................13 AGRICULTURAL & ANIMAL SERVICES ....................................................................... 14-15 AMBULANCE SERVICE............................................................................................................16 COMMUNICATION SERVICES ...............................................................................................17 ENERGY AND UTILITY SERVICES........................................................................................18 ENGINEERING SERVICES .......................................................................................................19 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES................................................................................................20 FIRE BRIGADES .........................................................................................................................21 HEALTH SERVICES...................................................................................................................22 POLICE ................................................................................................................................... 23-24 PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES ......................................................................................25 RURAL FIRE SERVICE .............................................................................................................26 STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE..............................................................................................27 TRANSPORT SERVICES ...........................................................................................................28 VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION..................................................................................29 WELFARE SERVICES.......................................................................................................... 30-31 OTHER SPECIALIST ORGANISATIONS......................................................................... 32-33 MINES RESCUE...........................................................................................................................34

PART FIVE – EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS

General ...........................................................................................................................................35 Early Warning ...............................................................................................................................35 Mobilisation Stages at State Level ...............................................................................................35

Alert Stage ..............................................................................................................................35 Call Out Stage.........................................................................................................................35

Stand Down ............................................................................................................................35 Sequence of Actions at State Level...............................................................................................36

Alert Stage ..............................................................................................................................36 Call Out Stage................................................................................................................... 36-37 Stand Down.............................................................................................................................37

Procedures at District and Local Levels......................................................................................37 Evacuation .....................................................................................................................................37

Decision ............................................................................................................................. 37-38 Authority.................................................................................................................................38 Evacuation Warnings....................................................................................................... 38-39 Withdrawal .............................................................................................................................39 Shelter .....................................................................................................................................39 Return .....................................................................................................................................40

Road Closures.......................................................................................................................... 40-41 PART SIX – EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATIONS

General ...........................................................................................................................................42 Principles.................................................................................................................................. 42-43 Planning for Recovery...................................................................................................................43 Recovery at Local Level.......................................................................................................... 43-44 Local Recovery Coordinators.......................................................................................................44 Higher Level Recovery Coordinators ..........................................................................................44 Recovery at District Level ............................................................................................................44 Recovery at State Level.................................................................................................................44 Long Term Recovery.....................................................................................................................44 Recovery Centres..................................................................................................................... 44-45 Emergency Financial Assistance ..................................................................................................45



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PART SEVEN – LOGISTICS, ADMINISTRATION AND TRAINING

General ...........................................................................................................................................46 Logistics Support (Supply of Goods and Services).....................................................................46 Administration...............................................................................................................................46

Expenditure and Recovery of Funds ....................................................................................46 Workers Compensation .........................................................................................................47

Emergency Exercises.....................................................................................................................47

PART EIGHT – ANNEXES Annex A State Level Supporting Plans.................................................................................. 49-50 Annex B Emergency Management Districts ......................................................................... 51-52 Annex C Format of Request to the Media to use SEWS...................................................... 53-54 Annex D Format for Declaration and Revocation of a State of Emergency ...................... 55-56 Annex E Concept of Emergency Operations ..............................................................................57 Annex F Specific Control Responsibilities ..................................................................................58 Annex G “State of Emergency” as described by Legislation.....................................................59 Annex H Guidelines for the application of Property Powers under the

SERM Act 1989 (as amended) and SES Act 1989 (as amended) ....................... 60-68

ALPHABETICAL INDEX ............................................................................................................ 69-72



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DEFINITIONS NOTE: The definitions used in this plan are sourced from The State Emergency & Rescue Management

Act, 1989 (as amended), other New South Wales legislation, and The Macquarie Dictionary (Second Edition, 1991). Where possible, the reference source is identified as part of the definition (eg. the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), is identified as SERM Act).

Agency

means a government agency or a non-government agency. (Source: SERM Act). Agency Controller

in this plan means the operational head of the agency, identified in this plan as the combat agency, who has command of the resources of the particular agency.

Casual Volunteer

means a person who:

(a) assists an accredited rescue unit in carrying out a rescue operation with the consent of the person in charge of the rescue operation; or

(b) assists, on his or her own initiative, in a rescue operation or otherwise in response to an

emergency in circumstances in which the assistance was reasonably given. (Source: SERM Act).

Civil Defence

means the performance of some or all of the 15 humanitarian tasks intended to protect the civilian population against the dangers and to help it recover from the immediate effects of hostilities, and also to provide the necessary conditions for its survival. (Source: Contained in Article 61 of Protocol 1 (1977) additional to the 1949 Geneva Convention).

Combat Agency

means the agency identified in Displan as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency. (Source: SERM Act).

Command

in this plan means the direction of members and resources of an agency / organisation in the performance of the agency / organisation's roles and tasks. Authority to command is established by legislation or by agreement with the agency / organisation. Command relates to agencies / organisations only, and operates vertically within the agency / organisation.

Community Relations Crisis incidents or emergencies affecting community relations as determined by the Chairperson of the Community Relations Commission in consultation with Community Leaders and Chief Executive Officers of the Community Relations Crisis Management Standing Committee, or as directed by the Premier.

Concept of Operations

in this plan refers to the Controller's general idea or notion, given the anticipated problems of the effects of the event, of how the emergency response and recovery operation is to be conducted. It is a statement of the Controller's operational intentions, and may be expressed in terms of stages / phases of the emergency operation



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Control means the overall direction of the activities, agencies or individuals concerned. (Source: SERM Act). Control operates horizontally across all agencies / organisations, functions and individuals. Situations are controlled.

Coordination

means the bringing together of agencies and individuals to ensure effective emergency or rescue management, but does not include the control of agencies and individuals by direction. (Source: SERMAct)

Disaster means an occurrence, whether or not due to natural causes, that causes loss of life, injury, distress or danger to persons, or loss of, or damage to, property. (Source: Community Welfare Act, 1987).

Displan

means the New South Wales State Disaster Plan. The object of Displan is to ensure the coordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies. (Source: SERM Act).

District

the State is divided into such districts as the Minister may determine by order published in the Gazette. Any such order may describe the boundaries of a district by reference to local government areas, maps or otherwise. (Source: SERM Act).

District Emergency Management Committee

means the committee constituted under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), which at District level is responsible for preparing plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the District (District Displan) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the State Emergency Management Committee. (Source: SERM Act).

District Emergency Operations Controller

means the Region Commander of Police appointed by the Commissioner of Police, as the District Emergency Operations Controller for the Emergency Management District.

Emergency

means an emergency due to an actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, terrorist act, accident, epidemic or warlike action) which:

(a) endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons or animals in the State; or (b) destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in the State,

being an emergency which requires a significant and co-ordinated response. For the purposes of the definition of emergency, property in the State includes any part of the environment of the State. Accordingly, a reference in the Act to:

(a) threats or danger to property includes a reference to threats or danger to the environment, and (b) the protection of property includes a reference to the protection of the environment. (Source: SERM Act).

Emergency Officer means the Director General of SES or a person appointed as an Emergency Officer under Section

15 of the State Emergency Service Act. A person may be appointed as an Emergency Officer even if not a member of the State Emergency Service. (Source: SES Act).


means a centre established at State, District or Local level as a centre of communication and as a centre for the coordination of operations and support during an emergency. (Source: SERM Act).



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Emergency Risk Management in this plan means the process approved by the State Emergency Management committee and published in the NSW Implementation Guide for Emergency Management Committees.

Emergency Services Officer means a Police Officer, an officer of the NSW Fire Brigades of or above the position of station

commander, an officer of the State Emergency Service of or above the position of unit controller, or a divisional executive officer or the Director, Operations of that Service, a member of the Rural Fire Service of or above the position of deputy captain, or a District Emergency Management Officer. (Source: SERM Act).

Emergency Services Organisation

means the NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Service, Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association or any other agency which manages or controls an accredited rescue unit (Source: SERM Act).

Essential services for the purposes of the Essential Services Act, 1988, a service is an essential service if it consists

of any of the following: (a) the production, supply or distribution of any form of energy, power or fuel or of energy,

power or fuel resources; (b) the public transportation of persons or freight: (c) the provision of fire-fighting services; (d) the provision of public health services (including hospital or medical services); (e) the provision of ambulance services; (f) the production, supply or distribution of pharmaceutical products; (g) the provision of garbage, sanitary cleaning or sewerage services; (h) the supply or distribution of water; (i) the conduct of a welfare institution; (j) the conduct of a prison; (k) a service declared to be an essential service under subsection (2); (l) a service comprising the supply of goods or services necessary for providing any service

referred to in paragraphs (a) - (k). Functional Area

means a category of services involved in the preparations for an emergency, including the following:

a. Agriculture and Animal Services; b. Communication Services; c. Energy and Utility Services;

d. Engineering Services; e. Environmental Services; f. Health Services; g. Public Information Services; h. Transport Services; and i. Welfare Services. Functional Area Coordinator

in this plan means the nominated coordinator of a Functional Area, tasked to coordinate the provision of Functional Area support and resources for emergency response and recovery operations, who, by agreement of Participating and Supporting Organisations within the Functional Area, has the authority to commit the resources of those organisations.



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Government Agency

means: (a) a government department or administrative office as defined in the Public Sector

Management Act 1988; (b) a public authority, being a body (whether incorporated or not) established by or under an Act

for a public purpose, other than: (i) the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly or a committee of either or both of

those bodies; or (ii) a court or other judicial tribunal;

(c) the NSW Police; (d) a local government council or other local authority; or (e) a member or officer of an agency referred to in paragraphs (a) – (d) or any other person in the

service of the Crown who has statutory functions, other than: (i) the Governor, the Lieutenant-Governor or the Administrator of the State; (ii) a Minister of the Crown; (iii) a Member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly or an officer of that

Council or Assembly; or (iv) a judicial officer. (Source: SERM Act).

Hazard

in this plan means a potential or existing condition that may cause harm to people or damage to property or the environment.

Hazardous Material

means anything that, when produced, stored, moved, used or otherwise dealt with without adequate safeguards to prevent it from escaping, may cause injury or death or damage to property. [Source: Fire Brigades Act, 1989 (as amended)].

Hazardous Material Incident means an actual or impending land-based spillage or other escape of hazardous material that

causes or threatens to cause injury or death or damage to property. [Source: Fire Brigades Act, 1989 (as amended)].

Incident

in this plan means a localised event, either accidental or deliberate, which may result in death or injury, or damage to property, which requires a normal response from an agency, or agencies.

Incident Control System ( ICS)

means an operations management system using common language and procedures that allows agencies to retain their own command structure. The key principles are management by objectives and span of control using key functions of Control, Operations, Planning and Logistics.

Liaison Officer (LO)

in this plan means a person, nominated or appointed by an organisation or functional area, to represent that organisation or functional area at a control centre, emergency operations centre, coordination centre or site control point, a liaison officer maintains communications with and conveys directions/requests to their organisation or functional area, and provides advice on the status, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area.

Local Emergency Management Committee

means the committee constituted under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), for each local government area, and is responsible for the preparation of plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the local government area (Local DISPLAN) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the relevant District Emergency Management



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Committee. (Source: SERM Act).

Local Emergency Operations Controller means a Police Officer appointed by the District Emergency Operations Controller as the Local Emergency Operations Controller for the Local Government Area.

Local Government Area

means an area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 and includes a combined local government area as referred to in section 27 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended).

Logistics

in this plan means the range of operational activities concerned with supply, handling, transportation, and distribution of materials. Also applicable to the transportation of people.

Minister

means the Minister for Emergency Services.

Mitigation means measures taken in advance of, or after, a disaster aimed at decreasing or eliminating its impact on society and environment. (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Murray River includes:

(a) the navigable waters of that part of the Darling River and its tributaries from the junction of that river with the Murray River upstream approximately 42 kilometres to the overhead crossing at Avoca; and

(b) the navigable waters of the anabranches of the Murray River; and (c) the backed up waters of all dams and other impoundments on the Murray River from the

South Australian border upstream to the source of the Murray River. [Source: Maritime Services Act,1935 (as amended)].

Natural Disaster

a natural disaster is a serious disruption to a community or region caused by the impact of a naturally occurring rapid onset event that threatens or causes death, injury or damage to property or the environment and which requires significant and coordinated multi-agency and community response. Such serious disruption can be caused by any one, or a combination, of the following natural hazards: bushfire; earthquake; flood; storm; cyclone; storm surge; landslide; tsunami; meteorite strike; or tornado. (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Non Government Agency

means a voluntary organisation or any other private individual or body, other than a government agency. (Source: SERM Act).

Participating Organisation

in this plan means the Government Departments, statutory authorities, volunteer organisations and other agencies who have either given formal notice to Agency Controllers or Functional Area Coordinators, or have acknowledged to the State Emergency Management Committee, that they are willing to participate in emergency management response and recovery operations under the direction of the Controller of a combat agency, or Coordinator of a Functional Area, with the levels of resources or support as appropriate to the emergency operation.



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Plan in this plan means a step by step sequence for the conduct of a single or series of connected emergency operations to be carried out simultaneously or in succession. It is usually based upon stated assumptions, and is a promulgated record of a previously agreed set of roles, responsibilities, functions, actions and management arrangements. The designation 'plan' is usually used in preparing for emergency operations well in advance. A plan may be put into effect at a prescribed time, or on signal, and then becomes the basis of the emergency operation order for that emergency operation.

Preparation

in relation to an emergency includes arrangements or plans to deal with an emergency or the effects of an emergency. (Source: SERM Act).

Prevention

in relation to an emergency includes the identification of hazards, the assessment of threats to life and property and the taking of measures to reduce potential loss to life or property. (Source: SERM Act).

Public Awareness

The process of informing the community as to the nature of the hazard and actions needed to save lives and property prior to and in the event of disaster. . (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Recovery

in relation to an emergency includes the process of returning an affected community to its proper level of functioning after an emergency. (Source: SERM Act).

Relief

the provision of immediate shelter, life support and human needs of persons affected by, or responding to, an emergency. It includes the establishment, management and provision of services to emergency relief or recovery centres. (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Rescue

means the safe removal of persons or domestic animals from actual or threatened danger of physical harm. (Source: SERM Act).

Rescue Unit

means a unit (comprising a group of persons) which carries out rescue operations for the protection of the public or a section of the public. (Source: SERM Act).

Response

in relation to an emergency includes the process of combating an emergency and of providing immediate relief for persons affected by an emergency. (Source: SERM Act).

Risk

a concept used to describe the likelihood of harmful consequences arising from the interaction of hazards, communities and the environment. . (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Risk Assessment

the process used to determine risk management priorities by evaluating and comparing the level of risk against predetermined standards, target risk levels or other criteria. . (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).



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Risk Management the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating and monitoring risk. (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disaster in Australia, August 2002).

Roads Authority

means officers of the Roads and Traffic Authority and Council authorised under the Roads Act 1993.

Site Control

the location from which the Site Controller, agency commanders and functional areas coordinate the emergency. It usually includes the relevant Emergency Service Commanders and Functional Area Coordinators and other advisers as required.

Site Controller

a police officer appointed by and subject to the direction of an emergency operations controller to be responsible for determining the site, establishing site control and controlling on the ground response to an emergency. Until the Emergency Operations Controller appoints a Site Controller, the Senior Police Officer will assume control

State Disasters Council

means the council established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), to advise the Minister on all matters relating to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies (including the coordination of the activities of government and non-government agencies in connection with those matters).

State Emergency Management Committee

means the committee constituted under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), as the principal committee established under this Act for the purposes of emergency management throughout the State, and, in particular, is responsible for emergency planning at State level.

State Emergency Management Structure

In this plan the emergency management structure of New South Wales consists of the State, District and Local Emergency Management Committees, and established emergency operations centres at State, District and Local levels, which provides for the control and coordination of emergency response and recovery operations by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies.

State Emergency Operations Controller

means the person appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, responsible, in the event of an emergency which affects more than one District, for controlling the allocation of resources in response to the emergency. The State Emergency Operations Controller is to establish and control a State Emergency Operations Centre. (Source: SERM Act).

State of Emergency

means a state of emergency declared by the Premier under Section 33(1) of the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended).

NOTE: Other New South Wales legislation also provides for a declaration of an emergency which has different meanings and different authorities within that specific legislation - that is: Essential Services Act, 1988; Dam Safety Act, 1978; and Rural Fires Act, 1997 (as amended)



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State Waters means: (a) the territorial sea adjacent to the State; (b) the sea on the landward side of the territorial sea adjacent to the State that is not within the

limits of the State; (c) other waters within the limits of the State prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of

this definition: The Act provides that State waters consist of the territorial sea from the low water mark seaward for 3 nautical miles as well as those waters prescribed by the Marine Pollution Regulation. The Regulation prescribes the following ports as being State waters (north to south): • Yamba • Newcastle • Sydney • Botany Bay • Port Kembla • Eden

Sub Plan

in this plan means an action plan required for a specific hazard, critical task or special event. It is prepared when the management arrangements necessary to deal with the effects of the hazard, or the critical task or special event differ from the general coordination arrangements set out in the main or supporting plans for the area.

Supporting Organisation

in this plan means the Government Departments, statutory authorities, volunteer organisations and other specialist agencies who have indicated a willingness to participate and provide specialist support resources to a combat agency Controller or Functional Area Coordinator during emergency operations.

Supporting Plan

in this plan means a plan prepared by an agency / organisation or functional area, which describes the support which is to be provided to the controlling or coordinating authority during emergency operations. It is an action plan which describes how the agency / organisation or functional area is to be coordinated in order to fulfil the roles and responsibilities allocated.

Terrorist Act

is an act or threat, intended to advance a political, ideological or religious cause by coercing or intimidating an Australian or foreign government or the public, by causing serious harm to people or property, creating a serious risk of health and safety to the public, disrupting trade, critical infrastructure or electronic systems. (Source: Criminal Code Act 1995 [Commonwealth]).

Victim

means a sufferer from any destructive, injurious, or adverse action or agency. [Macquarie Dictionary - Second Edition]. In this plan it means a person adversely affected by an emergency.

Vulnerability the degree of susceptibility and resilience of the community and environment to hazards. (Source: COAG Review into Natural Disasters in Australia, August 2002).

Welfare Services means the services provided to assist in the relief of personal hardship and distress to individuals, families and communities who are the victims of an emergency. (Source: Community Welfare Act 1987).



1

PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

LEGISLATIVE BASIS 101. The Government of New South Wales acknowledges the inevitable nature of emergencies and

their potentially significant social, economic and environmental consequences. Accordingly, the Government has enacted the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended).

102. Emergencies may be controlled by combat agencies or emergency operations controllers as

specified in this plan, and the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), recognises the need for a coordinated response by all agencies having roles or responsibilities for such emergencies. It provides the legislative basis for the preparation of a State Disaster Plan (Displan) to record the agreed management arrangements for coordination of emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.

103. The State Disaster Plan (Displan) details emergency preparedness, response and recovery

arrangements for New South Wales to ensure the coordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies.

AIM 104 The State Disaster Plan (Displan) details emergency preparedness, response and recovery arrangements for New South Wales to ensure the coordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies. FUNCTIONS 105. To meet the aim established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as

amended), Displan is to: a. identify, in relation to each different form of emergency, the combat agency primarily

responsible for controlling the response to the emergency; b. provide for the coordination of the activities of other agencies in support of a combat

agency in the event of an emergency; c. specify the tasks to be performed by all agencies in the event of an emergency; and d. specify the responsibilities of the Minister, and the State, District or Local Emergency

Operations Controllers. PURPOSE 106. The State Displan has been prepared to coordinate the emergency management measures

necessary at State level when an emergency occurs, and to provide direction at District and Local level. It is active at all times, and the arrangements herein apply permanently.

SCOPE 107. This plan provides for the mobilisation of all agencies and all resources available within the

emergency management structure for the conduct of emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations, no matter what the cause, including emergencies caused as a result of a



2

terrorist act. 108. Prevention - in relation to an emergency includes the identification of hazards, the assessment of

threats to life and property, and the taking of measures to reduce potential loss to life or property. Prevention (mitigation) measures are designed to avoid or reduce the consequences of emergencies on the community. Emergency Management Committees at all levels are responsible, using the Risk Management process, to identify prevention or mitigation options, to refer these options and recommendations to the appropriate agency, and to monitor the outcomes.

109. Preparation - in relation to an emergency includes arrangements or plans to deal with an

emergency or the effects of an emergency. In addition to providing the framework for emergency planning at State level, Displan also provides policy direction for District and Local Disaster Plans (DISPLANS), which are to be developed to provide for the mobilisation of the emergency management structure and resources at those levels.

110. Response - in relation to an emergency includes the process of combating an emergency and of

providing immediate relief for persons affected by an emergency. The aim of response operations is to save lives, protect property, and render an affected area safe.

111. Recovery - in relation to an emergency includes the process of returning an affected community to

its proper level of functioning. Initially recovery operations aim to satisfy personal and community needs, and to restore services to the level where the continuing process can be managed by local government and the normal responsible agencies. It includes both human services and physical restoration

112. Long Term Recovery / Reconstruction - Long term recovery, reconstruction or rehabilitation

measures are the subject of separate arrangements. In the event that long term recovery and reconstruction are going to be needed, State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON) and the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) may recommend to the Minister or Premier the formation of a Special Recovery Coordinating Committee to coordinate long term recovery planning and coordination.

