IGEM Report 1: 2017-18 - THE CYCLONE DEBBIE REVIEW

Inspector-General Emergency Management

Evacuation

Themes

“Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacuate. No more. With [Hurricane] Irene, you had mass evacuations – mandatory ones – issued days ahead of time. That was the right thing to do.”

Lt-Gen Russel L Honoré, US Army - Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina

Evacuation in Queensland

The decision to evacuate is significant. Safety is its primary driver. But an evacuation carries risk, both to those being evacuated and to those managing the evacuation. Those deciding must balance a range of factors: the hazard, numbers, time of day, weather, routes, destination, communications, and available resources. Whether before or after an event, they will do so in a climate of uncertainty and pressure. Since the 1970s, it has been recognised that mass evacuation in disasters can cause anxiety and stress, leading to panic and loss of life. An evacuation affects the whole community: young, old, families, pets, friends, those in hospital, transport workers, hoteliers, emergency workers and more. In a prepared community, all with responsibility should understand how evacuation works and their part in it. In Queensland evacuation arrangements are in line with nationally-agreed principles and concepts. The evacuation process and a guide for plans are set out in The Queensland Evacuation Guidelines for Disaster Management Groups . These guidelines identify the agencies involved in evacuation and the roles they play. In partnership with the Australian Red Cross, the Queensland Government has also produced the Queensland Evacuation Centre Management Handbook , which provides guidance to decision-makers responsible for the operation and management of an evacuation centre.

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The Cyclone Debbie Review

Lessons for delivering value and confidence through trust and empowerment