Councils and emergency services prepared for disaster

Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie disaster management groups were put to the test today in a joint real-time practice exercise.

Exercise Firestorm was a realistic scenario, based on a serious and hazardous bush fire affecting all three local government areas.

It tested the readiness of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs) the Sunshine Coast and Gympie District Disaster Management Groups (DDMGs), police, fire, ambulance, SES and other services.

Sunshine Coast Deputy Mayor and Acting LDMG Chair Councillor Chris Thompson said the exercise tested the response capability and business continuity of the region’s disaster management authorities.

“The exercise was an opportunity for all areas of our disaster management teams to test and improve their responses and skills in case disaster does strike,” Cr Thompson said.

“The control and coordination of all emergency operations depends on adequate preparation, planning and good communication between all disaster management groups in our region.

“The teams have had plenty of practice dealing with severe weather and floods in recent years, but large scale bushfires are a natural part of the Queensland landscape and we need to prepare for that risk.

“Bushfires cause significant disruption to everyday life, they destroy property, and they do kill people.

“As we approach summer it’s vital that our communities also get ready for possible disasters by preparing their homes and businesses.”

The local disaster coordination was set up to:

• Test communications systems and radio networks which are vital for identifying problems during disasters and extreme weather events
• Test equipment and emergency response plans
• Test community evacuation procedures
• Test community warnings, advice and social media networks
• Practice communication protocols between disaster coordination centres and other groups (including Main Roads, UnityWater, Energex and isolated communities) to receive information about damage and road closures around the region.

Residents can visit Sunshine Coast Council’s Disaster Hub for all the information they need to prepare their homes and businesses, and stay up to date with important information such as road closures, evacuation centres and weather warnings.

How to prepare for bushfires

• Discuss the risk with your family and neighbours – what are the potential scenarios and would you do if they occur?
• Make sure you have an emergency evacuation plan.
• Prepare an emergency kit and learn first aid.
• Nominate two meeting places in case of an emergency, one nearby and another outside your neighbourhood, that everyone in your home can easily get to.
• Nominate two family members or friends who do not live with you (one local, one interstate) to be household emergency contacts in case you and your family become separated.