PRINCIPLES 113. The following principles are applied in this plan:

a. Responsibility for preparedness, response and recovery rests initially at Local level. If Local agencies and available resources cannot cope they are augmented by those at District level. Finally, resources and support, coordinated from the State, and possibly resources provided from the Commonwealth and other States and Territories, are used.

b. Control / Coordination of emergency response and recovery operations is conducted at

the lowest effective level. c. Designated combat agencies may deploy additional resources from their own service

from outside the affected Local Area or District if they are needed to conduct single service operations.

d. During an operation which is the legal responsibility of a designated combat

agency, the Emergency Operations Controller is responsible, when so requested by that combat agency, to coordinate the provision of support resources through the Emergency Operations Centre. The Emergency Operations Controller is responsive to the requirements of the Controller of the Combat Agency. Emergency Operations Controllers would not normally assume control of an operation from a designated combat agency unless the situation can no longer be contained and a change of control is likely to improve matters. In any case a change of control at any level can



3

only occur after consultation between SEOCON and the State Controller of the combat agency, and agreement from the latter, or at the direction of the Minister.

e. Combat Agency Controllers at all levels are required to keep Emergency Operations

Controllers advised of the situation during emergency operations which are their responsibility.

f. In the event that an Emergency Operations Controller has assumed control of an

operation which would normally be the responsibility of a combat agency, control should be passed to the combat agency as soon as the situation is stabilised and when the change of control will not adversely affect operations.

g. Emergency Operations following a terrorist attack will be controlled by SEOCON.

h. Emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations should be conducted with

all agencies carrying out their normal functions wherever possible. i. Prevention measures remain the responsibility of authorities / agencies charged by

statute with the responsibility. BUSH FIRE 114. Under the provisions of The Rural Fires Act, 1997, a "bush fire emergency" may be declared and a

person appointed to take charge of fire fighting operations and fire prevention measures by the Commissioner, under the provisions of Section 44 of the Act, as the "Commissioners delegate".

115. The appropriate Emergency Operations Controller is then to be prepared to coordinate support

resources if requested by the “Commissioners delegate”. FLOOD AND STORM 116. Subject to the requirements and provisions of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act,

1989 (as amended), and under the provisions of the State Emergency Service Act, 1989 (as amended), for the emergencies of flood and damage control for storms, including the coordination of evacuation and welfare of affected communities, the overall control of operations in response to these emergencies is vested in the Director General of the State Emergency Service.

117. The appropriate Emergency Operations Controller is then to be prepared to coordinate support

resources if requested by the appointed Local / Division State Emergency Service Controller. SECURITY OF INFORMATION 118. Displans, Sub Plans and Supporting Plans are public documents. However, they are not to contain

contact details or locations of operations centres, evacuation centres or recovery centres, unless these details are essential to the effectiveness of the plan.

119. Contact details are to be maintained separately.



4

PART TWO

PLANNING AND PREPARATION DISASTER PLANS 201. This is the New South Wales State Disaster Plan (Displan). State level Supporting Plans, for each

of the Functional Areas, and Sub Plans, developed in relation to specific hazards or emergencies, are to be produced as directed by the State Emergency Management Committee. (SEMC) Listed at Annex A are the current State level Plans.

202. Each District and Local Emergency Management Committee is to develop and maintain its own

District / Local Disaster Plan, with appropriate Supporting Plans and Sub Plans, as required by Functional Area Coordinators and Combat Agency Controllers at the appropriate level. Supporting plans are to be the exception at local level and their development must be approved by District Functional Area Coordinators.

203. The emergency risk management process is to be used as the basis for emergency planning in

NSW. This methodical approach to the planning process is to be applied by emergency management committees at all levels. Advice on the implementation of emergency risk management may be obtained from the Secretariat of the SEMC.

THE MINISTER 204. The Minister is responsible for:

a. ensuring that adequate measures are taken by government agencies to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and assist recovery from emergencies;

b. coordinating the activities of government agencies in taking those measures; and

c. arranging for the preparation and review from time to time of Displan.

STATE DISASTERS COUNCIL 205. The State Disasters Council is established under the SERM Act to advise the Minister on all

matters relating to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies. The Council is to consist of:

a. The Minister, who is the Chairperson;

b. The State Emergency Operations Controller:

c The Chairperson of the State Emergency Management Committee; and

d. representatives of such relevant government and non-government agencies as the Minister may determine. STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (SEMC) 206. The SEMC is the principal committee established by the SERM Act, for the purposes of

emergency management throughout the State and, in particular, is responsible for emergency planning at State level. The SEMC is responsible to prepare, publish and review this plan. The Committee is also responsible at State level to:



5

a. identify, evaluate, and monitor hazards and threats to life and property; b. establish and review appropriate emergency management structures at all levels; c identify emergency resources both within and outside the State and make plans for the allocation

and coordination of the use of those resources; d. establish and review systems for use in the control and coordination of emergency operations; e. review and recommend emergency management legislation (including legislation and proposals

for legislation of other agencies); f. advise the Minister on the creation of combined local government emergency management

arrangements; g. establish communication networks between functional areas at all levels; h. review plans at all levels and within each emergency services organisation and functional area; i. produce specific hazard management guidelines; j. arrange emergency management training for individuals, including individuals employed in

emergency services organisations and functional areas; k. produce and disseminate educational material on established emergency management policies and

procedures; l. arrange the conduct of training exercises to periodically test emergency management plans; m. advise the Minister on the declaration of states of emergencies; n. advise on the efficient use of local government resources in relation to Displan; o. assist in the selection and training of district and local government personnel for appointment to

relevant organisations; p. act as the single point of contact for Commonwealth support to emergency operations in New

South Wales; q. produce Standing Orders and Instructions and Standing Operating Procedures under Displan; r. assist the Minister, as required, in the preparation and review of Displan; and s. arrange for graduated warnings of emergencies to the public. EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FUNCTIONAL AREAS 207. Collectively the Emergency Services and Functional Areas, listed in Part Four of this plan, are the

operational arms within the emergency management structure. All Emergency Services, Functional Areas and other State resources are available for the conduct of emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.



6

208. Where a agency / organisation is nominated as the combat agency primarily responsible for responding to a particular emergency in Part Four of this plan, it is required to produce a Sub-Plan. Planning requirements below State level will be determined by the particular agency.

209. Each Functional Area operates under the authority of a State Functional Area Coordinator,

appointed by the SEMC in accordance with the Ministers direction. At the discretion of the SEMC, Functional Area Coordinators are required to produce Functional Area Supporting Plans which must include details of the resources which Participating and Supporting Agencies have agreed to provide. The details of both Participating and Supporting organisations are included in Part Four of this plan. The requirement for Supporting Plans below State level will be determined by State Functional Area Coordinators.

210. Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators are required to maintain communication links to,

and liaison with, the State Emergency Operations Controller, and to appoint Controllers and Coordinators respectively who perform a similar function at District level.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS 211. In the course of a response to an emergency, Emergency Service Organisations and / or Functional

Areas, may encounter community relations issues, which may arise from the emergency, or from other events. Any sub situations are to be referred to the Chairperson of the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW. If in the Chairperson’s opinion, in consultation with community leaders and CEOs of relevant Government agencies or by the Premier, the situation represents a crisis in community relations the NSW Community Relations Crisis Management may be activated. It is the responsibility of Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators to ensure that their organisations are aware of the requirement to notify of community relations issues in relation to responses to an emergency and are familiar with the contents of the Community Relations Crisis Management Plan.

FUNCTIONAL AREA SUB COMMITTEES 212. State Functional Area Coordinators are responsible for the establishment of their respective

Functional Area Sub Committee. The role of the Functional Area Sub Committee is to assist the Functional Area Coordinator in the planning for Functional Area support and resources to emergency response and recovery operations. The requirement for Functional Area Sub-Committees below State level will be determined by State Functional Area Coordinators.

DISTRICT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (DEMC) 213. The DEMC is responsible to develop and maintain a District Displan. Where no combat agency is

nominated for a hazard or emergency (by NSW Displan) the DEMC is to prepare Sub-Plans in relation to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from those hazards and emergencies in the District for which it is constituted. The DEMC is to provide support to Combat Agencies preparing Sub-Plans and to Functional Areas preparing Supporting Plans, related to specific hazards and emergencies within the District.

Some agencies represented on a DEMC will have a role in prevention measures related to a particular hazard or emergency but prevention is not a direct responsibility of a DEMC. A DEMC will interact with prevention activities through its work in implementing emergency risk management.

Emergency Management Districts are shown at Annex B. LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (LEMC) 214. The LEMC is responsible to develop and maintain a Local Displan. Where no Combat Agency is

nominated for a hazard or emergency (by NSW Displan) the LEMC is to prepare Sub-Plans in relation to the preparation for, response to and recovery from those hazards and emergencies in the



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local government area or combination of local government areas for which it is constituted. The LEMC is to provide support to Combat Agencies preparing Sub-Plans and to Functional Areas preparing Supporting Plans, related to specific hazards and emergencies within the area.

Some agencies represented on a LEMC will have a role in prevention measures related to a particular hazard or emergency but prevention is not a direct responsibility of a LEMC. A LEMC will interact with prevention activities through its work in implementing emergency risk management.. A senior representative of the council of the relevant local government area, nominated by that council is Chairperson of the LEMC

DISTRICT AND LOCAL DISPLANS 215. District and Local Displans are to recognise: a. the Combat Agencies designated in this plan; b. the Functional Areas designated in this plan; c. the roles and responsibilities of both Participating and Supporting Organisations detailed

in this plan; and d. the response and recovery procedures detailed in Parts Five and Six of this Plan. 216. District and Local Displans are also to include arrangements for the coordination of support

resources to a Combat Agency and for the handover of responsibility for emergency response and recovery operations between Local, District and State levels of the emergency management structure.

SUB-PLANS 217. Agencies designated as a Combat Agency for a particular hazard or emergency are required to

prepare a Sub-Plan for each hazard or emergency dealing with the preparation for, response to and recovery from those hazards and emergencies. The role of agencies in prevention varies from agency to agency and from hazard to hazard. All agencies involved in EMC’s are also involved in the implementation of ERM in NSW and it is through that avenue that prevention activities are linked to the work of EMC’s. In preparing a sub-plan an agency is required to communicate and consult with all other agencies and organisations that have a role or an interest in the emergency management of a hazard or emergency. All sub-plans must be reviewed and endorsed by their respective EMC’s.

Annex A: State Level Sub-Plans. SUPPORTING PLANS 218. District and Local level Functional Area Coordinators are required to prepare and maintain

Supporting Plans to the District / Local Displan, to implement their roles on a District / Local basis, and to identify the resources available from their own agency, as well as those arranged to be provided from external sources. Controllers / Coordinators are also to ensure that plans are prepared and maintained by all of the Participating, Supporting and other Organisations identified in Part Four of this plan. It will however, be common for District Level Supporting Plans to cover local requirements of a particular Functional Area, thus negating the requirement for some local Functional Area Supporting Plans

Annex A: State Level Supporting Plans.



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REVIEW OF DISASTER PLANS 219. Displans and Sub-Plans must be formally reviewed no less frequently than every five years and

reviews of relevant aspects are to be carried out following emergencies or changes of legislation. 220. Supporting Plans must also be reviewed at least every five years, but may be reviewed more

frequently at the direction of the Functional Area Coordinator. WARNING AND INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC 221. Emergency Operations Controllers and Combat Agency Controllers are responsible to ensure that

arrangements are made for appropriate warnings, and for the passage of information to the public. These arrangements are to be included in District and Local Displans and Combat Agency plans.

222. Combat agencies are primarily responsible for educating the public about how to protect themselves against those hazards for which they are responsible. STANDARD EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNAL (SEWS) 223. The Broadcast of safety information to the public in an emergency will enable the community to

take appropriate actions to protect life and property. The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) will alert the public to messages about things they can do to reduce potential loss of life and property.

224. SEWS is to only be used to warn the public when they need to take some urgent and immediate

action in order to reduce the potential for loss to life or property from emergencies such as:-

• Severe Thunderstorms • Gale Force Winds • Severe Floods • Cyclones • Hazardous Materials Emergencies • Biological Hazards • Earthquake Aftershocks • Tsunamis • Dam Failure • Bushfires

• Terrorist Act. 225. The purpose of SEWS is to:

• Alert listeners/viewers of radio/television that an official emergency announcement is about to be made concerning an actual or potential emergency.

• Alert the community at large, via a public address system, to an important official

emergency announcement. AUTHORITY TO USE SEWS 226. Emergency Operations Controllers, Combat Agency Commanders/Controllers at Local, District

and State level are authorised to use SEWS for the above purposes (vide para 223). PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF SEWS 227. Requests to the media to broadcast SEWS will be confirmed by facsimile 228. The SEMC is responsible for issuing the SEWS signal to the electronic media annually. 229. Format of Request to the Media to use SEWS, see Annex C.



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PART THREE

CONTROL, COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS

GENERAL 301. The arrangements detailed in this Part of Displan are aimed at ensuring that control and

coordination of emergencies are effective, no matter what the nature of the emergency. 302. Control and coordination are to be managed using the principles of ICS - Incident Control System

adapted to suit individual agency requirements. THE MINISTER 303. The Minister is responsible for: a. ensuring that adequate measures are taken by government agencies to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and assist recovery from emergencies; b. coordinating the activities of government agencies in taking those measures; and c. arranging for the preparation and review from time to time of Displan The Minister is also responsible to recommend to the Premier the declaration of a "state of

emergency". The format for the declaration of a State of Emergency is at Annex D. THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER (SEOCON) 304. The SEOCON is responsible for the overall direction, control and coordination of emergency

response and recovery operations at State level, for which SEOCON is the designated Controller or where there is no designated Combat Agency. The SEOCON will always be in control of emergency operations following a terrorist act.

305. The SEOCON is responsible for providing advice to the Minister on all aspects of emergency

response and recovery operations, whether there is a designated combat agency or not. 306. The SEOCON is the authorised officer for seeking Commonwealth assistance through Emergency

Management Australia. THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (SEMC) 307. The staff of the SEMC assist the SEOCON to control and coordinate emergency response and

recovery operations.

THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (SEOC) 308. The SEOC is the established centre from which the SEOCON either controls an emergency

operation, or coordinates support to the Combat Agency or Functional Area. It has the necessary communications facilities and staff (including liaison officers from the, Functional Areas and other Organisations) for these purposes. The SEOCON is to prepare and maintain Standing Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the SEOC.

309. The SEOC may be co-located with the Police Operations Centre at the discretion of the SEOCON.



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310. The SEOC is the focal point for:

a. processing requests for assistance from the Commonwealth and other States and Territories;

b. processing requests from District Emergency Operations Controllers (DEOCON’S) for

assistance from within the State; and

c. coordinating the provision of any external resources required to support operations. When functioning in support of a SEOCON controlled operation the SEOC will, in addition to the above functions, also be the focal point for:

d. intelligence collection, interpretation and dissemination; e. operational planning, including the allocation of priorities for response by the Combat

Agency, Emergency Service Organisations, Functional Areas and other Organisations; and f. disseminating information to the Government, members of the SEMC, the media and the

public. 311. In the event of the SEOC becoming inoperable, an alternate Emergency Operations Centre is to be

established at a location to be advised by the SEOCON. CONTROL / COORDINATION CENTRES 312. District and Local Emergency Operations Controllers, Controllers of Agencies / Organisations

with a designated Combat Agency role, and Functional Area Coordinators, are to establish and maintain a Control / Coordination Centre as appropriate. This Centre is to provide the necessary staff and facilities for the Controller / Coordinator to conduct the operations for which the Agency / Organisation or Functional Area is responsible.

ARRANGEMENTS AT DISTRICT LEVEL District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON) 313. The Region Commander of Police for each Emergency Management District is appointed as the

DEOCON. The DEOCON is responsible for the overall control and coordination of emergency response and recovery operations at District level for which the DEOCON is the designated controller, where there is no designated Combat Agency, or where it is necessary to coordinate two or more local level operations which are controlled by Emergency Operations Controllers or when directed by SEOCON

314. The DEOCON is to establish and maintain a District Emergency Operations Centre. (DEOC) The

Centre is the focal point for activities, similar to those conducted at the SEOC. It is used to either control operations, or coordinate support. The DEOCON is responsible to ensure that the DEOC is activated to an appropriate level whenever there is an emergency operation and District level support resources may be required

315. District level Controllers of Agencies / Organisations with a Combat Agency role, and District

level Functional Area Coordinators, are to establish their own Control / Coordination Centres in accordance with the structure of their organisations from which to:



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a. control / coordinate emergency operations for which they have been designated in this plan as the Combat Agency;

b. coordinate the provision of support and resources required; and c. provide support and resources to the DEOCON. 316. Ideally the District (or intermediate level) structure of Agencies / Organisations and Functional

Areas should conform to the Emergency Management Districts. Where this is not possible for operational or administrative reasons, particular care is to be taken by the DEOCON to ensure that the control and coordination arrangements for emergency operations are designed to take this into account.

ARRANGEMENTS AT LOCAL LEVEL Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) 317. The DEOCON is to appoint a LEOCON for each Local Government Area or combination of Local

Government Areas. The LEOCON is responsible to activate the LEOC to an appropriate level whenever an emergency occurs in the Council Area, or to coordinate the provision of local level resources in response to requests from a Combat Agency operation, or as directed by the DEOCON.

318. The LEOCON is responsible for the control and coordination of emergency response and recovery

measures where there is no designated Combat Agency within the local government area. 319. The LEOCON is to establish and maintain a LEOC. The Centre is the focal point for activities

similar to those conducted at the District Emergency Operations Centre. It is used to either control operations, or coordinate support to a Combat Agency or a Functional Area.

320. Local level Controllers of Agencies / Organisations with a Combat Agency role, and Local level

Functional Area Coordinators, are to establish their own Control / Coordination Centres in accordance with the structure of their organisations from which to:

a. control / coordinate emergency operations for which they have been designated in this plan

as the Combat Agency;

b. coordinate the provision of support and resources required by a Combat Agency or Functional Areas, if; and

c. provide support and resources to the LEOCON. LIAISON OFFICERS 321. Controllers / Coordinators are to appoint Liaison Officers to represent them in Emergency

Operations Centres or Combat Agency Operations Centres. Liaison Officers are to be capable of providing immediate advice to the appropriate Emergency Operations Controller or the Combat Agency on the capabilities and current status of resources of their Agency / Organisation or Functional Area, and should have the authority to commit resources from their respective Agency/Organisation / Functional Area.

322. Liaison Officers are to be provided by supporting agencies to the Combat Agency or Emergency

Operations Centre, whichever is in control of the operation. It will not always be necessary for Liaison Officers to be deployed if reliable communications are available between the controller of the operation and the commanders of the supporting agencies. This decision rests with the Controller of the Operation



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OPERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 323. Operational control and coordination relationships at State level are shown in the diagram at

Annex H. COMMUNICATIONS 324. The landline services (telephone and facsimile) are the primary means of communication for the

control and coordination of emergency response and recovery operations. 325. Should the primary communications means not be available, or are unable to provide the

flexibility required, radio communications are the alternative means, using established radio networks.

326. To counter the possibility of a communications (landline and radio) failure between Emergency

Operations Centres and Agency Control / Functional Area Coordination Centres, Controllers / Coordinators are to include the need for personnel and transport specifically to provide a courier service in their operational planning.

327. Communication links (landline) for the SEOCON are established and routinely maintained

between the State Emergency Operations Centre, and: a. The Minister; b. Agency Control Centres and Functional Area Coordination Centres; c. District Emergency Operations Centres; d. The National Emergency Management Coordination Centre; e. The Public Information Coordination Centre; 328. In addition to the above links, communications links are established and routinely maintained

between State level Agency Control Centres and Functional Area Coordination Centres and: a. District Control / Coordination Centres; and

b. Participating and Supporting Organisations of each Agency and Functional Area at State level.

329. Agency Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators are responsible to provide: a. External communications facilities in their State Control / Coordination Centres;

b. Communication links to the SEOC from their State Control / Coordination Centres; and

c. Communication links to the various Participating and Supporting Organisations of their Agency or Functional Area.



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PART FOUR

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES GENERAL 401. This Part describes the primary roles and responsibilities of Emergency Services, Functional Areas

and other Organisations. Participating and Supporting Organisations have been grouped together on the basis of the most efficient provision of resources to support emergency operations.

402. The State Emergency Management Committee has determined the roles and responsibilities on the

basis that they are likely to be the most efficient and effective for emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations. This does not preclude the flexibility to adjust roles and responsibilities if circumstances demand.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS 403. The Government Departments, statutory authorities, volunteer organisations and other agencies

listed as Participating Organisations have either given formal notice to Agency Controllers or Functional Area Coordinators, or have acknowledged to the State Emergency Management Committee, that they are willing to participate in emergency response and recovery operations under the direction of the Controller of a Combat Agency, or Coordinator of a Functional Area, and with levels of resources or support as appropriate to the emergency operation.

404. Where such resource coordination arrangements exist, the agreed roles, tasks, responsibilities and

access arrangements for the support of Participating Organisations are to be recorded in Combat Agency or relevant Functional Area plans.

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS 405. Supporting Organisations have indicated a willingness to participate and provide specialist support

resources. Supporting Organisations are listed in this Part. 406. Where such coordination arrangements are required for the conduct of emergency response and

recovery operations, the agreed roles, tasks and responsibilities of the Supporting Organisations should be recorded in Combat Agency or Functional Area Plans.



