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

Inspector-General Emergency Management

Emergency Alert The EA is one element in a suite of tools for warning the public. Given the often rapid and complex nature of emergency events, local governments have been encouraged by QFES to pre-prepare EA campaign messages and polygons for known disaster risks.

Themes

The pre-prepared campaigns are stored by QFES and tested by SDCC Watch Desk staff. Many councils have prepared EAs for storm tide and flood inundation areas, as these risks are often known.

Emergency Alert process diagram. 108

Source: Queensland Emergency Alert Guidelines

USE OF EMERGENCY ALERT (EA) IS REQUIRED

REQUESTING OFFICER

Where practicable, submit the complete QFES “Emergency Alert Request Form” to the SDCC Watch Desk

Ensure consequence management arrangements are in place

Where not practicable, submit EA request details via other means

Contact QFES at local or state level

EA USER (SDCC Watch Desk)

Start Emergency Management System workflow for EA

EMS will notify QFES Media of EA details

Contact the AO for advice and approval

If required, confirm and clarify details with Requesting Officer

AUTHORISING OFFICER (AO)

Ensures that the LDCs of affected local governments and the Minister's Office are notified

Receives call to advise there is an occurrence which requires use of EA

Ensures the EA Guiding Principles have been complied with

Verifies that consequence management arrangements are in place

Approves the campaign as being compliant

EA USER

Accesses Emergency Alert and prepares campaign

EA USER

In the event of a large failure rate contact the IC and AO for direction and advice

EA USER

Confirms polygon area and the message content with the Requesting Officer

Campaign not Correct

EA USER Monitors Campaign

Records results

Campaign Correct EA USER

Campaign not Approved

Notifies IC and closes campaign

Contacts the AO for final approval to release campaign

Campaign is transmitted to affected community by telcos

Campaign Approved

COMMUNITY

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The Cyclone Debbie Review

Lessons for delivering value and confidence through trust and empowerment