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AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL SERVICES COORDINATOR: Executive Director (Biosecurity, Compliance and Mine Safety) Department of Primary Industries ROLES: 1. Is the designated Combat Agency for animal, pest and plant disease emergencies. This includes

implementing procedures in conjunction with State and National authorities for the eradication or control of exotic animal diseases, including:

a. detection, diagnosis, risk assessment and surveillance of the disease; b. destruction and disposal of infected animals, plants and products as required; c. disinfection of contaminated areas, buildings and vehicles; d. programs for vector control, for example, insect and feral animal control; f. quarantine controls for the movement of persons, animals and plants; and g. provision of adequate trained staff to ensure quarantine requirements are observed. 2. Provide immediate animal care services and continuing rehabilitation assistance to primary

producers, including: a. assessment of injured stock;

b. disposal of carcasses;

c. assessment of rural property losses and damage to buildings, fences, crops, equipment

and fodder;

d. coordination of the supply and distribution of emergency fodder supplies and other materials;

e. administration of financial assistance to victims; f. assistance to primary producers suffering emergency induced traumas, in conjunction

with the Department of Community Services; and

g. with support of Participating and Supporting Organisations, manage the care of companion pets.

3. With support of Participating and Supporting Organisations, provide animal care services for

wildlife, for domestic animals, and for companion pets of victims evacuated from an area affected by an emergency.

4. Planning for response and recovery operations for agricultural emergencies, and advising on

animal care, veterinary public health, and plant disease control measures.



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PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS Department of Primary Industries Department of Environment and Conservation State Council of Rural Lands Protection Boards NSW Farmers' Association Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Wildlife Information & Rescue Service (WIRES) Animal Welfare League Local Government Association of NSW and Shires Association of NSW SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Australian Wildlife Ambulance Rescue Emergencies (AWARE) Horse Rescue Australia Royal NSW Canine Council Australian Veterinary Association (NSW Division) Australian Chicken Meat Federation Australian Egg Corporation Limited Pet Industry Australia Royal Agricultural Society Cat Control Animal Welfare Advisory Council Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers Native Animal Trust Fund NSW Food Authority Hanrob Pet Care Centre NSW Fauna and Marine Park Association Hornsby / Ku-ring-gai Agricultural and Animal Emergency Group Manly / Warringah / Pittwater Agricultural and Animal Emergency Group



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AMBULANCE SERVICE OF NSW

CONTROLLER: General Manager, Operational Services Ambulance Service of NSW ROLES: 1. Provide pre-hospital care and transport for the sick and injured. 2. Establish command and control infrastructure utilising ICS principles. 3. Provide and/or assume responsibility for transport of Health Service teams and their equipment to

the sites of incidents or emergencies, receiving hospitals or emergency medical facilities when so requested by the Health Services Functional Area Coordinator.

4. Provide coordinated communications for all health systems involved in emergency responses. 5. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited “rescue units”. 6. Provide specialist Special Casualty Access Team (SCAT) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

paramedics as required 7. Provide fixed and rotary wing pre-hospital and aero-medical retrieval services across New South

Wales. PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS Aeromedical and Medical Retrieval Services Surf Life Saving Association Helicopter Rescue Services Care Flight Ltd SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS NSW Health St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (NSW Section) Red Cross Voluntary Aid Service Corps



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COMMUNICATION SERVICES

COORDINATOR: Director of Operations Emergency Services and Sector Projects Department of Commerce ROLES: 1. Provide communications support to Combat Agencies, Functional Areas and other Organisations

involved in the incident/emergency. 2. Coordinate, in conjunction with the Telecommunication Service Providers including licensed

carriers, the establishment of communication services either temporarily or permanently as required.

3. Coordinate the supply of advice to the SEOC/SEOCON from telecommunications service

providers including Carriers (under the Telecommunications Act 1997) in accordance with communications supply continuity plans.

Note: This functional area does not affect the management of normal restoration and management

work carried out by telecommunications service providers including licensed carriers. The purpose of this functional area is to coordinate a large scale response to an incident/emergency.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS: NSW Department of Commerce Members of the State Emergency Management Committee. Telecommunications Service Providers: Sing Tel Optus Telstra Corporation Vodafone Hutchison Telecommunications AAPT Other service providers (that may be invited from time to time) SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: Australian Communications and Media Authority DOCITA ACIF



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ENERGY AND UTILITY SERVICES

COORDINATOR: Executive Director Energy Systems NSW Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability ROLES: 1. Provide Energy and Utility support to a Combat Agency, and other Functional Areas or

Organisations involved in the emergency. 2. Coordinate (in conjunction with the Engineering Functional Area) the establishment of electrical

power, water, sewerage, petroleum and gas supplies, either temporarily or permanently as required.

3. Coordinate the supply of advice to the SEOCON from Utility and Energy providers in accordance

with Utility and Energy Supply continuity plans.

NOTE: This functional area does not effect the management of normal restoration and management work carried out by an energy or utility provider. The purpose of this function is to coordinate a large scale response to an emergency.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS NSW Department of Commerce NSW Police Electricity Supply Natural Gas Supply Delta Electricity ActewAGL Eraring Energy Agility Management

(representing Macquarie Generation AGL Gas Networks & Australian Snowy Hydro Pipeline Trust) Transgrid AGL Wholesale Country Energy Country Energy Gas Networks Energy Australia Alinta Network Services Integral Energy National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO) Water Supply Petroleum & PLG Supply Sydney Water Caltex Australia Hunter Water The Shell Company of Australia Sydney Catchment Authority Trafigura Fuels State Water NSW Elgas Limited ActewAGL SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Australian Institute of Petroleum The Water Directorate



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ENGINEERING SERVICES

COORDINATOR: Office of Government Business NSW Department of Commerce ROLES: 1. Provide Engineering Services support to combat agencies and other functional areas or

organisations involved in emergencies. 2. Direct the State’s engineering resources for emergency response and recovery operations. 3. Coordinate the supply of goods and services in response to an emergency. NOTE: Includes: clearance and re-establishment of roads and bridges; structural assessments, demolition

and shoring up of buildings; removal of debris, construction of levees to control flooding; maintenance of essential services to facilities; re-establishment of water and sewerage services outside Sydney Water and Hunter Water areas; and other related matters and tasks as requested by Combat Agencies or other Agencies.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS Department of Commerce Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability Department of Environment and Conservation Hunter Water Corporation National Parks and Wildlife Services Ports Authorities Rail Corp Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales State Forests of NSW Sydney City Sydney Water SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS AGL (trading as Agility) Association of Consulting Engineers Australia Australian Earthmovers and Roadmakers Federation (NSW Branch) Department of Local Government Institution of Engineers Australia



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ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

COORDINATOR: Executive Director Operations Department of Environment and Conservation ROLES: 1. Protect the environment during emergency response and recovery operations. 2. Coordinate scientific support for the on scene Controller during operations to combat the pollution

of the sea and inland waters within New South Wales. 3. Advise and coordinate scientific support to the New South Wales Fire Brigades during land based

hazardous materials emergency response operations. 4. Advise the Combat Agency, and other Functional Areas or Organisations involved in the

emergency, on environmentally sound and legal practices for the disposal of wastes or contaminated materials resulting from an emergency.

5. Once the material has been rendered safe, direct and coordinate cleanup of hazardous materials

which pose a threat to the environment.

6. Conduct post response operations investigations following incidents or emergencies involving hazardous materials.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS Department of Environment and Conservation Land and Inland Waters Australian Rail Track Corporation Department of Commerce NSW Fire Brigades Local Councils NSW Rural Fire Service RailCorp Roads and Traffic Authority State Waters WSN Environmental Solutions WorkCover Authority NSW NSW Maritime Authority Newcastle Port Corporation Port Kembla Port Corporation Sydney Ports Corporation SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Department of Local Government Department of Planning Department of Natural Resources Environmental Trust Industry Associations - Plastics and Chemical Industry Association (PACIA) - Business Australia - Australian Institute of Petroleum - NSW Road Transport Association Incorporated Local Government Association of NSW and Shires Association of NSW



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NSW FIRE BRIGADES CONTROLLER: Commissioner NSW Fire Brigades ROLES: 1. In relation to Fire Districts, prescribed in the New South Wales Fire Brigades Act, 1989 (as

amended), is the designated Combat Agency for taking all practicable measures for preventing and extinguishing fires and protecting and saving life and property in case of fire in any fire district.

2. Is the designated Combat Agency for land based hazardous materials incidents and emergencies

within New South Wales, specifically for taking all practicable measures:

(a) for protecting and saving life and property endangered by hazardous material incidents; and

(b) for confining or ending such an incident; and

(c) for rendering the site of such an incident safe.

OTHER ROLES 1. Provide fire control services by: a. dealing with outbreaks of fire and the rescue of persons in fire endangered areas; b. taking such measures as may be practicable to prevent the outbreak of fires; and c. on land, dealing with the escape of hazardous materials or a situation which involves the

imminent danger of such an escape. 2. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited "rescue units". 3. Assist in any other response or recovery operations for which the Fire Brigades' training and

equipment is suitable, for example, the provision of emergency water supplies and pumping equipment.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS NSW Fire Brigades NSW Rural Fire Service National Parks and Wildlife Service State Forests of New South Wales



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HEALTH SERVICES COORDINATOR: General Manager Health Services Development and Planning ROLES: Coordinate and control the mobilisation of all health responses to emergencies. This includes ambulance, medical, mental and public health and health communication services, and involves: a. the mobilisation of health resources to the emergency site or sites and the initiation of

prioritised patient management;

b. the provision of coordinated hospital and medical response to emergencies; c. the provision of mental health services to victims, emergency workers, and the

communities affected by emergencies;

d. the provision of public health services to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

e. a coordinated health communications response for prevention, preparation, emergency

response and subsequent recovery from the impacts. New South Wales Health is the Combat Agency for all Health Emergencies within NSW. This particularly applies to human infectious disease emergencies from whatever cause. Five major contributing health service components constitute the whole of health response incorporating all-hazards approach. They are: a. Medical Services; b. Ambulance Services; c. Mental Health Services; d. Public Health Services; and e. Health Communications. PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS NSW Health Department Ambulance Service of NSW Australian Red Cross Blood Service Australian Red Cross (NSW Division) Department of Community Services Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (NSW Section) St John Ambulance Australia (NSW Division) SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Private Hospitals Nursing Homes Local Government Councils



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NSW POLICE CONTROLLER: Deputy Commissioner, Operations NSW Police ROLES: 1. Is the agency responsible for law enforcement. 2. Is the agency responsible for search and rescue. 3. As necessary, control and coordinate the evacuation of victims from the area affected by the

emergency. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 4. Maintain law and order, protect life and property, and provide assistance and support to a Combat

Agency, Functional Areas, and other Organisations as required. This may include: a. reconnaissance of the area affected by the emergency; b. traffic control, and crowd control;

c. access and egress route security and control; d. identifying the dead and injured, and notifying next of kin; e. establishing body holding areas; f. maintaining the security of property; g. statutory investigative requirements; and

h. operation of a public enquiry centre capable of providing general information on incidents and emergencies to members of the public.

5. Respond accredited "rescue units" to general and specialist rescue incidents, and control and

coordinate rescue operations. (See note next page). 6. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited "rescue units". 7. Manage Disaster Victim Registration, and a disaster victim enquiry system capable of: a. Providing a Disaster Victim Registration system for victims of emergencies; b. Managing a disaster victim enquiry centre capable of providing relatives and close

friends with basic details on the location and safety of victims of emergencies occurring within New South Wales; and

c. Managing a similar disaster victim enquiry service when the National Registration and

Inquiry System (NRIS) are activated in relation to emergencies in other States and Territories.



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PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS: NSW Police Search and Rescue Operations Volunteer Rescue Association and Affiliated Organisations NOTE: During emergency operations, accredited "rescue units" of the Volunteer Rescue Association may

be requested to perform rescue and other specialist tasks in support of the Combat Agency, Functional Area or other Organisations.

Support from a Combat Agency, Functional Area or other Organisations as necessary. SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Incidents / Emergency Operations The State Coroner NSW Institute of Forensic Medicine Funeral Directors' Association of New South Wales Disaster Victim Registration Support Agencies from the Functional Area - Welfare Services, as appropriate Support from a Combat Agency, Functional Areas or other Organisations as necessary Victim Enquiry Centre Operation Australian Red Cross NSW Disaster Victim Identification NSW Institute of Forensic Medicine NSW Health Department NOTES: 1. The senior member of the NSW Police present at the scene of a rescue operation is responsible for

coordinating and determining the priorities of action of the persons engaged in the rescue operation. This applies whether those persons are members of a permanent or volunteer agency except when control is vested by law in another agency (such as when the person or property is endangered by an actual fire at which a member of the Fire Brigade is in charge of the fire ground, or when the operation results from an emergency which is subject to the control of another person or Combat Agency). This applies despite anything to the contrary in any other Act.

2. Some members of the NSW Police are appointed under the provisions of the State Emergency and

Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), as Emergency Operations Controllers. Roles and responsibilities of Emergency Operations Controllers are detailed earlier in this plan.



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PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES

COORDINATOR: Commander, Public Affairs Branch

NSW Police ROLES: Assist the effective conduct of emergency response and recovery operations by co-ordinating the release of official and current information to the media and the public about the emergency, including measures being undertaken or planned. This requires: a. establishing a Media Information Centre, arranging media conferences on behalf of the State

Emergency Operations Controller and, when appropriate, arranging access by journalists to the area affected by the emergency;

b. preparing media releases on behalf of the State Emergency Operations Controller; c. establishing a Joint Media Information Centre (JMIC) for the dissemination of information to the

public, but excluding inquiries regarding victims; and d. preparing and issuing official messages to the public for broadcast by the media (which may be

preceded by the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS). PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS New South Wales Police Premier's Media Unit NSW Fire Brigades Ambulance Service of NSW NSW Rural Fire Service State Emergency Service Department of Primary Industries Department of Commerce Department of Environment and Conservation NSW Health Department Department of Transport Department of Community Services SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Australian Broadcasting Corporation Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters New South Wales Newspapers Sydney Airport Corporation Limited



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NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE

CONTROLLER: Commissioner NSW Rural Fire Service ROLE: 1. In relation to Rural Fire Districts, prescribed in the Rural Fires Act, 1997 (as amended), is the

designated Combat Agency for fire incidents and emergencies. OTHER ROLES 1. Provide fire control services by: a. dealing with outbreaks of bush fire and the rescue of persons in bush fire endangered areas; and b. taking such measures as may be practicable to prevent the outbreak of bush fires. 2. Assist in any other response or recovery operations for which the Rural Fire Services' training and

equipment is suitable, for example, the provision of emergency water supplies and pumping equipment.

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS NSW Rural Fire Service NSW Fire Brigades National Parks and Wildlife Service State Forests of New South Wales Local Government Authorities



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NSW STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

CONTROLLER: Director-General NSW State Emergency Service ROLES: 1. Is the designated Combat Agency for dealing with floods, and to coordinate the rescue, evacuation

and welfare of affected communities.(See Note 1 below). This includes planning for and responding to Tsunami, particularly for the warning and evacuation. (See Note 2 below).

2. Is the designated Combat Agency for damage control for storms and to coordinate the evacuation

and welfare of affected communities (See Note 1 below). This includes damage control for coastal erosion and inundation from storm activity, specifically the protection of life and the coordination of the protection of readily moveable household goods and commercial stock and equipment. (See Note 3 below).

OTHER ROLES 1. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited "rescue units". 2. On request, assist the NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Service or Ambulance Service

in dealing with incidents or emergencies. NOTE: 1. Responsibility for evacuees related to flood and storm emergencies is to be handed over to the

Welfare Services as soon as possible. 2. The potential for an extremely high scale of impact of a single Tsunami episode means that in

some circumstances (as agreed at the time between DG SES and SEOCON) control of the rescue and recovery will pass to SEOCON. ( See NSW Tsunami Emergency Management Sub-Plan).

3. Planning for and construction of physical mitigation works required for the protection of coastal

property during storm events is the responsibility of local government councils as per section 55B (1) and 55C (b) of the Coastal Protection Act. 1979 (as amended).



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TRANSPORT SERVICES

COORDINATOR Manager Security and Emergency Management Ministry of Transport ROLES: 1. Coordinate the provision of transport support as required by a Combat Agency and other

Functional Areas, whilst maintaining as far as practicable, the normal operations and activities of public and commercial transport services. Tasks for providing transport to other agencies might include:

a. movement of emergency equipment and personnel;

b. movement of emergency supplies and goods, including water, fuel and food; c. evacuation of people; and d. assistance for medical transport. 2. Maintain and operate a road condition / closure advisory service to a Combat Agency, Functional

Areas and members of the public. PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS Department of Transport State Mail Service State Rail Authority of NSW Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW State Transit Authority of NSW NSW Taxi Council Bus and Coach Association Rail Infrastructure Corporation Regional Airlines Association NSW Maritime Authority Freight Corporation Railway Services Authority Road Transport Authority SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Australian Chamber of Shipping Commercial Aviation Operators Oil Companies Department of Local Government Local Government Authorities Private Courier Services Pipeline Authority National Roads and Motorists Association Private Transport Companies The Linfox Distribution Group



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VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION

CONTROLLER: Director of Operations Volunteer Rescue Association ROLE: 1. As determined by the State Rescue Board, provide accredited "rescue units". RESPONSIBILITIES: 2. Assist, at their request, the relevant Combat Agency and members of the NSW Police, NSW Fire

Brigades, Rural Fire Service, Ambulance Service or State Emergency Service in dealing with an emergency.

PARTICIPATING AND AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS Marine Search and Rescue Port Macquarie Sea Rescue Group Point Danger Air Sea Rescue Organisation Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Association Tuross Sea Rescue Group Tweed Coast Sea Rescue Squad Woolgoolga Rescue Squad In Shore Camden Haven Sea Rescue Squad Narooma Rescue Squad Wooli Rescue Squad Land Search and Rescue The federation of Bushwalking Clubs Search and Rescue Group The Cave Rescue Squad Snowfields The Ski Patrol Communications The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN) The Citizen's Radio Emergency Service Teams (CREST) Air Search and Rescue The Volunteer Air Patrol



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WELFARE SERVICES

COORDINATOR: State Disaster Recovery Manager Department of Community Services RESPONSE 1. During response and recovery operations, provide welfare services to victims of incidents and

emergencies. This may require: a. establishing Evacuation Centres to manage the provision of emergency accommodation,

essential material needs, and the delivery of welfare services to victims of incidents and emergencies;

b. providing welfare information, and advisory services, to victims; c. providing personal welfare support, and referral services;

d. providing immediate financial aid;

e. managing donations; f. providing mobile welfare services teams;

g. ensuring, in conjunction with Agricultural & Animal Services, the provision of companion animal care; and

h. ensuring, in conjunction with Health Services, the provision of medical and mental health

(counselling) services. 2. Mobilise and coordinate catering facilities and services to provide: a. feeding of victims of emergencies, including evacuees in transit or in Evacuation and

Recovery Centres, and displaced or homeless people in short term emergency accommodation centres; and

b. by arrangement, meals for personnel engaged in emergency response and recovery

operations. RECOVERY 3. a. Establishing Recovery Centres to manage the welfare needs of victims;

b. Coordinate emergency accommodation for homeless victims of emergencies;

c. Arrange for the provision of Welfare Services for victims; and

d. Provide emergency financial assistance to victims of emergencies.



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PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS: Department of Community Services The Salvation Army ADRA St Vincent de Paul Society Australian Red Cross NSW Anglicare SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: Department of Primary Industries NSW Health Department of Housing Community Relations Commission Department of Commerce (Fair Trading) Department Of Education and Training Centrelink Local Government Association



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OTHER SPECIALIST ORGANISATIONS

COMMONWEALTH SUPPORT (Department of Defence): 1. Access to Commonwealth support is arranged by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC)

through the National Emergency Management Coordination Centre (NEMCC) of Emergency Management Australia (EMA), located in Canberra.

2. Australian Defence Force Liaison Officers (ADFLO) may deploy to the State Emergency

Operations Centre or equivalent, and to the District and/or Local Emergency Operations Centres. Their location will be determined by the likely location of Defence support. For emergencies at district level or above, the Operations Room at Joint Operations Support Staff - Sydney Central (JOSS-SC) will be activated. After approval for emergency Defence` support has been given Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) will task Defence Component Headquarters to provide appropriate resources, and ADFLO will be coordinated by Joint Operations Support Staff – Sydney Central (JOSS-SC)

3. There are two specific types of support available to the civil community or in support of civilian

authorities from the Australian Defence Force. These are Defence Assistance to the Civil Community and Defence Force Aid to the Civil Authority. The characteristics of these support categories are as follows:

a. Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC). DACC is the most common type of

Defence support provided. During emergencies, when the State has officially requested the assistance of the Australian Defence Force and resources are subsequently deployed, a Defence Regional Plan will be activated and operate in cohesion with the STATE DISPLAN. Defence may provide specialist personnel, equipment, facilities or capabilities which are either not available to, or have been exhausted from, State resources. There are three categories of emergency DACC. They are:

i. DACC Category One: Category One is emergency assistance for a specific task(s)

provided by Local Commanders/Administrators, from within their own resources, in localised emergency situations when immediate action is necessary to save human life, alleviate suffering, prevent extensive loss of animal life or prevent widespread loss/damage to property. Provision of DACC One assistance should not normally exceed 24 hours without Ministerial approval.

ii. DACC Category Two: Category Two is emergency assistance beyond that provided

under Category One, in a more extensive or continuing disaster, where action is necessary to save human life or alleviate suffering, prevent widespread loss/damage to property and when State resources are inadequate.

iii. DACC Category Three: Category Three is assistance associated with recovery from a

civil emergency or disaster, which is not directly related to the saving of life or property. Note that there are indemnity and insurance issues associated with Category Three and that this assistance is provided at full cost recovery unless a cost waiver / variation is approved.

b. Defence Aid to the Civil Power (DFACP). This is the provision of Defence Force assistance to

civil law enforcement authorities in the performance of law enforcement tasks usually under National Counter Terrorist arrangements. Defence Force elements employed on DFACP tasking are armed and may be authorised to use lethal force.



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ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: ADF RESOURCES ALLOCATED ON DACC TASKING 4. ADF resources made available for relief operations remain under the command of the ADF

personnel. The Australian Defence Force Liaison Officers (ADFLO) operating in the Local, District and State Emergency Operation Centres will facilitate the interface between the ADF commanders and State authorities at those Centres.

When ADF resources are deployed they are normally self-sufficient. However, in the event of unforeseen requirements, support from State resources may be provided to Defence elements deployed in support of a declared State emergency. 5. ADF resources are made available for specific tasks, under the direction of the State Emergency

Operations Controller (SEOCON) and the National Emergency Management Coordination Centre (NEMCC).

HIGH RISK ENGINEER SEARCH (HRES)/EXPLOSIVE DETECTION DOGS (EDD) 6. Request for support of HRES teams and or EDD usually originate from the NSW Police Duty

Operations Inspector (DOI) and are normally first directed to the OPS SPT BR Duty Officer 7. Deployment of HRES and EDD teams are classified as DACC Cat One tasks. This allows HRES

or EDD teams to deploy to incident sites in a timely fashion with minimum disruption in order to prevent loss of life or property damage.

DISPOSAL OF EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES 8. For the purposes of this plan Explosive Ordinance (EO) is defined as ammunition or explosives.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are devices, other than normal military munitions, which are specifically built to maim or kill. For example, sticks of gelignite by themselves would be classified as EO. However, sticks of gelignite with a timing device, such as a clock, and with detonators attached would be IED.

9. Defence is responsible for dealing with all items of military ammunition and explosives. The

NSW Police is responsible, in the first instance, for dealing with all types of commercial ammunition and explosives. The NSW Police may call for Defence assistance in dealing with or disposing of all classes of EO and IED.

10. Requests for Defence assistance for the disposal of EO and/or IED should be directed in the first

instance to the DOI or the Rescue Coordinator at VKG Communications, at the Sydney Police Centre, Sydney. The Duty Operations Inspector (DOI) or his/her representative will then request Defence assistance if required. Addresses may contact OPS SPT BR Duty Officer direct and request the collection and or disposal of EO or IED.



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MINES RESCUE

MINES RESCUE BOARD OF NEW SOUTH WALES Roles: 1. To provide a rescue service capable of responding to, and dealing with, emergencies arising at

underground coal mines in New South Wales; and 2. To enable that rescue service to be used in connection with emergencies at other mines.



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PART FIVE

EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS

GENERAL 501. This Part describes the sequence of actions required to mobilise the emergency management

structure for the conduct of response operations. The provisions of Displan apply without the need for any activation of this plan or the declaration of a state of emergency.

502. On many occasions emergencies occur as the result of an escalating incident, for example, floods,

or animal health emergencies, and, provided an efficient intelligence gathering system is in place, it should be possible to give the emergency management structure sufficient warning to mobilise effectively. However, for impact emergencies such as earthquakes, major industrial and transport accidents, and unpredicted storms and bush fires, there is unlikely to be much warning, so the structure must be able to activate quickly.

EARLY WARNING 503. District Emergency Operations Controllers (DEOCON’s) are to advise the State Emergency

Operations Centre (SEOC) as soon as an operation occurs, or is likely to occur for which they are required to assume control, or to coordinate support to a Combat Agency

504. Combat Agency Controllers are to advise the SEOC as soon as a District level emergency occurs. MOBILISATION STAGES AT STATE LEVEL 505. Alert Stage

The SEOC always monitors situations and passes information to the State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON), the Government, Combat Agencies and Functional Areas, and is always at the ‘alert stage’.

506. Call Out Stage

When the SEOCON believes that an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is imminent for which he/she is responsible he/she may order a "Call Out" to deploy the resources of Agencies, Functional Areas and other Organisations to assigned tasks. When an emergency has occurred, is occurring or is imminent which is the responsibility of a designated Combat Agency, he/she may order a “call out” in order to place those resources at the disposal of the Combat Agency. Not all resources may necessarily be deployed, and some may remain on "Standby" for subsequent support operations. The State Emergency Operations Controller may also recommend to the Minister the declaration of a "State of Emergency" for all or part of the State.

507. The SEOCON may direct "Call Out" without declaring an alert, when insufficient warning is

received to allow for the graduated mobilisation of the emergency management structure. 508. Stand Down Stand down will occur when the SEOCON is satisfied that the emergency has been contained.



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SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS AT STATE LEVEL 509. Alert Stage a. The SEOCON will:

1. order the partial activation of the SEOC, State Control and Coordination

Centres, and appropriate District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOC’s); 2. ensure all DEOCON’s, and State Agency Controllers and Functional Area

Coordinators are informed of the activation of the SEOC, and the reasons for the activation;

3. ensure that intelligence on the emergency is being collected, processed and

disseminated to and from State Control and Coordination Centres and appropriate DEOC’s

4. monitor the adequacy of District resources to cope with the emergency; 5. inform the Minister, and provide advice on the situation, including whether or

not the declaration of a "State of Emergency" may be necessary;

6. inform the National Emergency Management Coordination Centre of the situation; and

7. arrange for the media and the public to be informed.

b. Agency Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators are to:

1. activate their Control /Coordination Centres as required;

2. if requested deploy liaison officers to the SEOC to provide information on the event to the SEOC and to pass information and tasking directions to State Control and Coordination Centres; and

3. advise Participating, Supporting and other Organisations of the situation.

4. prepare to deploy resources.

510. Call Out Stage a. The SEOCON controls operations and coordinates support, in particular for: 1. follow-up resources or additional measures to counter unforeseen developments; 2. requests for assistance from the Commonwealth or other States and Territories; 3. the coordination of resource support to a Combat Agency, other Agencies or

Functional Areas engaged in response operations; 4. the passage of information to the Minister, media and the public, and 5. the management of offers of assistance from the public. b. DEOCON’s, supported by District level Agency Controllers and Functional Area



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Coordinators, control and coordinate operations and in accordance with the SEOCON’s directions. Ensuring in particular that:

1. the SEOCON and Participating or Supporting Organisations are kept fully

informed on progress and developments; 2. that their Liaison Officers are kept fully informed on the deployment and

availability status of resources, and the capability to sustain response operations; and

3. that planning for recovery operations occurs concurrently.

c. DEOCON in Districts not directly affected by, but adjoining the area of an emergency, are to activate their DEOC to an appropriate level, and inform District level Agency Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators of the situation. The SEOC is to be advised activation has occurred.

511. Stand Down

When the SEOCON is satisfied that the emergency has been contained, he/she is to: a. inform the Minister, and recommend either cancellation of the "state of emergency" if

one is in force, or, to cover the period of recovery operations if necessary, its extension. The time of cancellation is then to be advised to relevant DEOCON’s, Agency Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators;

b. advise all concerned of the arrangements to apply during emergency recovery operations;

c. arrange for the media and public to be informed; and

d. advise the procedures for an operational debrief. PROCEDURES AT DISTRICT AND LOCAL LEVELS 512. The mobilisation stages and sequence of actions at District and Local levels are to reflect the

actions detailed above. EVACUATION 513. Evacuation of persons or animals from an area of danger or potential danger is a possible strategy

in combating any particular hazard impact. Decision 514. The decision to evacuate persons or animals is not a decision which should be taken lightly.

Evacuation necessitates a coordinated approach to ensure that all of the evacuees needs are met. In some circumstances, it may be more appropriate for people to remain in place and take other measures to ensure their safety.

515. The requirement to evacuate or stay should ideally be identified during the planning process and

be included in Agencies’ Sub Plans or Standing Operating Procedures as necessary. However on occasions immediate evacuation may become necessary.

516. The Agencies with the authority to order evacuation are to ensure that the affected community is

informed, through a public information programme, of the proposed evacuation. 517. The Controller responsible at the time (Combat Agency Controller or EOCON) will determine the



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need for evacuation. 518. If evacuation is the preferred option, the controller is to consult with:

a. the Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator to identify a safe and suitable Evacuation Assembly Area or Welfare Centre.

b. consult with the Transport Services Functional Area Co-ordinator to arrange suitable

transport from and return to the affected area. c. consult with the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area Coordinator to

arrange safe and suitable animal evacuation areas / centres. Authority 519. The authority to order an evacuation should also be clear. The following table indicates which

individuals and organisations have the authority to order an evacuation of persons or animals and under which circumstances.

INDIVIDUAL/ORGANISATION CIRCUMSTANCES

The Minister, or an “emergency services officer” (as defined) when authorised by the Minister.

During a declared State of Emergency, direct a person to leave premises and move out of an emergency area or part thereof, taking any persons in their care with them and/or not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. (S.37 - SERM Act)

A senior Police Officer (of or above the rank of Sergeant) A Police Officer

If satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so for the purpose of protecting persons from injury or death threatened by an actual or imminent emergency. (S.60L - SERM Act) The NSW Police Act empowers police officers to evacuate persons considered at risk. This authority to evacuate is more widely used on a day-to-day basis than that granted under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act.

The Fire Brigade Officer in charge at a fire or hazardous materials incident

Take such measures as the officer thinks fit to protect life and property and to remove any persons, vehicle, vessel or thing which might interfere with the work of the Fire Brigades. (S13;19 - Fire Brigades Act)

Rural Fire Service The officer in charge of a rural fire brigade or group of rural fire brigades may cause any street or public place in the vicinity of a fire, incident or other emergency to be closed to traffic.

The Director-General of the State Emergency Service, or an ‘emergency officer’ (as defined) when authorised by the Director-General

Direct a person to leave premises and move out of an emergency area or part thereof, taking any persons in their care with them and/or not to enter an emergency area or part thereof. (S.22 - State Emergency Service Act)

Evacuation Warnings 520. Evacuation warnings to the public, or advice not to evacuate, will be authorised and released by

the person or Agency in control of the event, in accordance with their agencies normal operating procedures.

521. The normal means of disseminating warnings and advice to the public is via the electronic media.

In some circumstances, particularly if there is a need for urgent evacuations or other actions, evacuation warnings will be reinforced by:-

a. use of public address systems fitted to Emergency Services vehicles.



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b. evacuation teams, consisting of Emergency Services personnel and others as necessary,

to carry out door knocks of the affected areas. 522. Warnings to evacuate, whether disseminated via the media or by door knocks, should contain:-

a. instruction to evacuate b. location of Assembly Areas for transport to Evacuation Centres. c. location of Evacuation Centres, for those using private transport. e. authorised route/s to Evacuation Centres f. arrangements for children in Schools and Pre Schools. g. arrangements for elderly or infirm residents unable to self evacuate. h. arrangements for animals and pets. i. likely duration of the evacuation.

523. Media Contact Directory is to be maintained at the Combat Agency Operations Centres and the

SEOC for warnings to the public. Withdrawal 524. Combat Agencies conducting evacuations must liaise with Police to ensure security of the

evacuated area and to coordinate Disaster Victim Registration. They must also consult with the Welfare Services Coordinator, Transport Services Coordinator and the Agricultural and Animal Services Coordinator

525. Police, if requested by the Combat Agency Controller or the SEOCON, will conduct the

evacuation of persons and their pets to the selected Evacuation Centre, secure the evacuated area and coordinate Disaster Victim Registration.

526. Transport requirements will be organised by the Transport Services Functional Area Coordinator.

People should however be permitted to use their own vehicles provided it is safe for them do do so.

527. If evacuation is ordered, the Combat Agency Controller is to arrange for a check of the area to

ensure that evacuation is complete. 528. If evacuation is necessary to an adjoining Local Government Area, arrangements are to be

coordinated at District level. Shelter 529. The Welfare Services Coordinator is to:-

a. arrange for staffing of the identified Evacuation Centre/s in time to receive the evacuees. b. provide welfare support services to evacuees in accordance with the Welfare Services

Functional Area Supporting Plan, and c. address longer term accommodation and shelter of animals requirements.



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Return 530. The Agency/Authority which initiated the evacuation determines, in consultation with the

Recovery Coordinating Committee (if established), and the Coordinators of Welfare Services, Engineering Services and Health Services Functional Areas, when it is safe for evacuees to return to their homes and arranges for the evacuees to be advised accordingly.

531. Transport is to be arranged by the Transport Services Functional Area Coordinator. ROAD CLOSURES 532. A number of Organisations have the authority to close roads. The following table indicates the

Organisations which have the authority to close roads and the circumstances when that authority can be exercised.

ACT SECTION SITUATION AUTHORISED PERSON PROVISO

Traffic Act 1909 23 Close any public street to traffic during any temporary obstruction or danger

Police Non emergency situations

State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989

37 Persons not to enter the emergency area

Minister or authorised Emergency Services Officer

A State of Emergency must be declared

Fire Brigades Act 1989

13 Close any street in the vicinity of a fire or HAZMAT incident

OIC at a fire or HAZMAT incident

Rural Fires Act 1997

24 Close any street or public place in the vicinity of a fire, incident or other emergency

OIC at a Fire Incident or other emergency

State Emergency Service Act 1989

22(1)(c) Persons not to enter the Emergency Area

Director General or authorised Emergency Officer

Ambulance Services Act 1990

12 Close a road for the protection of persons from injury or death

Stock Diseases Act 1923

12 & 15 Restriction of entry to and exit from a quarantined area and closure of roads which pass through a restricted area to vehicles and stock

Minister for Primary Industries

Notification in Gazette and newspaper

Exotic Diseases of Animals Act 1991

13 Declaration of entry and exit points during an exotic disease outbreak

Department of Primary Industries Inspector

Roads Act 1993 115 Close roads to protect the public from any hazards on the public road

Roads Authority This power is rarely used in emergencies as the powers of Emergency Services Officers generally suffice. Relates only to those roads for which Council is deemed to be the “Roads Authority”



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ACT SECTION SITUATION AUTHORISED PERSON PROVISO

Roads Act 1993 116 Roads Authority applies to RTA for consent to regulate traffic

Roads Authority

Roads Act 1993 120 Minister may direct Roads Authority to exercise traffic regulation powers

Minister

Roads Act 1993 121 Minister may regulate traffic in certain circumstances

Minister

Roads Act 1993 122 Roads Authority may temporarily regulate traffic including prohibiting vehicles to pass

Roads Authority

Roads (General) Regulation 1994

Clause 56

Roads Authority may temporarily close ferries

Roads Authority

533. In addition the RTA Traffic Management Centre will:-

a. deploy RTA Traffic Commanders to major unplanned incidents. b. accept responsibility for traffic management from the incident perimeter into the rest of

the road network c. take the lead role in communicating traffic management arrangements/issues to the

Media d. provide close support to the Police Incident Commander for traffic control within an

incident perimeter. e. develop and deploy Maintenance and Traffic Emergency Services (MATES) teams for

specific routes.

f. provide a comprehensive and timely response of specialised resources to support traffic management.



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PART SIX

EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATIONS

GENERAL 601. When an emergency has been contained, the emergency management structure continues to

conduct recovery operations to satisfy personal and community needs, and to restore services to the level where the continuing process can be managed by local government and the normal responsible agencies. While local government authorities have significant responsibility for the well-being of local communities, and play a major role in recovery operations, they may require significant resource support, particularly with respect to the overall coordination of recovery operations.

602. It is essential that the requirements of recovery operations are assessed and planned during the

earliest stages of an emergency operation. Although an overlap will occur between the commencement of the recovery and the completion of the response, the handover of responsibilities between the response organisations and the recovery organisations needs to be considered carefully. EOCON’s are responsible to ensure recovery planning occurs.

603. Those involved in contributing to recovery operations should keep in mind that the whole purpose

of such operations is to assist the affected community to manage its own recovery, while recognising that there will invariably be a requirement for external technical, physical and financial assistance.

PRINCIPLES 604 Disaster recovery is most effective when the following nationally recognised principles are

applied:

a. management arrangements recognise that disaster recovery is a complex, dynamic and protracted process;

b. agreed plans and management arrangements are well understood by the community and

disaster management agencies; c. recovery agencies are properly integrated into disaster management arrangements; d. community service and reconstruction agencies have input into key decision-making; e. recovery services are conducted with the active participation of the affected community; f. recovery managers are involved from the initial briefing on the operation; g. recovery services are provided in a timely, fair, equitable and flexible manner; and h. recovery personnel are supported by training programs and exercises.

(Source: National Standing Committee of Community Services and Income Security Administrators).

605. The recovery process will commence as soon as possible during and following the impact and

every effort will be made to ensure that individuals from the affected communities are actively involved in their own recovery.



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606. Management of recovery services should, whenever possible, occur at local level, although District and, on occasions, State support will be required. Combat agencies are to advise the appropriate Emergency Operations Controller (EOCON) if specific recovery coordination will be required.

607. Recovery services are most effective when managed by an identified recovery coordinator. 608. There are a number of coordination options available, these include:

a. LEOCON appointment – Disaster Recovery Coordinator - LEOCON established

Committee. b. DEOCON appointment – Disaster Recovery Coordinator - DEOCON established

Committee. c. Welfare Services Functional Area Coordinator – Welfare Services Committee and key

representatives advise. d. Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinator – Engineering Functional Area

committee and key representatives advise. e. SEOCON appointments – Welfare Services Coordinator - SEOCON established

Committee. f. Minister appointments – Welfare Services Coordinator - Appointee established committee

or task force. PLANNING FOR RECOVERY 609. Emergency Management Committees at all levels are responsible for recovery planning, which is

to be undertaken in accordance with the principles contained herein, and the relevant State level supporting plans & sub plans.

610. The main roles of Recovery Committees are:

a. coordinate arrangements to make an initial assessment of the impact; b. establish priorities; c. identify shortfalls in resources; d. coordinate provision of services; and e. keep the community informed of recovery strategies.

RECOVERY AT LOCAL LEVEL 611. As soon as possible following an emergency, the LEMC is to meet in order to form a Local

Recovery Committee. The LEMC provides a good basis for a Local Recovery Committee, but local community groups such as the local Chamber of Commerce and non-government agencies should be added. The Combat Agency will need to attend the early meetings to provide an overview of the situation.

612. Coordination of the recovery operation may occur at local or district level. 613. The DEMO and appropriate District Functional Area Coordinators (eg Health, Welfare,



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Engineering and Agriculture) are to be invited to the initial local meeting and to subsequent meetings as required.

LOCAL RECOVERY COORDINATORS 614. The appointment of a Local Recovery Coordinator is critical to the success of recovery operations.

This should be discussed by the LEMC when it meets to form the Local Recovery Committee. The appointment of the coordinator should occur in consultation with the DEOCON, on the recommendation of the LEOCON.

615. In the event that there is likely to be the need for significant outside resources, the LEOCON on

the advice of the LEMC will normally recommend the appointment of a higher level Recovery Coordinator.

HIGHER LEVEL RECOVERY COORDINATORS 616. In the event that the need is identified for a higher level Recovery Coordinator to be appointed, the

DEOCON, as Chair of the District Emergency Management Committee will consult with the SEOCON who will appoint a coordinator in consultation with appropriate State level agencies.

RECOVERY AT DISTRICT LEVEL 617. In the event that an emergency impacts on several local government areas within an emergency

management district, it will be necessary to form a District Recovery Coordination Committee. 618. In such circumstances the DEMC will meet to determine the composition of the committee and

nominate a Coordinator to the SEOCON for approval. Local Recovery Committees will be required, but will act as sub-committees to the District Recovery Committee.

RECOVERY AT STATE LEVEL 619. When an emergency impacts on several adjoining emergency management districts, or in the event

of a major emergency, it may be necessary to establish a State level Recovery Coordinating Committee.

620. When there is a likelihood that this may be required, the SEOCON will meet with the SEMC and

make a decision on an appropriate structure, including the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator.

LONG TERM RECOVERY 621. In the event that long term recovery and reconstruction are going to be needed, SEOCON and the

SEMC may recommend to the Minister or Premier the formation of a Special Recovery Coordinating Committee to coordinate long term recovery planning and coordination.

622. The Minister or Premier may appoint a Special Recovery Coordinator, who if so appointed is to be

the Chairperson of the Special Recovery Coordinating Committee, and will normally report directly to Government.

RECOVERY CENTRES 623. Delivery of recovery services is undertaken from Recovery Centres, which brings together all

service providers within one location. 624. Recovery Centres will be established in cooperation with local government.



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625. The need to establish Recovery Centres will be considered whenever there is an emergency. 626. The decision to establish a Recovery Centre is made by the Welfare Services Functional Area

Coordinator in consultation with the relevant Emergency Service organisation. 627. The agencies providing services in the centre may include:

a. Department of Community Services b. Community Partners and Agencies (NGOs) c. Department of Commerce d. Department of Primary Industries e. State Council Rural Lands Protection Board f. NSW Health Department g. Department of Housing h. Centrelink i. Electricity service providers j. Office of Fair Trading, and k. Telecommunications service providers.

628. A Recovery Centre may include the following facilities:

a. Security for access – separating clients from the general office

b. Reception area c. Interview rooms d. Meeting room e. Staff room f. Storage area g. Administration area and offices.

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 629. Emergency financial assistance to persons affected by emergencies is coordinated by the Welfare

Services Functional Area.



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PART SEVEN

LOGISTICS, ADMINISTRATION AND TRAINING

GENERAL 701. To be successful, both emergency response and recovery operations require the effective control

and coordination of logistic support, and the use of sound administrative procedures. LOGISTIC SUPPORT (SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES) 702. Where practicable, normal procedures within existing delegations should be used for the

acquisition and supply of goods and services. If a requirement for goods and services is beyond the resources of State Agency Controllers and Functional Area Coordinators, the matter is to be referred to the State Emergency Operations Centre. Requisitions sent to the State Emergency Operations Centre are to be authorised by the requesting State Agency Controller or Functional Area Coordinator, or appointed delegate.

703. To assist in the coordination of logistic support, a Logistic Support Cell may be established in the

State Emergency Operations Centre. The tasks of the Logistic Support Cell include: a. processing requests for logistic support from Agencies and Functional Areas;

b. monitoring operations and planning, to identify logistic implications, and to forecast logistic requirements; and

c. providing advice on logistic matters to the State Emergency Operations Controller. ADMINISTRATION Expenditure and Recovery of Funds 704. Expenditure of funds by Agencies or Functional Areas during emergency response or recovery

operations is to be met in the first instance by the providers of resources from within their normal operating budgets. Should the expenditure be of such a magnitude as to prevent the providing Agencies / Functional Areas from continuing their normal operations for the remainder of the financial year, Treasury may provide supplementation, but Departments cannot be guaranteed that funding will be provided.

705. Certain expenditure incurred during emergency response or recovery operations following natural

disasters may be included under the Commonwealth / State funding arrangements. 706. So that claims may be made on the Commonwealth, Departments are to inform Treasury, on a

monthly basis, of the expenditure incurred to date, and the estimate for the year, on natural disaster relief and restoration measures.

707. Reimbursements to Departments are determined by the State Government in the light of the

Commonwealth contribution, and the overall budgetary situation. 708. State Trading Enterprises, except for Railways, are not eligible for assistance under the

Commonwealth funding arrangements.



47

Workers Compensation 709. When participating in emergency response or recovery operations under the direction of Agency

Controllers or Functional Area Coordinators: a. the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, 1987 (as amended) apply to employees

of the Crown; and

b. the provisions of the Workers Compensation (Rural Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act, 1987 (as amended) apply to registered emergency volunteers or casual emergency volunteers.

EMERGENCY EXERCISES 710. The capability of the emergency management structure of the State to respond effectively in

emergency response and recovery operations needs to be regularly tested by exercises conducted by individual Agencies and Functional Areas, and by the emergency management structure as a whole at State, District and Local levels.

711. In addition, Functional Areas whose roles are not normally associated with emergencies are to

conduct specialist training for individuals, and to exercise the Area's emergency management system.

712. Conducting well prepared and coordinated exercises, in addition to testing emergency plans and

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), leads to a better mutual understanding and cooperation between the various components of the State's emergency management structure.



48

PART EIGHT

ANNEXES

Annex A State Level Supporting Plans

Annex B Emergency Management Districts

Annex C Format of Request to the Media to use SEWS

Annex D Format for Declaration and Revocation of a State of Emergency

Annex E Concept of Emergency Operations

Annex F Specific Control Responsibilities

Annex G “State of Emergency” - as described by Legislation Annex H Guidelines for the application of Property Powers under the State Emergency and

Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended) and the State Emergency Service Act, 1989 (as amended).



49

Annex A - 1 STATE LEVEL SUPPORTING PLANS The following State Level Functional Area Supporting Plans have been issued:

FUNCTIONAL AREA SUPPORTING PLANS REMARKS

AGRICULTURAL & ANIMAL SERVICES Issued December, 2005.

COMMUNICATION SERVICES Being developed

ENERGY & UTILITY SERVICES Issued December, 2004.

ENGINEERING SERVICES Issued 17 July 1992. Under review

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - "ENVIROPLAN"

Issued December, 2005.

HEALTH SERVICES - "HEALTHPLAN” Issued June, 2005.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES Issued September, 2000. Under review.

TRANSPORT SERVICES Issued August 1999. Under review.

WELFARE SERVICES Issued 17 July 1992. Under review.



50

Annex A - 2 The following State Sub Plans, relating to specific hazards or emergencies, have been authorised for issue as part of, and relating to, DISPLAN.

STATE SUB PLAN REMARKS

ANIMAL HEALTH EMERGENCY Issued December, 2005.

AVIATION EMERGENCY Issued December, 2004.

FOOD INDUSTRY EMERGENCY Issued October, 2004.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY - "HAZMAT/CBR PLAN"

Issued September, 2005.

LUCAS HEIGHTS EMERGENCY SUB PLAN Issued November, 2005.

MAJOR STRUCTURE COLLAPSE PLAN Issued December 2001. Under review.

MARINE OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILL PLAN Issued January, 2006.

NEPEAN HAWKESBURY FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN

Issued December, 2005.

STATE BUSH FIRE PLAN Issued August 2002.

STATE FLOOD PLAN Issued April 2001. Under review.

STATE STORM PLAN Issued August 2000. Under review.

SYDNEY CBD EMERGENCY PLAN Issued December, 2005.

TSUNAMI Issued December, 2005.



51

Annex B - 1 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

Central West Emergency Management District comprises the Bathurst Regional Council, Blayney Council, Cabonne Council, Cowra Council, Forbes Council, City of Lithgow Council, Lachlan Council, Oberon Council, Orange City Council and Parkes Council. Far West Emergency Management District comprises the Bogan Council, Bourke Council, Brewarrina Council, Broken Hill City Council, Central Darling Council, Cobar Council and the Unincorporated Area of NSW. Georges River Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the City of Botany Bay, Hurstville City Council, Kogarah Municipal Council, Randwick City Council, Rockdale City Council Sutherland Council and the waters of Botany Bay and Port Hacking. Hunter-Central Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Cessnock City Council, Dungog Council, Gosford City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Maitland City Council, Muswellbrook Council, Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council, Singleton Council, Upper Hunter Council, Wyong Council and the waters of Brisbane Waters, Port Stephens and Port Hunter. Illawarra Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Municipality of Kiama, Shellharbour Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Wollongong City Council and the waters of Jervis Bay. Mid North Coast Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bellingen Council, Coffs Harbour City Council, Gloucester Council, Greater Taree City Council, Great Lakes Council, Hastings Council, Kempsey Council, Nambucca Council and Lord Howe Island. Monaro Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bega Valley Council, Bombala Council, Cooma-Monaro Council, Eurobodalla Council, Palerang Council, Queanbeyan City Council and Snowy River Council. Murray Emergency Management District comprises the areas of City of Albury Council, Balranald Council, Berrigan Council, Conargo Council, Corowa Council, Deniliquin Council, Greater Hume Council, Jerilderie Council, Murray Council, Tumbarumba Council, Urana Council, Council of the Shire of Wakool and Wentworth Council. Northern Rivers Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Ballina Council, Byron Council, Clarence Valley Council, Kyogle Council, Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council and Tweed Council. Peel Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Armidale Dumaresq Council, Glen Innes Severn Council, Gunnedah Council, Guyra Council, Gwydir Council, Inverell Council, Liverpool Plains Council, Moree Plains Council, Narrabri Council, Tamworth Regional Council, Tenterfield Council, Uralla Council, Walcha Council. Riverina Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bland Council, Carrathool Council, Coolamon Council, Griffith City Council, Hay Council, Junee Council, Leeton Council, Lockhart Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Narrandera Council, Temora Council and Wagga Wagga City Council. Southern Highlands Emergency Management District comprises the of areas of Boorowa Council, Cootamundra Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Gundagai Council, Harden Council, Tumut Council, Upper Lachlan Council, Weddin Council, Yass Valley Council and Young Council.



52

Annex B - 2 Sydney East Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the City of Sydney, Waverley Council, Woollahra Municipal Council, and the waters of Port Jackson and Parramatta River up to the Parramatta Weir. Sydney Mid West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Municipality of Ashfield, Burwood Council, Canterbury City Council, City of Canada Bay Council, Leichhardt Municipal Council, Marrickville Council and Strathfield Municipal Council. Sydney North Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Council of the Shire of Hornsby, Council of the Municipality of Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai Council, Lane Cove Municipal Council, Manly Council, Mosman Municipal Council, North Sydney Council, Pittwater Council, Ryde City Council, Warringah Council, Willoughby City Council, and the waters of Broken Bay, Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River upstream to Wisemans Vehicle Ferry. Sydney South West Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Bankstown City Council, Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council, Fairfield City Council, Liverpool City Council, Wingecarribee Council and Wollondilly Council. Western Slopes Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Coonamble Council, Dubbo City Council, Gilgandra Council, Mid Western Regional Council, Narromine Council, Walgett Council, Warren Council, Warrumbungle Council and Wellington Council. Western Sydney Emergency Management District comprises the areas of Auburn Council, Council of the Shire of Baulkham Hills Council, Blacktown City Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Holroyd City Council, Parramatta City Council and Penrith City Council.



53

Annex C - 1

FORMAT OF REQUEST TO THE MEDIA TO USE SEWS Format of Request to the Media to Use SEWS All requests to the media will contain the Name, Appointment and Telephone Number of the Authorising Officer and the Formal Warning Message. Use of this proforma is mandatory. REQUEST TO BROADCAST AN EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT USING THE STANDARD EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNAL

This is a formal request to broadcast the following emergency announcement preceded by Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

Please broadcast this message verbatim every minutes for the next hours(s)

This use of the SEWS is authorized by

(name)

(appointment)

This message may be confirmed by telephoning (telephone No.)

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

This is an official announcement for

(Area)

Issued by

(Appointment/Agency)

Concerning the (Emergency Description)

Message Text

Optional details

(What has happened, Where, When)

(What has been done to date)

(What actions are proposed)

PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGES

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________

(This section to include any actions the public should take to protect life and property)

THIS EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT WAS ISSUED BY APPOINTMENT/AGENCY

STAY TUNED TO THIS STATION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION



54

Annex C - 2

UPON RECEIPT OF A SEWS FAX: If in doubt, confirm the message is not a hoax by calling the number given. Begin the broadcast by playing the Standard Emergency Warning Signal for 15 seconds < Broadcast the Emergency Announcement verbatim. < Repeat the broadcast of the SEWS, followed by the Emergency Announcement, twice at

five minute intervals, unless requested otherwise by the Authorising Officer.

< Cancellation of the Request is to be confirmed by Fax by the Issuing Authority.



55

Annex D - 1

FORMAT FOR DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

STATE EMERGENCY AND RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT, 1989 (AS AMENDED)

ORDER DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY

I, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premier of the State of New South Wales, in

pursuance of Section 33 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), do, by

this my Order, declare that a State of Emergency exists in the following local government areas:

Council of................................................................................. Council of................................................................................. This Order has effect immediately on its being made and the declaration of the State of Emergency remains

in force (unless sooner revoked) for a period of 30 days from the date of making this order.

Dated this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premier



56

Annex D – 2

FORMAT FOR REVOCATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY STATE EMERGENCY AND RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT,1989 (AS AMENDED) ORDER REVOKING STATE OF EMERGENCY

I,…………………………………………………………Premier of the State of New South Wales, in pursuance of Section 33 (2) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), do by this my Order, revoke my Order of ………………………… declaring a State of Emergency for the following Local Government areas: Council of …………………………………………………………….. Council of …………………………………………………………….. Dated this …………………day of …………………………in the year ………………………….. Premier



57

Annex E CONCEPT OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

TYPE OF EMERGENCY OPERATION

CONTROL SUPPORT INFORMATION/LIAISON

COMBAT AGENCY MANAGED

Combat agency controls operation and may request other agencies or Emergency Operations Controllers to assume responsibility for controlling specific elements. Supporting agencies command own elements and carry out support tasks as directed by combat agency, other agency or Emergency Operations Controller.

Support tasks which can be foreseen are agreed and reflected in combat agency plans, Displans, sub plans or supporting plans where applicable. Unforeseen support can be co-ordinated by the Emergency Operations Controller or the combat agency can deal direct with supporting agencies. In the latter case the Emergency Operations Controller must be kept informed.

It is the responsibility of the Combat Agency to ensure that the Emergency Operations Controller and the supporting Emergency Service Organisation and Functional Area Coordinators are kept informed of the situation. Emergency Operations Controllers, and supporting agencies under control of combat agency, provide liaison and resources to combat agency operations centres as required. Supporting agencies carrying out tasks under the coordination of an emergency operations controller provide liaison to the emergency operations centre as required.

OPERATIONS CONTROLLED BY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLERS This applies when: Emergency

operations controllers are designated in plans as controllers.

There is no designated combat agency.

Emergency Operations Controllers are requested by the Head of the combat agency to assume control.

Emergency Operations Controller controls operations and co-ordinates resources, Individual agencies command own resources and carry out tasks as directed.

Support is provided by Functional Areas. Emergency Operations Controller may request other agency to coordinate support

It is the responsibility of the Emergency Operations Controller to ensure that the Emergency Service Organisations and Functional Area Coordinators are kept informed of situation. Agencies provide liaison to Emergency Operations Centre as required.



58

Annex F

SPECIFIC CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Agencies

EMERGENCY RESPONSIBLE AGENCY

ANIMAL, PLANT DISEASE, RODENT OR INSECT PLAGUE

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

FIRE (WITHIN RURAL FIRE DISTRICT) RURAL FIRE SERVICE

FIRE (WITHIN A FIRE DISTRICT) NSW FIRE BRIGADES

FOOD INDUSTRY NSW FOOD AUTHORITY

FLOOD STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL . ON LAND . INLAND WATERS . STATE WATERS

. NSW FIRE BRIGADES . NSW FIRE BRIGADES . RELEVANT PORT AUTHORITY

LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING A DECLARATION NSW POLICE

MARINE OIL & CHEMICAL SPILLS RELEVANT PORT AUTHORITY

PANDEMIC NSW HEALTH

SEARCH AND RESCUE NSW POLICE

STORM AND TEMPEST STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

TSUNAMI STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE

2. Emergency Operations Controllers

Aviation Emergency Major Structure Collapse Emergency Other emergencies not designated to a combat agency Terrorist Act



59

Annex G

“STATE OF EMERGENCY” - AS DESCRIBED BY LEGISLATION

LEGISLATION STATE OF EMERGENCY - OPERATES IN RELATION TO

AUTHORISED BY / POWER TO DIRECT

State Emergency & Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended) - [SERM Act]

Emergency - as defined in that Act [paragraph 4], and in this plan

the Premier may, by order in writing, declare that a state of emergency exists in the whole, or in any specified part or parts, of NSW in relation to that emergency - [SERM Act 33]. The Minister for Emergency Services is responsible for controlling and coordinating the activities.......and resources.... [SERM Act 37]

Essential Services Act, 1988 (as amended) - [ES Act]

Essential services - as defined in that Act [paragraph 4], and in this Plan

The Governor may, by order in writing, declare that a state of emergency exists in relation to the essential service [ES Act 10]. Any such order shall specify the Minister who may give directions.....[ES Act 10(2)(b)]

Dams Safety Act, 1978 (as amended) - [DS Act]

Prescribed dam - listed as Schedule 1 of that Act

The Minister (Natural Resources) may, by order in writing, declare that a state of emergency exists in respect of the prescribed dam - [DS Act 21(1)]

Local Government Act, 1993 - [LG Act]

Water, sewerage and drainage works and facilities - Part 3, Division 2 of that Act. [relates to council dams]

Section 62 of that Act provides “powers of Minister (Commerce) during emergencies” - [without definition of an ‘emergency’] - in relation to an emergency exists that constitutes a threat to public health or public safety/..... and concurred with by the Minister for Health - [LG Act 62(2)].

Community Welfare Act, 1987 (as amended) - [CW Act]

The provision of community welfare services for disaster victims - as defined in that Act 37(1) & 38

The Minister (Community Services) may, by order in writing, declare a disaster to be a disaster [CW Act 37A].... and the Director General may .... take steps..... the purposes of coordinating the provision of community welfare services for disaster victims.... [CW Act 38]



60

Annex H - 1 GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION OF PROPERTY POWERS UNDER THE STATE EMERGENCY AND RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT, 1989 (AS AMENDED) AND THE STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE ACT, 1989 (AS AMENDED).

GUIDELINES ARE TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RELEVANT ACT.

INTRODUCTION: 1. Within the State of New South Wales there is provision under the State Emergency and Rescue

Management Act, 1989 (as amended) [SERM Act] for the Premier to declare a state of emergency. The area involved may include the whole of the State or any part thereof and is referred to as an emergency area.

2. During a State of Emergency additional powers are available to an `emergency services officer’,

who must be authorised by the Minister for Emergency Services. An emergency services officer may, for the purposes of protecting persons from injury or death or protecting property, direct or authorise certain activities in an emergency area.

3. The SERM Act, empowers certain members of the NSW Police to exercise powers relating to

property in certain circumstances during an emergency in a danger area which is not subject to a declaration of a state of emergency.

4. The State Emergency Service Act, 1989 (as amended) [SES Act] empowers the Director-General of

the State Emergency Service to authorise a `senior emergency officer’ to exercise powers in respect to emergencies resulting from flood, storms, tempest, and when directed by the State Emergency Operations Controller, civil defence and to deal with an emergency for which there is no combat agency.

5. When contemplating the exercise of the following powers appropriate consultation, wherever

practicable, with the responsible agencies and environmental, historical, heritage and cultural conservation concerns should be considered by the authorised officer.

6. The respective emergency services organisations are to develop specific instructions for the

application of these guidelines within each organisation.



61

Annex H- 2 SERM ACT - EMERGENCY SERVICES OFFICERS POWERS 7. Definitions used in this section:

• Emergency area means the area in which a state of emergency is declared to exist. (See paragraph 1)

• emergency services officer means any of the following:

(a) a police officer, (b) an officer of the NSW Fire Brigades of or above the position of station commander, (c) an officer of the State Emergency Service of or above the position of unit controller, or

a divisional executive officer or the Director, Operations of that service,

(d) a member of a rural fire brigade of or above the position of deputy captain.

(e) a District Emergency Management Officer. • Premises includes land, place, building, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, or any part of premises.

8. Section 37A - Power to Take Other Safety Measures. Briefly these powers are:-

(a) closure of roads

(b) closure of places

(c) destruction/shoring up of premises

(d) shutting of supply of substances

(e) shutting off/disconnection of gas and/or electricity

(f) taking possession/removal/destruction of any material or thing - dangerous or interfere with operation

9. The exercise of these powers by an emergency services officer is subject to very stringent conditions

and are as follows:-

• the Minister or an emergency services officer so authorised by the Minister directs any or all of the activities • the powers only apply in emergency area/s or any part of an emergency area.

• closure of roads and places should be carried out by police, in conjunction with the

owner wherever possible. In the absence of police the owner should be directed to undertake the closure

• there is appropriate consultation, wherever practicable, and consideration should be given

to environmental, heritage, cultural and historical conservation concerns prior to the



62

Annex H - 3 exercise of these powers. These agencies may be accessed through the appropriate Functional

Area Coordinator or the local council. See paragraph 31.

• shutting off any supply should only occur to single premises and in consultation with the occupier and/or supply authority. See paragraph 32.

10. Section 37B - Power to Enter Premises.

• Permits a person to enter premises for the purposes of complying with a direction of an emergency services officer. Entry is subject to the following sections.

11. Section 37C - Notice of Entry.

• An authorised person may enter premises without giving notice if permitted by the owner or occupier, the premises are open to the public or if required urgently and is subject to authorisation of entry without notice. In all other cases written notice must be provided.

12 Section 37D - Care to be Taken.

• When entering premises an authorised person must do as little damage as possible. 13 Section 37E - Use of Force.

• Reasonable force may only be used if authorised, in writing by the Minister. Any use of force must be notified to the authorising emergency services officer who directed the entry in the first instance and that person must make full record of such forced entry and notify the appropriate operations centre.

• Any decision to use force should not be taken lightly and the consequences in relation to the

use of force and any retaliatory action that may be taken by an owner or occupier should always be borne in mind. In any case when use of force is found necessary full consideration must be given to, and steps taken to ensure the security of the premises so entered.

14 Section 37F - Authority to Enter Premises.

• A person may not enter any premises or take action unless in possession of a written authority which must be produced to the owner or occupier if required. The written authority must set out a number of details and bear the signature of the Minister or emergency services officer who issued the direction. (Suggested format is at pages 67and 68).

• A police officer exercising powers to enter premises or take action may do so without such

written authority provided the officer produces his or her warrant card if required to do so by the owner or occupier.

SERM ACT - POLICE POWERS IN AN EMERGENCY 15. Definitions used in this Section:

• Danger area means the area specified by a senior police officer as the area in which an

emergency is causing or threatening to cause injury or death.



63

Annex H - 4

• Senior police officer means a police officer of or above the rank of sergeant or a police officer of a class prescribed as being within this definition by the regulations.

16. Section 61 - Power of police to take other safety measures. Briefly these powers are:-

(a) closure of roads

(b) closure of places

(c) destruction/shoring up of premises

(d) shutting of supply of substances (e) shutting off/disconnection of gas and/or electricity (f) taking possession/removal/destruction of any material or thing - dangerous or

interfere with operation 17. The exercise of these powers by a senior police officer is subject to very stringent conditions and are

as follows:-

• the powers only apply in danger area/s or any part of a danger area,

• appropriate consultation, wherever practicable, and consideration should be given to environmental, heritage, cultural and historical conservation concerns prior to the exercise of these powers. These agencies may be accessed through the appropriate functional area co-ordinator or the local council. (See paragraph 31).

• shutting off any supply should only occur to single premises and in consultation with the

occupier and/or supply authority. (See paragraph 32). 18. Section 61A - Power to enter premises.

• Permits a police officer to enter premises for the purposes of complying with a direction under section 61 (1). Entry is subject to following sections.

19. Section 61B - Notice of Entry.

• An authorised police officer may enter premises without giving notice if permitted by the

owner or occupier, the premises are open to the public or if required urgently and is subject to authorisation of entry without notice. In all other cases written notice must be provided.

20. Section 61C - Care to be taken

• When entering premises an authorised police officer must do as little damage as possible.

21. Section 61D - Use of force.

• Reasonable force may only be used if authorised, in writing by the senior police officer. Any use of force must be notified to the senior police officer who directed the entry in the first instance and that person must make full record of such forced entry and notify the



64

Annex H - 5

Commissioner of Police.

• Any decision to use force should not be taken lightly and the consequences in relation to the use of force and any retaliatory action that may be taken by an owner or occupier should always be borne in mind. In any case when use of force is found necessary full consideration must be given to, and steps taken to ensure the security of the premises so entered.

22. Section 61E - Police officer to produce warrant card if required.

• Power to enter or take action on premises may not be exercised unless the police officer produces his/her warrant card if required to do so by the owner or occupier of the premises.

• Warrant card means police identification.

SES Act - SENIOR EMERGENCY OFFICER POWERS 23. Definitions used in this section:

• Emergency areas means the areas affected by an emergency to which this Part 5 of the Act applies. (See paragraph 4).

• Senior emergency officer means any of the following:

(a) a police officer of or above sergeant or a police officer for the time being in

charge of a police station,

(b) an officer of the NSW Fire Brigades of or above the rank of station commander,

(c) an officer of the State Emergency Service of or above unit controller, or a

divisional executive officer or the Director, Operations of that Service,

(d) a member of a Rural Fire Brigade of or above deputy captain,

(e) a District Emergency Management Officer

Premises includes land, place, building, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, or any part of premises.

24. Section 22A - Power to Take Other Safety Measures. Briefly these powers are:-

(a) shutting off supply of substances (b) shutting off/disconnection of gas and/or electricity (c) taking possession/removal/destruction of any material or thing - dangerous or interfere with

operation.

25. The exercise of these powers by a senior emergency officer is subject to very stringent conditions and are as follows:-

• the Director General of the SES or a senior emergency officer so authorised by the Director



65

Annex H - 6 General directs any or all of the activities, • the powers only apply in emergency area/s or any part of an emergency area, • shutting off any supply should only occur to single premises and in consultation with the

occupier and/or supply authority. (See paragraph 32). • appropriate consultation wherever practicable, and consideration should be given to

environmental, heritage, cultural and historical conservation concerns prior to the exercise of these powers. These agencies may be accessed through the appropriate functional area

coordinator or the local council. (See paragraph 31)

26. Section 22B - Power to Enter Premises.

• Permits a person to enter premises for the purposes of complying with a direction of a senior emergency services officer. Entry is subject to the following sections.

27. Section 22C - Notice of Entry.

• An authorised person may enter premises without giving notice if permitted by the owner or

occupier, the premises are open to the public or if required urgently and is subject to authorisation of entry without notice. In all other cases written notice must be provided.

28. Section 22D - Care to be Taken

• When entering premises an authorised person must do as little damage as possible. 29. Section 22E - Use of Force.

• Reasonable force may only be used if authorised, in writing by the Director-General or the senior emergency officer. Any use of force must be notified to the authorising senior emergency officer who directed the entry in the first instance and that person must make full record of such forced entry and notify the appropriate operations centre.

• Any decision to use force should not be taken lightly and the consequences in relation to the

use of force and any retaliatory action that may be taken by an owner or occupier should always be borne in mind. In any case when use of force is found necessary full consideration must be given to, and steps taken to ensure the security of the premises so entered.

30. Section 22F - Authority to Enter Premises.

• A person may not enter any premises or take action unless in possession of a written authority which must be produced to the owner or occupier if required. The written authority must set out a number of details and bear the signature of the Director-General or senior emergency officer who issued the direction. (Suggested format is at pages 67 and 68)

• A police officer exercising powers to enter premises or take action may do so without such

written authority provided the officer produced his or her warrant card if required to do so by the owner or occupier.

• Warrant card means police identification.



66

Annex H - 7 CONSULTATION/CONSIDERATIONS 31. In exercising the power to direct the pulling down, destruction or shoring up of any wall or premises,

the authorised officer should:

a. isolate and cordon off the wall or premises; b. where practicable, consult with the owner or occupier;

c. obtain technical advice on whether the building or structure is dangerous in its existing state

or can be made temporarily safe. [Technical advice includes structural, environmental, historical, heritage and cultural

conservation aspects. At local level this advice may be available from the local council. In any event it can be accessed through the appropriate Engineering Services Functional Area Coordinator.]

d, only if there is no alternative is the structure to be destroyed to the extent which renders it

safe.

32. In exercising the power to shut off or disconnect the supply of any water, gas, liquid, solid, grain, powder or other substance the authorised officer should:

a. isolate and cordon off the premises or area;

b. in the case of supply to a single premise, consult with the supplier, owner or other competent

authority to ensure that the shutting off or disconnection will not further endanger life or property (particularly if that supply has to be maintained to sustain life - eg individual dialysis machines - or the safe operational level of manufacturing/refining facilities);

c. in the case of a main supply line (ie a line supplying more than one single premise):-

i. consult with an authorised representative of the supply authority and determine if the

shutting off or disconnection of supply can be carried out without further endangering life or property; and

ii. if the supply authority advises that the shutting off or disconnection of supply may further endanger life or property, only proceed, if there is no other reasonable course

of action available. 33. An authorised officer is to only take possession of, remove or destroy any material or thing that

may be dangerous to life or property or that may interfere with the response of emergency services to an emergency if the owner is not prepared to do so, or if the owner cannot be located in a reasonable period of time. This power is only to be exercised if there is no alternative solution.

TRAINING

34. Each agency from which emergency services officers/senior emergency officers can be authorised is responsible for ensuring those officers are trained in the operation of these guidelines. The agencies, in developing and conducting the training, are to consult with the relevant agencies and authorities with a responsibility for the supply of water, gas, electricity or other substance, or environmental, historical, heritage or cultural conservation, and where appropriate should incorporate the agencies’ concerns in training programs.



67

Annex H -8

EXAMPLE ONLY

STATE EMERGENCY AND RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT 1989

AUTHORITY TO ENTER PREMISES

The holder of this authority (Full Name) is authorised by *...........................................................................the Minister for Emergency Services *..............................................................................an emergency services officer, duly

authorised by the Minister for Emergency Services under section 37A of the Act to enter any premises (including land, place, building, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, or any part of premises) for the purpose of: ω a. the closure of traffic of any street, road, lane, thoroughfare or footpath or place open to or

used by the public, in an emergency area or any part of an emergency area, ω b. the closure of any other public or private place in an emergency area or any part of an

emergency area, ω ω c. the pulling down, destruction or shoring up of any wall or premises that have been damaged

or rendered insecure in an emergency area or any part of an emergency area, ω d. the shutting off or disconnecting or the supply of any water, gas, liquid, solid, grain, powder or

other substance in or from any main, pipeline, container or storage facility in an emergency area or any part of an emergency area,

ω e. the shutting off or disconnecting of the supply of gas or electricity to any premises in an emergency area or any part of an emergency area,

ω f. the taking possession of, and removal or destruction of any material or thing in an emergency

area or any part of an emergency area that may be dangerous to life or property or that may interfere with the response of emergency services to the emergency.

For the purpose of this authority the emergency area to which it applies is ω The holder is authorised to use reasonable force for the purposes of gaining entry to the premises to

comply with the above powers, only if:

a. there is direct threat to life and property which can only be removed by the taking of such action; and

b. there is no other means of gaining entry; or c. entry has been refused.

This authority is current from date/time Until Date /time

........................................... (Signed)

*Minister for Emergency Services *Emergency Services Officer

* Delete if not applicable



68

Annex H- 9

EXAMPLE ONLY

STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE ACT 1989

AUTHORITY TO ENTER PREMISES The holder of this authority......................................................................................................................................... (Full Name) is authorised by *.............................................................the Director General State Emergency

Service*.....................................................a senior emergency officer, duly authorised by the Director General of the State Emergency Service under section 22A of the Act.

to enter any premises (including land, place, building, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, or any part of premises) for the purpose of: * a. the shutting off or disconnecting or the supply of any water, gas, liquid, solid, grain, powder or

other substance in or from any main, pipeline, container or storage facility in an emergency area or any part of an emergency area,

* b. the shutting off or disconnecting of the supply of gas or electricity to any premises in an

emergency area or any part of an emergency area, * c. the taking possession of, and removal or destruction of any material or thing in an emergency

area or any part of an emergency area that may be dangerous to life or property or that may interfere with the response of emergency services to the emergency.

For the purposes of this authority the emergency area to which it applies is * The holder is authorised to use reasonable force for the purposes of gaining entry to the premises to comply with the above powers, only if:

a. there is direct threat to life and property which can only be removed by the taking of such action; and

b. there is no other means of gaining entry; or

c. entry has been refused

This authority is current from...................................................................................................................................... date/time Until............................................................................................................................................................................ date/time

........................................... (Signed)

*Director General State Emergency Service *Senior Emergency Officer

* Delete if not applicable



69

ALPHABETICAL INDEX A PAGE Activation for Bush fires ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Activation for Flood and Storm............................................................................................................................... 3 Administration .........................................................................................................................................46 AGRICULTURAL & ANIMAL SERVICES ..................................................................................................14-15 Aim.......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Alert Stage - Mobilisation Stages at State Level ................................................................................................... 35 Alert Stage - Sequence of Actions at State Level.................................................................................................. 36 ALPHABETICAL INDEX ..............................................................................................................................69-72 AMBULANCE SERVICE OF NSW .................................................................................................................... 16 AMENDMENT LIST............................................................................................................................................. iii ANNEXES (Part Eight)....................................................................................................................................48-68 Annex A - State Level Supporting Plans.........................................................................................................49-50 Annex B - Emergency Management Districts .................................................................................................51-52 Annex C - Format of Request to the Media to use SEWS...............................................................................53-54 Annex D - Format for Declaration and Revocation of a State of Emergency .................................................55-56 Annex E – Concept of Emergency Operations..................................................................................................... 57 Annex F – Specific Control Responsibilities........................................................................................................ 58 Annex G – “State of Emergency” as Described by Legislation ........................................................................... 59 Annex H - Guidelines for the application of Property Powers under the State Emergency and Rescue

Management Act, 1989 (as amended) and State Emergency Service Act, 1989 (as amended) ....60-66 Annex H-9 Authority to Enter Premises (SERM Act) ......................................................................................... 67 Annex H-10 Authority to Enter Premises (SES ACT) .......................................................................................... 68 Arrangements at District Level.........................................................................................................................10-11 Arrangements at Local Level ................................................................................................................................ 11 AUTHORISATION ................................................................................................................................................ ii Authority - Evacuation .......................................................................................................................................... 38 Authority to use SEWS ........................................................................................................................................... 8 B Bush Fire ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 C Call Out Stage - Mobilisation Stages at State Level.............................................................................................. 35 Call Out Stage - Sequence of Actions at State Level .......................................................................................36-37 Commonwealth Support...................................................................................................................................32-33 Communications.................................................................................................................................................... 12 COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES ..................................................................................................................... 17 Community Relations.............................................................................................................................................. 6 CONTENTS .....................................................................................................................................................xi-xiii Control / Coordination Centres.............................................................................................................................. 10 CONTROL, COORDINATION & COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS (PART THREE)....................9-12 Concept of Emergency Operations (Annex E) ...................................................................................................... 57

D Decision - Evacuation.......................................................................................................................................37-38 DEFINITIONS ...............................................................................................................................................xiv-xxi Disaster Plans .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 DISTRIBUTION................................................................................................................................................. iv-x District & Local DISPLANS.................................................................................................................................. 7 District Emergency Management Committee ......................................................................................................... 6 District Emergency Operations Controller ....................................................................................................... 10-11



70

E Early Warning ....................................................................................................................................................... 35 Emergency Exercises............................................................................................................................................. 47 Emergency Financial Assistance ........................................................................................................................... 45 Emergency Management Districts (Annex B).................................................................................................51-52 EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS (Part Five) ................................................................................35-41 EMERGENCY RECOVERY OPERATIONS (Part Six).................................................................................42-45 Emergency Services and Functional Areas (Planning and Preparation)...............................................................5-6 ENERGY AND UTILITY SERVICES................................................................................................................. 18 ENGINEERING SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 19 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES......................................................................................................................... 20 Evacuation............................................................................................................................................................. 37 Evacuation Warnings........................................................................................................................................38-39 Expenditure and Recovery of Funds ..................................................................................................................... 46

F FIRE BRIGADES ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Flood and Storm ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Format for Declaration and Revocation of a State of Emergency (Annex D) ..................................................55-56 Format of Request to the Media to use SEWS (Annex C) ...............................................................................53-54 Functional Area Sub Committees............................................................................................................................ 6 Functions ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

G General - Control, Coordination & Communication Arrangements........................................................................ 9 General - Logistics, Administration & Training.................................................................................................... 46 General - Emergency Recovery Operations .......................................................................................................... 42 General - Emergency Response Operations .......................................................................................................... 35 General - Roles & Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................... 13 Guidelines for the application of Property Powers under SERM Act 1989 (as amended) and SES Act 1989 (as amended) (Annex H) ..................................................................................................................................60-66

H HEALTH SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Higher Level Recovery Coordinators.................................................................................................................... 44

I INTRODUCTION (Part 1)...................................................................................................................................1-3 J K L Legislative Basis...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Liaison Officers ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Local Emergency Management Committee .........................................................................................................6-7 Local Emergency Operations Controller ............................................................................................................... 11 Local Recovery Coordinators................................................................................................................................ 44 Logistic Support (Supply of Goods and Services)................................................................................................. 46 LOGISTICS, ADMINISTRATION & TRAINING (PART SEVEN) .............................................................46-47 Long Term Recovery............................................................................................................................................. 44



71

M MINES RESCUE ................................................................................................................................................. 34 Minister ..........................................................................................................................................................4 and 9 Mobilisation Stages at State Level ........................................................................................................................ 35 N O Operational Relationships ..................................................................................................................................... 12 OTHER SPECIALIST ORGANISATIONS ....................................................................................................32-33

P Participating Organisations ................................................................................................................................... 13 Planning for Recovery .......................................................................................................................................... 43 PLANNING & PREPARATION (PART TWO) .................................................................................................4-8 POLICE SERVICE ..........................................................................................................................................23-24 Principles ..............................................................................................................................................................2-3 Principles – Emergency Recovery Operations ................................................................................................42-43 Procedures for use of SEWS ................................................................................................................................... 8 Procedures at District & Local Levels - Response Operations.............................................................................. 37 Property Powers - See Annex H.......................................................................................................................60-66 PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES ................................................................................................................ 25 Purpose .................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Q R Recovery at Local Level ..................................................................................................................................43-44 Recovery at District Level .................................................................................................................................... 44 Recovery at State Level......................................................................................................................................... 44 Recovery Centres .............................................................................................................................................44-45 Return - Evacuation............................................................................................................................................... 40 Review of Disaster Plans......................................................................................................................................... 8 ROAD CLOSURES .........................................................................................................................................40-41 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES (PART FOUR)............................................................................................13-34 RURAL FIRE SERVICE ...................................................................................................................................... 26 S Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................1-2 Security of Information ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Sequence of Actions at State Level ..................................................................................................................36-37 Shelter - Evacuation .............................................................................................................................................. 39 Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) ....................................................................................................... 8 Stand Down – Mobilisation Stages at State Level................................................................................................. 35 Stand Down – Sequence of Actions at State Level ............................................................................................... 37 State Disasters Council............................................................................................................................................ 4 State Emergency Management Committee - (Control, Coordination & Communication Arrangements) .............. 9 State Emergency Management Committee - Planning & Preparation..................................................................4-5 State Emergency Operations Centre (Control, Coordination and Communication Arrangements) ...................9-10 State Emergency Operations Controller - Control, Coordination & Communication Arrangements...................... 9 STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE ....................................................................................................................... 27 “State of Emergency” as described by Legislation (Annex G).............................................................................. 59 State Level Supporting Plans (Annex A)..........................................................................................................49-50 Supporting Organisations (Roles & Responsibilities) ........................................................................................... 13 Supporting Plans and Sub-Plans.............................................................................................................................. 7



72

T TITLE PAGE ........................................................................................................................................................... i TRANSPORT SERVICES.................................................................................................................................... 28 U V VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION ........................................................................................................... 29

W Warning & Information to the Public...................................................................................................................... 8 WELFARE SERVICES ...................................................................................................................................30-31 Withdrawal (Evacuation)....................................................................................................................................... 39 Workers Compensation ......................................................................................................................................... 47 X Y

Copy number


for

Cootamundra Shire

Standing Operating

Procedures

These Procedures complement the Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) for Cootamundra Shire which is an approved Plan under the provisions of the

STATE EMERGENCY & RESCUE MANAGEMENT ACT 1989

INTRODUCTION The State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 requires that Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), be established:-

1. within each Local Government area,

and

2. within each District emergency management area. These Emergency Operations Centres will be used to provide co-ordinated resource support to combat agencies or to control emergency operations. The Cootamundra Shire Emergency Operations Centre is located in Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra. Greg Lynch Local Emergency Operations Controller Cootamundra Shire June 1, 2006

STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES Page 2 of 57 As at June 1, 2006

AUTHORISATION These Standing Operating Procedures are APPROVED by the Local Emergency Operations Controller for Cootamundra Shire. These Standing Operating Procedures are in accordance with, and complement arrangements detailed in :-

1. the Local Disaster Plan for Cootamundra Shire, and associated Sub-Plans and Supporting Plans.

2. Other Local Disaster Plans for areas within the Southern Highlands

Emergency Management District.

3. the NSW State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989.

4. the NSW State Disaster Plan.

5. Sub-Plans and Supporting Plans of the State Disaster Plan. Greg Lynch David Hume Local Emergency Operations Controller Local Emergency Management

Officer Cootamundra Shire Cootamundra Shire Council

Date: Date


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 2

AUTHORISATION ..................................................................................................... 3

DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................ 7 Combat Agency................................................................................................................................................. 7 Combat Agency Controller .............................................................................................................................. 7 Control............................................................................................................................................................... 7 Co-ordination .................................................................................................................................................... 7 District ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) .............................................................................. 7 District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON) ............................................................................. 7 District Emergency Management Officer (DEMO)..................................................................................... 7 Emergency......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) ............................................................................................................ 8 Emergency Services Organisation................................................................................................................... 8 Functional Area ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Functional Area Co-ordinator......................................................................................................................... 8 Incident .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Liaison Officer (LO) ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) .................................................................................................................... 9 Local Government Area (LGA)....................................................................................................................... 9 Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) .................................................................................. 9 Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)................................................................................. 9 Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) ........................................................................................ 9 Rescue ................................................................................................................................................................ 9

ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................... 10

AMENDMENT LIST ................................................................................................. 11

DISTRIBUTION LIST............................................................................................... 12

PART 1 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS – LEOC NOT OPEN .............................. 13

1.1 GENERAL .............................................................................................................................................. 13

PART 2 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS – OPEN.................................................. 14

2.1 GENERAL .............................................................................................................................................. 14

2.2 ROLES..................................................................................................................................................... 14

2.3 TASKS..................................................................................................................................................... 14

2.4 STAFFING.............................................................................................................................................. 15

2.5 EMERGENCY UNDER THE SERM ACT (1989) .............................................................................. 15

2.6 LOCATION OF THE LEOC ................................................................................................................ 16

2.7 LAYOUT OF THE LEOC..................................................................................................................... 16


PART 3 LEOC – OPERATIONS.......................................................................... 17

3.1 PRINCIPLES.......................................................................................................................................... 17

3.2 STAGES OF ACTIVATION ................................................................................................................. 18

3.2.1 ALERT ................................................................................................................................................ 19

3.2.2 STANDBY ........................................................................................................................................... 19

3.2.3 CALLOUT .......................................................................................................................................... 19

3.2.4 CALLOUT OPERATIONAL SHIFTS............................................................................................. 20

3.2.5 SECURITY DURING CALLOUT.................................................................................................... 20

3.2.6 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DURING CALLOUT............................................................ 21

3.2.7 STAND DOWN................................................................................................................................... 24

3.2.8 DEBRIEF ............................................................................................................................................ 24

PART 4 DUTY STATEMENTS ............................................................................ 25

4.1 LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER - (LEOCON) ......................................... 25

4.2 LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICER (LEMO) ....................................................... 25

4.3 SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICER (SOO)......................................................................................... 26

4.4 OPERATIONS OFFICER (OO) ........................................................................................................... 27

4.5 OPERATIONS CLERK......................................................................................................................... 27

4.6 INTELLIGENCE OFFICER................................................................................................................. 28

4.7 INTELLIGENCE CLERK .................................................................................................................... 28

4.8 LIAISON OFFICER .............................................................................................................................. 29

PART 5 ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................ 30

5.1 IDENTIFICATION OF LEOC STAFF................................................................................................ 30

5.3 CATERING & ACCOMMODATION ................................................................................................. 30

5.4 FORMS.................................................................................................................................................... 30

5.4.1 OPERATIONS LOG - ANNEXURE J ............................................................................................ 30

5.4.2 MASTER OPERATIONS LOG ........................................................................................................ 31

5.4.3 MESSAGE FORM – ANNEXURE K............................................................................................... 31

5.4.4 MESSAGE REGISTER – ANNEXURE L ....................................................................................... 31

5.5 EOC EQUIPMENT................................................................................................................................ 31

5.6 FILING.................................................................................................................................................... 32


5.7 WHITE BOARDS................................................................................................................................... 32

5.8 MAPS....................................................................................................................................................... 32

PART 6 COMMUNICATIONS............................................................................. 33

6.1 GENERAL .............................................................................................................................................. 33

6.2 TELEPHONES ....................................................................................................................................... 33

6.3 FACSIMILE............................................................................................................................................ 34

6.4 RADIO..................................................................................................................................................... 34

6.5 MEDIA .................................................................................................................................................... 34

ANNEXURES ..................................................................................................................................................... 35 A Map of the Cootamundra Shire................................................................................................. 35 B Plan of the layout of the LEOC................................................................................................. 35 C Adjacent LEOC’s (Restricted to LEOCON)............................................................................. 35 D Emergency Contacts Board.......................................................................................................35 E Resources Board ....................................................................................................................... 35 F Situation Board ......................................................................................................................... 35 G Access Board ............................................................................................................................ 35 H Significant Events Board .......................................................................................................... 35 I Victim Status Board.................................................................................................................. 35 J Operations Log ......................................................................................................................... 35 K Message Form........................................................................................................................... 35 L Message Register ...................................................................................................................... 35 M Emergency File Cover.............................................................................................................. 35 N INCOMING information flow chart ......................................................................................... 35 O OUTGOING information flow chart ........................................................................................ 35 P Situation Report (SITREP) format............................................................................................ 35 Q Emergency Warning Messages format ..................................................................................... 35 R Situation Briefing checklist....................................................................................................... 35 S Task Allocation Board .............................................................................................................. 35 T List of EOC equipment ............................................................................................................. 35 U LEMC Emergency Telephone Numbers................................................................................... 35 Annexure A....................................................................................................................................... 36 Annexure B....................................................................................................................................... 37 Annexure C....................................................................................................................................... 38 Annexure D....................................................................................................................................... 39 Annexure E ....................................................................................................................................... 40 Annexure F ....................................................................................................................................... 41 Annexure G....................................................................................................................................... 42 Annexure H....................................................................................................................................... 43 Annexure I ........................................................................................................................................ 44 Annexure J ........................................................................................................................................ 45 Annexure K....................................................................................................................................... 46 Annexure L ....................................................................................................................................... 47 Annexure M...................................................................................................................................... 48 Annexure N....................................................................................................................................... 49 Annexure O....................................................................................................................................... 50 Annexure P ....................................................................................................................................... 51 Annexure Q....................................................................................................................................... 52 Annexure R....................................................................................................................................... 53 Annexure S ....................................................................................................................................... 54 Annexure T ....................................................................................................................................... 55 Annexure T con’t.............................................................................................................................. 56 Annexure U....................................................................................................................................... 57


DEFINITIONS

Combat Agency the agency identified in DISPLAN as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency. (Source: SERM Act)

Combat Agency Controller the statutory head of the emergency services organisation, who has operational control of the resources of the particular combat agency.

Control the overall direction of the activities, agencies or individuals concerned. (Source: SERM Act) Control operates horizontally across all agencies. Situations are controlled.

Co-ordination the bringing together of agencies and individuals to ensure effective emergency or rescue management, but does not include the control of agencies and individuals by direction. (Source: SERM Act)

District the State is divided into emergency management districts. These districts generally conform to District Police Boundaries.

The Southern Highlands District includes the following Local Government Areas:-

Boorowa Shire Cootamundra Shire Upper Lachlan Greater Argyle Gundagai Shire Harden Shire

Tumut Shire Weddin Shire Yass Valley Shire

District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) the committee established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, which at District level is responsible for preparing plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the district (District DISPLAN) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the State Emergency Management Committee.

District Emergency Operations Controller (DEOCON) the Regional Commander of Police appointed by the Commissioner of Police as the District Emergency Operations Controller for the Emergency Management District.

District Emergency Management Officer (DEMO) the person appointed under the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989, as the Executive Officer to the District Emergency Management Committee and Staff Officer (Emergency Management) to the District Emergency Operations Controller.


Emergency emergency means an emergency due to the actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, terrorist act, accident, epidemic or warlike action) which:

(a) endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons or

animals in the State; or

(b) destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, property in the State,

being an emergency which requires a significant and co-ordinated response. For the purposes of the definition of emergency, property in the State includes any part of the environment of the State. Accordingly, a reference in this Act to: a) threats or danger to property includes a reference to threats or danger

to the environment, and b) the protection of property includes a reference to the protection of the

environment (Definition from the SERM Act 1989)

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) a centre established at State, District or Local level as a centre of communication and as a centre for the co-ordination of operations and support during an emergency.

Emergency Services Organisation The NSW Police Force, NSW Fire Brigades, Rural Fire Brigades, Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service, Volunteer Rescue Association or any other agency which manages or controls an accredited rescue unit.

Functional Area a category of services involved in preparations for an emergency, including the following:

a. Agricultural and Animal Services; b. Communication Services; c. Energy and Utility Services; d. Engineering Services; e. Environmental Services; f. Health Services; g. Public Information Services; h. Transport Services; i. Welfare Services; and j. Australian Defence Force.

Functional Area Co-ordinator the nominated co-ordinator of a Functional Area, tasked to co-ordinate the provision of Functional area support and resources for emergency response and recovery, who has the authority to commit the resources of those organisations


Incident a localised event, either accidental or deliberate, which may result in death, injury or damage to property which requires normal response from a combat agency or agencies. An incident becomes an emergency when the resources of the combat agency are insufficient to deal with the incident and outside resources are required. Those resources now require co-ordination.

Liaison Officer (LO) an officer appointed to represent an emergency service or a functional area in an Emergency Operations Centre or site control point. These liaison officers are to be capable of providing immediate advice to the Emergency Operations Controller on the capabilities, status, actions and requirements of their particular emergency service or functional area. Liaison Officers MUST have the authority to commit available resources from their respective organisations.

Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) the Disaster Plan for a local Government area. The object of a local DISPLAN is to ensure a graduated and co-ordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies.

Local Government Area (LGA) an area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 and includes a combined local government area as referred to in section 27 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989.

Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) the committee established by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, for each local government area, and is responsible for the preparation of plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the local government area (Local DISPLAN) for which it is constituted. In the exercise of its functions, any such Committee is responsible to the relevant District Emergency Management Committee.

Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) a Police Officer appointed by the District Emergency Operations Controller as the Local Emergency Operations Controller for the Local Government Area.

Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) a person appointed as the principle executive officer to the Local Emergency Management Committee and the Local Emergency Operations Controller.

Rescue the safe removal of persons or domestic animals from actual or threatened danger of physical harm.


ABBREVIATIONS

DEMC District Emergency Management Committee DEMO District Emergency Management Officer

DEOC District Emergency Operations Centre

DEOCON District Emergency Operations Controller

EOC Emergency Operations Centre LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee

LEMO Local Emergency Management Officer

LEOC Local Emergency Operations Centre

LEOCON Local Emergency Operations Controller

LO Liaison Officer

SEOC State Emergency Operations Committee

SEOCON State Emergency Operations Controller

SEWS Standard Emergency Warning Signal

SITREP Situation report

SOP Standing Operating Procedures


AMENDMENT LIST 1. Proposals for amendment or addition to these Standing Operating Procedures

are to be sent to:-

Local Emergency Management Operations Controller (Cootamundra Shire) Police Station, Cooper Street Cootamundra NSW 2590

2. Amendments will then be reviewed by the Cootamundra Shire Emergency

Management Committee. 3. Amendments are to be certified on the following amendment sheet.

AMENDMENT NUMBER

DATE

SIGNATURE

Original approval

1996

R Taylor

full reprint

June 2000

J McInally

full reprint

June 2006

G Lynch


DISTRIBUTION LIST ORGANISATION

APPOINTMENT

COPY

LEOCON

1

LEMO

2

LEMC - MEMBERS EMERGENCY SERVICES

Police

Duty Officer, Police Station, Cootamundra

3

Ambulance

Station Officer, Ambulance Station, Cootamundra.

4

NSW Fire Brigade

Station Officer, Fire Station, Cootamundra

5

NSW Bush Fire Service

Rural Fire Service Controllers, Harden

6


Local Controller, Cootamundra

7

AGENCIES PROVIDING SERVICES IN FUNCTIONAL AREAS

Agricultural Services

Department of Agriculture, Cootamundra

8

Communications Services

Manager, Telstra

9

Engineering Services


10

Environmental Services


11

Health Services

CEO Cootamundra Hospital

12

Transport Services

Cootamundra Shire Council / Local Transport Companies

13

Welfare Services

Department of Community Services

14

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS DISTRICT

District Emergency Management Officer (DEMO) DEOC.

15

16 COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL

LEOCON CHAIR LEMC

17-22

23


PART 1 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS – LEOC NOT OPEN 1.1 GENERAL During combat agency managed or combat agency supported operations, the LEOCON may decide to monitor, or provide any resource support required to the operation, without opening the Local Emergency Operations Centre. The Local Emergency Management Officer will provide executive and operational support to the LEOCON. Liaison Officers may also co-ordinate their support, if required, from their own Headquarters/control centres/workstations. The LEOCON will request to meet with any personnel required for briefing/debriefing at a place & time considered appropriate. Operation Logs and a record of requests and actions taken will be the MINIMUM information maintained by ALL involved. If the LEOCON considers that the situation requires the Local Emergency Operations Centre to be opened, then PART TWO of these Procedures apply.


PART 2 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS – OPEN 2.1 GENERAL The Local Emergency Operations Centre can be activated by the LEOCON to:

a. co-ordinate Local resources for response and initial recovery operations in an emergency, and/or

b. control an emergency

If the Local Emergency Operations Centre (LEOC) becomes inoperable, an alternate LEOC will be established at a location determined by the Local Emergency Operations Controller 2.2 ROLES

During emergency operations the Cootamundra Shire LEOCON will:-

a. assess the operational needs of the area affected,

b. monitor the capacity of local arrangements to effectively control and co-ordinate the situation,

c. co-ordinate assistance to the Combat Agency, from the Local

Emergency Operations Centre,

d. co-ordinate resources to assist a combat authority in response and immediate recovery,

e. co-ordinate assistance to adjoining areas, when requested, and

f. exercise direct control of operations, when necessary and/or agreed to.

2.3 TASKS The following tasks may be required during emergency operations, depending on the type and nature of the emergency:-

a. monitor events to ensure the Local Emergency Operations Controller is aware at all times of the overall situation throughout the Cootamundra Shire area (see Map Annexure A1);

b. collect, process, interpret and disseminate information and intelligence

to appropriate levels of the emergency management network;

c. provide communication facilities for independent control and co-ordination of response and immediate recovery during emergencies;


d. process requests from other Local Emergency Operations Controller/s for assistance;

e. monitor events and emergencies being managed by combat agencies

or Local Emergency Operation Centres, which may require support or control/co-ordination by the Local Emergency Operations Controller;

f. co-ordinate the provision of additional resources required to support

combat agency managed operations,

g. prepare and issue timely and appropriate warnings and information to the public;

h. issue co-ordinating directions to Emergency Service Organisation(s)

and Functional Area resources for response and immediate recovery requirements during an emergency; and

i. maintain an event log.

2.4 STAFFING The Local Emergency Operations Centre is managed by the Local Emergency Operations Controller. The minimum staffing level required for the Local Emergency Operations Centre in the initial opening stage, or while monitoring, is :-

a. LEOCON

b. LEMO

c. Operations Officer

d. Emergency Service Liaison Officers and Functional Area Co-ordinators, as required by LEOCON.

Local Emergency Operations Centre personnel, except for Liaison Officers and Functional Area Co-ordinators (and their assistants), may be drawn from the Police Force, and any other participating organisations, as required by LEOCON and/or available. Staffing levels will be determined by the Local Emergency Operations Controller or Senior Operations Officer. 2.5 EMERGENCY UNDER THE SERM ACT (1989)

Maximum Staffing (called for as required)

. The Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)

. The Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) . Senior Operations Officer (SOO)


. Operations Officer

. Operations Clerk

. Intelligence Officer

. Intelligence (Planning) Clerk

. Liaison Officer(s) and staff as required by the emergency service

. LEOC security control, as determined by the Senior Operations Officer

. Plotter/s

. Media/Public Relations Officer(s)

. VIP escort 2.6 LOCATION OF THE LEOC The LEOC location is restricted information, not for public dissemination. 2.7 LAYOUT OF THE LEOC The layout of the Local Emergency Operations Centre is shown on ANNEXURE B.



PART 3 LEOC – OPERATIONS 3.1 PRINCIPLES The main principles which apply during Emergency Operations are:

a) continuous liaison between all individuals, organisations and groups involved in the operation.

b) the responsibility for preparedness, response and recovery rests

initially at the LOCAL level. If local resources cannot cope, they will be augmented by those available through DISTRICT, STATE or COMMONWEALTH levels if necessary.

c) control of emergency operations should be conducted at the lowest possible level.

d) combat agencies may deploy their own additional resources from

outside a LOCAL or DISTRICT area if they are required to conduct single service operations.

e) During an operation which is the legal responsibility of a designated

combat agency, the Local Emergency Operations Controller is responsible, when so requested, to co-ordinate support.

f) the Local Emergency Operations Controller will normally only assume

control from a combat agency if the situation can no longer be contained and only after consultation with, and the agreement of, the relevant combat agency in terms of section 31 (1B) of the SERM Act 1989.

g) Emergency response and recovery operations should be conducted

with agencies carrying out their normal function, wherever possible.


3.2 STAGES OF ACTIVATION The LEOC is NOT staffed until required by the LEOCON and the five stages of operational activation are :-

PHASE ACTION

ALERT

LEOCON on receipt of advice of an incident which could escalate to an emergency, or which could require co-ordination of support, shall:- a) Monitor the situation. b) Inform :- * Cootamundra LEMO * ALL Emergency Service Controllers. * ALL relevant Agencies who provide a service in Functional Areas * Southern Highlands DEMO LEOCON activates LEOC to appropriate state of readiness.

STAND BY

Combat Agency advises LEOCON that assistance under DISPLAN arrangements may be required, or LEOCON determines that a Local level emergency operation is likely to be required. LEOCON shall:-- a) monitor the situation. b) activate the Cootamundra DISPLAN arrangements. c) activate the LEOC (if required), and brief ALL staff. d) place Emergency Service Functional Area Liaison Officers on

STANDBY. e) brief DEOCON.

CALL OUT

Combat Agency advises LEOCON that support is required, or the LEOCON determines that a Local level emergency operations is required. LEOCON will :- a) activate the LEOC in accordance with these Procedures. b) request ALL relevant Emergency Service & Functional Area Liaison

Officers to report to LEOC or wherever appropriate. c) liaise with the DEOCON as required. Liaison Officers will :- * maintain contact with their respective agencies and respond with resources as directed by the LEOCON.

STAND DOWN

LEOCON determines if support is no longer required and if the LEOC should close down. LEOCON will then :- a) hand control to Combat Agency and advise the continuing Recovery

and restoration measures in place. b) advise Emergency Service & Functional Area liaison officers. c) advise DEOCON d) advise the Media e) arrange time and location for debriefing.

DEBRIEF

The debrief will involve ALL Emergency Service & Functional Area liaison officers stood down on completion of their final tasks. Final reports are completed and distributed in accordance with the Standing Operating Procedures. The LEOC will be tidied up and vacated


3.2.1 ALERT

The move to ALERT occurs at the direction of the Local Emergency Operations Controller, on receipt of advice that:- a. an Emergency Service Organisation or a Combat Agency is attending to an

incident which has the potential to develop into an "Emergency" requiring co-ordination from a Local level, or

b. support is requested by an emergency service or combat agency. c. an adjoining Local Emergency Operations Centre has become operational

and "called out". The "opening" of the LEOC is at the discretion of the Local Emergency Operations Controller. 3.2.2 STANDBY

The EOC is checked for readiness. 3.2.3 CALLOUT Once a direction to "CALL OUT" has been made by LEOCON, IMMEDIATE contact MUST be made with the Cootamundra Shire Council and a request made for staff to "open" and prepare the LEOC for operations. The Telstra Emergency Service Liaison Officer (ESLO) may be contacted and asked to assist with the connection of all DISPLAN lines, other telephone and facsimile lines if required.

Phone: 1800 649 867 Fax: 1300 657 742

NOTE: DISPLAN lines are connected by phoning a number and

using a PIN number. Activation instructions are in the front of each local DISPLAN available in the EOC.

Refer to Annexure U for Telephone Numbers. The Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO), will contact the personnel that the Local Emergency Operations Controller considers necessary to be at the LEOC. (This will usually be ALL Liaison Officers initially) Arrangements will then be made for staffing the initial Shift.

The staff required for the initial shift will be contacted and asked to report to the LEOC for briefing.


3.2.4 CALLOUT OPERATIONAL SHIFTS The Local Emergency Operations Centre will normally operate on 2 shifts per 24 Hours. In affect, each shift will be 13 Hours allowing for the following where possible:-

1/2 Hour CHANGEOVER BRIEFING 12 Hours SHIFT 1/2 Hour CHANGEOVER BRIEFING

All Liaison Officers must ensure that they have sufficient personnel for these shifts. Staff MUST have at least 11 hours off between shifts. NOTE: Liaison Officers must be able to commit the resources of their organisation/area. All LEOC staff going "off duty" must leave the LEOC after briefing their replacement and ensure they have adequate rest/sleep/food before resuming duty. Whilst "ON DUTY" Liaison Officers must be continually available to the Local Emergency Operations Controller. 3.2.5 SECURITY DURING CALLOUT Once opened, the Emergency Operations Centre for Cootamundra Shire will be a secured area. Access will be restricted to working members of the LEOC. Official visitors to the LEOC will be identified and escorted, (at all times), by a member of the LEOC Staff.


3.2.6 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DURING CALLOUT

1. INFORMATION DISPLAYS

a. ALL LEOC Personnel will assist in ensuring that Boards/Displays in the LEOC are kept as up to date as possible

b. Liaison Officer's and Functional Area Co-ordinators will also be

responsible for maintaining their own information boards and reporting systems

The following information displays will be centrally maintained in the Local

Emergency Operations Centre: a. the situation map

A data projected MapInfo display showing the affected area(s). Major infrastructure may be located on this system and the emergency can be tracked as developments occur. Topo maps will available for back up.

b. locality maps

Marked with routes for response traffic, evacuations, traffic control and flow, and any other co-ordination information concerning the area, and

c. report displays

Copies of Organisational Structure, current Situation Reports, Emergency Contacts, Intelligence Summaries, Resources Board, Access Board and Victims Status Board will be posted

d. forecasting

This will also be done using the main MapInfo display for the purposes of forecasting proposed actions / tacks.

The White Boards are normally left blank and made up according to whatever

information is required and relevant to the emergency, using the following criteria:

a. the location of the main resources and forward control points;

b. resources committed;

c. resources available but not committed; and

d. additional, special, and other resources that may be required.

e. information for these boards will be provided from affected Local

Emergency Operations Centres, State EOC, Liaison Officers and functional area co-ordinators and any other relevant source of valid information.


2. INFORMATION/SITUATION BRIEFINGS The LEOCON will determine the time and place for such briefings. A check

list is shown on ANNEXURE R but will generally cover:-

a. the nature & extent of the problem/threat b. known & relevant intelligence c. the area affected, or likely to be affected d. known or likely consequences

3. DECISION BRIEFINGS

Decision briefings will usually be in the following specific problem solving

sequence i.e.

a. description of the area affected, or likely to be affected b. the nature and extent of the problem/threat c. definition of the problem/s d. summary of facts and logical deductions which relate to the problem/s e. options available, with advantages and disadvantages of each option f. recommendation of the most appropriate option/s g. time frames and tasking will be set h. date/time for next decision briefing

4. SITUATION REPORTS (SITREPS) AND FORECASTS

Situation reports will be compiled by the Operations Officer and released by

the Local Emergency Operations Controller, as and when required.

These reports and forecasts will be sent by fax or email to:-

a. The Southern Highlands District Emergency Operations Centre – Goulburn (if open), or

b. Southern Highlands DEMO, and

c. anywhere else as directed by the Local Emergency Operations

Controller

The SITREP (ANNEXURE P) format is shown on ANNEXURE P (Briefing Report) and should be used to provide an appraisal of the situation and a forecast of likely action necessary.

5. INFORMATION FLOW

In order to maintain control over information and to ensure that matters are

validated and then dealt with on the basis of priority, the systems shown on ANNEXURES N and O will be used to deal with incoming and outgoing information. All 'loops' should be closed to ensure that all matters requiring attention are dealt with.


6. DISPLAY BOARDS

a) EOC ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE To indicate staff on duty and positions held.

b) EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS BOARD - ANNEXURE D

To record important contact numbers for use during an emergency.

c) RESOURCES BOARD - ANNEXURE E

To show location, quantity, period applicable, etc. of outside resources available and/or being utilised.

d) SITUATION BOARD - ANNEXURE F

To summarise the current situation for the various locations affected by the emergency and give a brief forecast.

e) ACCESS SITUATION BOARD - ANNEXURE G

To show major roads, highways, rail links, airfields, etc. that may be open/used/closed by the emergency.

f) SIGNIFICANT EVENTS BOARD - ANNEXURE H

A board showing major/significant activities during the emergency.

g) VICTIM STATUS BOARD - ANNEXURE I

This board summarises number of deceased, hospitalised, injured, evacuated, and location.

7. ROAD INFORMATION

All information regarding road situations will be dealt with through the situation reports compiled by the Operations Officer (See Section 4).


8. MAPS / WEATHER INFORMATION / MAPINFO

The following current, forecast and "site", information will also be maintained:

a. various maps of the District together with detailed maps of the area where the incident occurs; and

b. detailed weather information together with weather/flood/fire warnings

as applicable; c. maps of the State with overlays of other organisations, showing

boundaries and command structure; and

d. operation planning overlay maps as applicable. e. MapInfo display of local area.

9. PLANS AND OPERATIONS PROCEDURES

The following Plans are held in the Local Emergency Operations Centre:

a. Local Displan b. Local Emergency Operations Centre - Standing Operations

Procedures. c. State Rescue Policy d. State Functional Area Supporting & Sub Plans e. Southern Highlands District Disaster Plan f. NSW State Disaster Plan, g. Major Structure Collapse Plan h. Local Functional Area Supporting Plans:-

1. NIL i. Local Sub Plans :-

1. Local Welfare Plan 2. Local SES Flood Plan

j. Reference material relating to Hazard Analysis, Emergency Risk Management, Community Analysis, and Disaster Management within the Cootamundra Shire area.

3.2.7 STAND DOWN The Local Emergency Operations Controller will, when satisfied that the emergency has been controlled and that support is no longer required will close down the EOC and do the other matters as detailed in Section 3.2. 3.2.8 DEBRIEF The Local Emergency Operations Controller will arrange for debriefing to occur within 7 days of Stand Down. A check list for a debrief is shown on ANNEXURE S (Task Allocations). A copy of all debriefs must be sent to DEMO as soon as possible.


PART 4 DUTY STATEMENTS

The following are generally the duties of the key personnel in the Local Emergency Operations Centre. These Duties may vary depending on the requirements of the Local Emergency Operations Controller and availability of personnel.

4.1 LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER - (LEOCON)

1. The Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) is responsible for:

• Monitoring single-service operations, where control and support co-ordination remains with the responsible combat agency, to ensure an effective response in the event that resource support is required.

• Co-ordinating external support and resources on behalf of the

responsible combat agency.

• Controlling emergency operations where: - the LEOCON is designated as controller in DISPLAN, or - there is no designated combat agency, or - the combat agency hands control over to the LEOCON (with the

approval of the combat agency head and SEOCON)

• Ensuring that emergency recovery operations are initiated as soon as possible.

2. In performing these tasks, the LEOCON may issue directions to government

or non-government agencies which have functions in connection with responses to emergencies for the purpose of controlling the allocation of resources, and for the provision of support operations.

3. The functions of the LEOCON may be exercised without the need for the

declaration of a State of Emergency.

4. To assist in the performance of these duties, the LEOCON is to establish and control an Emergency Operations Centre.

5. In performing these duties, the LEOCON is responsible to the next higher

level of responsibility. 4.2 LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICER (LEMO)

1. The Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) is the executive officer to the

LEOCON, and advises, supports and assists LEOCON to monitor, control and co-ordinate emergency operations as necessary.

2. The LEMO is responsible for:

• providing executive support and operational advice to the LEOCON as

required;


• the ongoing management of the EOC and its facilities, including administrative measures relative to the EOC;

• providing an ongoing monitoring service to ensure the LEOCON is

aware of incidents with the potential to develop into emergencies;

• preparation of post emergency report/s.

3. In performing these duties, the LEMO is responsible to the LEOCON.

4.3 SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICER (SOO)

1. The Senior Operations Officer is responsible to the LEOCON for:

• the overall effective management of the EOC, including staff supervision and application of Standing Operating Procedures;

• monitoring developing situations;

• preparing an appreciation of the situation;

• providing the LEOCON and LEMO with a clear and concise picture of

the situation;

• providing information and advice on: - DISPLANS, including the responsibilities of emergency services and

functional areas, and resource co-ordination arrangements, and - the acquisition and tasking of outside support and resources;

• managing the process for collecting, collating, and disseminating

information;

• monitoring the level of activity in the EOC and advising the LEOCON of any need for reduced or additional staff;

• preparing staff duty rosters for the EOC;

• calling on liaison officers and staff as required;

• providing operational briefings as directed by the LEOCON;

• rostering meal breaks for staff;

• arranging catering for staff and sleeping accommodation

• providing responses to initial enquiries from the media; • arranging and co-ordinating the formal operational debrief;

• performing the function of EOC Warden, and conducting an evacuation

of the EOC if necessary, in accordance with evacuation procedures.


2. The Senior Operations Officer is also responsible for maintaining an event diary by recording the major activities and actions undertaken, to assist the LEMO to prepare the post emergency report/s.

3. Before ceasing duty, the Senior Operations Officer is to brief the incoming

SOO on the current operational situation, particularly problems encountered, actions taken, and action still outstanding.

4.4 OPERATIONS OFFICER (OO)

1. The Operations Officer is responsible to the Senior Operations Officer

(SOO) for:

• ensuring the LEOCON, LEMO and the SOO have a clear, accurate and concise picture of the situation;

• ensuring the LEOCON’s decisions are promptly translated into action

orders/instructions and issued to the appropriate agency; • monitoring the situation to ensure that the LEOCON’s

orders/instructions are carried out with the minimum of delay; • maintaining a Master Log to record the actions taken by all staff

including Liaison Officers; • ensuring that information is correctly distributed within the EOC; • deciding which information is to be displayed in the EOC; in

accordance with guidelines contained in SOP’s; • ensuring all requests are appropriately actioned; • reviewing the stand-by status of resources; • supervising the activities of the Operations Clerk(s).

2. Before ceasing duty, the Operations Officer is to brief the incoming

Operations Officer on the current operational situation, particularly problems encountered, actions taken and action still outstanding.

4.5 OPERATIONS CLERK

1. The Operations Clerk is responsible to the Operations Officer for:

• ensuring that all incoming and outgoing messages are handled in accordance with the message flow and filing systems outlined in SOP’s;

• routing and transmitting messages by the most suitable method; • preparing and maintaining an internal telephone directory for staff

positions within the EOC;


• ensuring that all necessary displays and boards/maps are updated with

the minimum of delay, and that all relevant information is correctly recorded prior to filing messages;

• ensuring that adequate supplies of stationery are available.

2. Before ceasing duty, the Operations Clerk is to brief the incoming

Operations Clerk on the current operational situation, particularly problems that have occurred, action taken and action still outstanding.

4.6 INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

1. The Intelligence Officer is responsible to the Senior Operations Officer for: • collecting, collating, assessing and interpreting information to produce

operational intelligence;

• predicting or anticipating future developments and consequences of the emergency, including assessing resource requirements;

• displaying and disseminating intelligence for the use of LEOCON, the EOC

staff, and agencies; • providing and preparing maps, overlays, traces, enlargements, and

photographs of the operations area;

• preparing and conducting intelligence briefings and debriefings as required;

• maintaining intelligence records; • supervising the activities of the Intelligence Clerk(s). 2. Before ceasing duty, the Intelligence Officer is to brief the incoming

Intelligence Officer on the current operational situation, actions taken, outstanding problems yet to be resolved and planning options.

4.7 INTELLIGENCE CLERK

1. The Intelligence Clerk is responsible to the Intelligence Officer for assisting

with: • collecting, collating and assessing information;

• displaying and disseminating intelligence for the use of LEOCON, the EOC

staff, and agencies;

• providing and preparing maps, overlays, traces, enlargements, and photographs of the operations area;

• gathering information for use in the conduct of briefings and debriefings as

required;


• maintaining intelligence records;

• recording all relevant information on operational maps. 2. Before ceasing duty, the Intelligence Clerk is to brief the incoming

Intelligence Clerk on the current operational situation, actions taken, outstanding problems yet to be resolved and planning options.

4.8 LIAISON OFFICER

1. Liaison Officers (LOs) represent emergency services agencies and functional areas active in the emergency operation. LOs are only called for duty in the EOC as required and, when called, provide advice to, and accept tasking directions from the LEOCON and the Senior Operations Officer.

2. LOs are to:

• advise on the operational capabilities, resources, and operating procedures

of the agency or functional area represented;

• provide operational information and intelligence from the agency or functional area represented;

• convey LEOCON’s tasking directions and priorities to the agency or

functional area represented for implementation;

• clarify the LEOCON’s intentions an necessary;

• obtain the latest information from the agency or functional area represented in regard to the current operational situation and requirements;

• keep EOC staff informed on the agency or functional area deployment

status, resources available for tasking, support required and future intentions;

• maintain communication links between the EOC and the agency operation

centre or functional area co-ordination centre, as well as to the equivalent LOs at higher and/or lower EOCs;

• comply with the EOC SOPs in regard to message recording, distribution and

filing.

3. Before ceasing duty, the LO is to brief the incoming LO on the current operational situation, particularly any problems encountered, actions taken, and any action still outstanding.


PART 5 ADMINISTRATION 5.1 IDENTIFICATION OF LEOC STAFF

All personnel staffing the LEOC will wear, at all times, a name-tag and tabard indicating: who they are, the emergency service/functional area they represent, and, that they are a member of the LEOC staff.

5.2 ROSTER ARRANGEMENTS

Rostering of staff for shift duty in the Local Emergency Operations Centre is determined by the Local Emergency Management Officer and/or the Senior Operations Officer (SOO). Liaison Officers and Functional area co-ordinators are responsible for rostering (in consultation with the SOO), staff for their own area of responsibility. The Operations Officer is to produce the Emergency Operations Centre’s “Staff Duty Roster”, which should show the specialist skills available and required for the emergency. A copy of the roster is prominently displayed in the Local Emergency Operations Centre.

5.3 CATERING & ACCOMMODATION

Necessary arrangements will be made by the SOO to ensure that all Staff are catered for. Sleeping accommodation, (if required), will be arranged by the SOO at local motels/hotels.

5.4 FORMS It is anticipated that much of the work undertaken in the EOC will be done

verbally and informally. However, where there is a requirement to record certain matters, the following forms should be used:-

5.4.1 OPERATIONS LOG - ANNEXURE J

A Log Sheet is to be maintained by all staff on duty in the Local

Emergency Operations Centre. As each sheet is completed, it is to be signed and then handed to the SOO to enable an up to date picture of the situation to be maintained.

Once information/action on the sheet is completed, the SOO initials the sheet and passes it to the Operations Clerk for filing.


5.4.2 MASTER OPERATIONS LOG

The Senior Operations Officer master operations log is to record:

a. Reference to log sheets b. Telephone conversation contact c. Radio communications contact d. Summary of written message and reports received and

dispatched e. Reports from liaison officers and official visitors f. Time of issue of operations orders and administrative orders g. Time of briefing and conferences h. Movements of principal staff i. Dispatch of situation reports and j. Any key information which enables briefings and/or situation

reports to be prepared.

5.4.3 MESSAGE FORM – ANNEXURE K

A Message Form is to be used when the information received is: a. Of an urgent/important nature and needs to be brought to the

attention of the Emergency Operations Controller/Duty Officer, or actioned immediately by some other person on duty in the Emergency Operations Centre.

b. Used to record telephone conversations, messages and debriefings of other personnel, and

c. Once completed, logged and passed on to the Senior Operations Officer and Operations Clerk for filing.

5.4.4 MESSAGE REGISTER – ANNEXURE L

A Message Register is to be used to record a log of all messages giving formal instructions / directions, seeking comments, or providing information. Once completed and actioned it is to be passed to the Senior Operations Officer and or Operations Clerk for filing.

5.5 EOC EQUIPMENT

Most of the EOC equipment is held in the Council chambers. Some equipment from the offices downstairs may be used. Details of equipment and possible sources of equipment to be obtained are listed in Annexure T.


5.6 FILING

An “Emergency File”, ANNEXURE M will be created for each occurrence that requires the Local Emergency Operations Centre to be opened.

All events that require the opening of the Local Emergency Operations Centre are given an “Emergency File” Number, e.g. 9/99. The Emergency File Number consists of two parts:- a. The number of the Emergency issued in chronological order, and b. The last two digits of the year. Eg. The ninth emergency in 1999 is indicated by 9/99. Paperwork for each emergency is placed on one file.

Any original facsimile is to be passed to the Operations Officer who will indicate distribution/action. A copy is to be placed on the “Emergency File”. Any copies are to be stamped “copy” and distributed within the Local Emergency Operations Centre as directed by the Operations Officer.

5.7 WHITE BOARDS

All reports by staff or liaison officers, (from any source) should be plotted by the appropriate staff on the relevant boards/maps in the Local Emergency Operations Centre as soon as possible after receipt. Each Emergency Service and Functional Area should have whiteboard space for their own use in addition to those boards which will be used to record information common to all organisations.

5.8 MAPS The centrally located MapInfo display, showing the entire area and immediate

surrounds, will be the main visual display of the CURRENT situation.

It is essential that information be plotted or displayed on this map as soon as possible after receipt, as it will provide the “Big Picture” for the entire operation/situation and will be a vital part in the decision making process.

Maps of various types and scales are kept in a cabinet at the Council Office. If additional mapping is required, the Mapping Liaison Officer with the Department of Lands at Goulburn should be contacted.


PART 6 COMMUNICATIONS 6.1 GENERAL

Most information flow within the LEOC will be by conversation, but it is essential that the message flow systems shown on ANNEXURES N & O be followed by all personnel for messages that are generated or received. The system is designed to ensure that messages are:- a. validated and actioned as soon as possible, and in priority order, b. handled by appropriate staff, with no duplication of function, c. and, not overlooked or lost Incoming Information is to be separately recorded on the log held by the Operations Clerk. Outgoing information is to be handled in the same manner. General inquiries from the public WILL NOT be handled from the LEOC

6.2 TELEPHONES

The normal method of communication to and from the LEOC will be by telephone. Six telephones with STD capability are available within the Local Emergency Operations Centre (activation directions are in the front each local DISPLAN). Internal telephone directories, Telstra phone directories and a directory of emergency contacts throughout the area are accessible within the EOC. Mobile / cellular phones can be used within the LEOC. Each Emergency Service MAY provide hand held radios for contact with their Headquarters - ideally fitted with ear phones to avoid disruption to others. NOTE In the event of a complete failure of the telephone system, the following alternatives may be available for contact with other LEOC’s and the DEOC - 1. Emergency Service’s radio networks 2. Civilian radio networks 3. Local Commercial and Community Radio stations 4. UHF CB network 5. Council radio 6. Other essential services radio networks 7. Any other system appropriate at the time


6.3 FACSIMILE Facsimile is available for the transmission and receipt of messages in the Local

Emergency Operations Centre. Numbers will be advised by Council officers as soon as connected.

NOTE: These numbers MUST NOT BE RELEASED to the general

public or the Media

6.4 RADIO

The use of radio as a link from the LEOC to agency operation centres or functional area coordination centres is NOT recommended (unless there are no other options)

6.5 MEDIA

TV, radio, press or media personnel will NOT be allowed in the Local Emergency Operations Centre during operations. A special Media Briefing area will be used. This will normally be in the open area outside the Engineering staff offices. The Police Media Unit will be utilised for the dissemination of public messages and out of area media releases. The LEOCON will advise who will be the emergency operations "spokesperson" to the media.

Cootamundra Shire Local Emergency Management Area EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE


ANNEXURES

A Map of the Cootamundra Shire B Plan of the layout of the LEOC C Adjacent LEOC’s (Restricted to LEOCON) D Emergency Contacts Board E Resources Board F Situation Board G Access Board H Significant Events Board I Victim Status Board J Operations Log K Message Form L Message Register M Emergency File Cover N INCOMING information flow chart O OUTGOING information flow chart P Situation Report (SITREP) format Q Emergency Warning Messages format R Situation Briefing checklist S Task Allocation Board T List of EOC equipment U LEMC Emergency Telephone Numbers

(Restricted to LEOCON & LEMO)


Annexure A

Map of Cootamundra Shire

Cootamundra Shire Emergency Area



Annexure B

Layout of the Cootamundra Local Emergency Operations Centre

Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra



Annexure C

LIST OF ADJACENT LEOC’s

(Restricted to LEOCON, Contact by Police Radio)

ORGANISATION

WHO

(appointment & name) LOCATION

Young Harden Gundagai Junee Temora (Riverina District)



Annexure D

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Correct as at (date/time) ORGANISATION

WHO (appointment & name) LOCATION

TELEPHONE / FAX

REMARKS



Annexure E

RESOURCES BOARD

Correct as at (Date/time)

RESOURCE TYPE

QUANTITY

AVAILABLE

LOCATION

ALLOCATION/

REVIEW



Annexure F SITUATION BOARD

Correct as at (date/time)

INCIDENT (what happened and when)

LOCATION (where exactly, relate to map/scale & grid reference)

CONTROL [who is in charge [where located [communications system/s [what liaison officers at site control [what other liaison officers are required

SUMMARY (of the emergency situation) [ - overview [ - any special hazards/threats [ - what has been done [ - what needs to be done [ - what is intended to be done [ - supporting services



Annexure G

ACCESS SITUATION BOARD (information obtained from Road Information Cell)


ROAD/RAIL/AIR/WATER

OPEN / CLOSED

DETOUR or ALTERNATE

REMARKS (incl. when expect to re-open)



Annexure H SIGNIFICANT EVENTS BOARD

Correct as at date/time)

SERIAL

DATE/TIME

EVENT

RESPONSIBILITY

COMPLETED

REMARKS




Annexure I VICTIM STATUS BOARD


NUMBER & LOCATION

TYPE

REMARKS

* deceased * injured (use Triage system) RED (immediate life threatening

injuries) ORANGE (Less serious) GREEN (walking injured) * TRAPPED * EVACUEES * HOMELESS * UNACCOUNTED FOR



Annexure J OPERATIONS LOG

No.

DATE

TIME (24Hr) PARTICULARS ACTION/COMMENT

COMPLETED


Annexure K MESSAGE FORM

FROM: Agency:

Date/Time:

TO: Agency:

Telephone: Facsimile:

SUBJECT:

Details of conversation:

Action taken: Action required:

Signature of Officer: Designation:

DISTRIBUTION: Tick as appropriate

EOCON Intelligence Clerk LO -

EMO Plotter LO -

Duty Officer LO - LO -

Operations Officer LO - LO -

Operations Clerk LO - LO -

Intelligence Officer LO - Filing Clerk



Annexure L MESSAGE REGISTER

Agency:_______________________ Date:____________________

Number In Out

Time From/To Subject Distribution



Annexure M

EMERGENCY FILE COVER No.____/____ EMERGENCY ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… LOCATION ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… LOCAL E.O.C.'S INVOLVED …..……………………………………………………………………………………………………….… ALERT (date/time) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. CALL OUT (date/time) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. STAND DOWN (date/time) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FOLIO

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16



Annexure N

INCOMING INFORMATION FLOW CHART



Annexure O

OUTGOING INFORMATION FLOW CHART



Annexure P SITUATION REPORT

(SITREP) INITIATING EOC: SITREP NO: Date/Time:

1. SITUATION SUMMARY:

2. ACTIONS TAKEN:

3. EVALUATION

Next SITREP due to be issued at: hours on (Date)

Signature:

Name: Appointment: Telephone/Extn:



Annexure Q

EMERGENCY WARNING MESSAGES (Guide to content) 1. This warning is issued by the Cootamundra Shire Emergency Operations

Controller at (insert the time of issue...............) 2. Describe the type of emergency 3. Describe the area to which the Warning applies. 4. List the actions required to be taken by residents. 5. If evacuation is required include :-

a. what the problem is b. where you want people to go to c. how you want them to get there d. the route to be taken e. how long they expect to be evacuated for f. security arrangements

6. The telephone number for confirmation of details of the warning message.



Annexure R

SITUATION BRIEFING CHECKLIST

INTRODUCTION 1. Objective: What is the purpose of the briefing 2. Scope: Time, geographic limits, specific topics BODY 1. Intelligence

a. weather report, forecasts, warnings b. areas/s of operation - topography c. the threat & developments d. other matters

2. Operations

a. what has been done b. what is being done c. what has to be done

3. Personnel

a. staffing and shift arrangements b. staff requirements

4. Logistics

a. resources status b. supply status c. additional resources required d. offers of assistance

5. Supporting Organisations

a. who, where and what are they doing b. liaison officer availability/requirements

CONCLUSION 1. Questions 2. Summation of main points & actions required 3. Next SITUATION BRIEFING (date/time/place)



Annexure S

TASK ALLOCATIONS

TASK

PRIORITY

ALLOCATED TO

ACTION FINISHED



Annexure T

LIST OF EQUIPMENT FOR E.O.C.

Description

Number

Comment

Electronic White Board (2 No.) 1 Already at the EOC DISPLAN phone lines 6 Installed. Refer Annexure U for

Pin Numbers Phone handsets (8 No.) 6 Already at the EOC Fax machine 1 Local Supplier or from Council Copy Paper (Various Colours) As needed Borrow from Council Office Photocopier/Fax 1 On site Liaison Officers information kit 1 For each Emergency Agency

Master Forms 1 each of Victim State Board, Situation Board, Resources Board, Access Board, Message Forms, Message Register, Situation Report, Sign on Sheets, Contacts Board, Organisation Chart

Tabards Set On site Tables and chairs As needed EOC + Borrow from Council Miscellaneous Stationery (Pens/Pads/Folders etc)

Council supplies



Annexure T con’t

LIAISON OFFICER INFORMATION KIT Starting Kit is located in the office of the Group Leader Utility Services at the Council. CONTENTS:

DESCRIPTION NUMBER COMMENT A4 Writing pads 1 Telephone Handsets 1 SOP’s for LEOC 1 Cootamundra Displan 1 Cootamundra Aerodrome Emergency Plan

1

Operations Logs several Message Forms several Message Register several Post it Pads Various LOCAL SUPPLIERS Telephone Fax Cootamundra IGA 6942 1131 6942 1110 Woolworths 6942 3566



Annexure U

LEMC – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

NOTE: These numbers are not for public issue. Restricted to the LEOCON and the LEMO

No. NUMBER 1 6942 4790 2 6942 4793 3 6942 4875 4 6942 4901 5 6942 4948 6 6942 4984

To activate telephones see notes in the front of the Cootamundra Shire DISPLAN. PIN number is the Cootamundra postcode. If the phones do not work call the number below. Telstra Emergency Service Liaison Officer (Ph: 1800 649 867) and follow the prompts (Fax: 1300 657 742)


COOTAMUNDRA - LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT … · 2013-06-24 · PART 4 - CONTROL, COORDINATION AND...

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Transcript of COOTAMUNDRA - LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT … · 2013-06-24 · PART 4 - CONTROL, COORDINATION AND...