mapleton!*!flaxton! community!! disaster!management! plan! · pdf file01/10/2015 ·...

Draft Mapleton -Flaxton Community Disaster Management Plan V4 1

Mapleton - Flaxton

COMMUNITY DISASTER MANAGEMENT

PLAN


DOCUMENT CONTROL

Version Notes Date

M-F-M Community Disaster Management Plan V1

Draft for initial inclusion in Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan (SCLDMP)

May 2015

Version 2 Revise format to comply with SC plans and after May public meeting

Jun 2015

M-F Version 3 Review after discussions with Mapleton reps. Reduce area covered to Mapleton/ Flaxton, revise membership, revised paragraph headings

Feb 2016

M-F Version 4 Review after discussions with Mapleton reps. Updated and rationalised annexes, added map of suggested boundaries

May 2016


Table of Contents

1. Introduction 4

2. Establishment Mapleton-Flaxton Community Disaster Management Group 4

3. Mapleton-Flaxton region in context 5

4. Membership 5

5. Role 7

6. Functions 7

7. Preparation of Plan 8

8. Hazards and risks identified in community 8

9. M-F Group role in disaster / emergency event 8

10. Activation 9

11. Governance 12

12. Exercise and review 12

13. Method and modes of communication 12

14. Local awareness and promotion 13

15. Registration or evacuation centre support 13

16. Out of area accommodation arrangements 14

17. Security and crime prevention 14

Appendices:

1. Map of Mapleton -Flaxton DM region

2. Asset and Capacity Register

3. Emergency Contact List (for public use)

4. Hazards, Hot Spots and Risk Table

5. Role Description (Chair and Deputy Chair)

6. Contact Flow Chart (not for public distribution)


Mapleton-Flaxton Community Disaster Management Plan

1. Introduction

The interim Flood Commission of Enquiry report handed down in August 2011 recommended that local governments in Queensland address local risks and circumstances in their disaster management planning processes. In response to the Flood Commission’s recommendation the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group has authorised the establishment of community sub groups in areas that are often isolated. Community Disaster Management Sub Groups are established in line with Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements, Disaster Management Strategic Policy Framework and the Disaster Management Act 2003.

2. Establishment of Community Disaster Management Sub Groups

The establishment of community sub groups will provide a stronger community input into all aspects of disaster preparedness, prevention, response and recovery (PPRR) and will foster the strengths of natural and potential community leaders. Communities have collective knowledge which increases the capacity to self-organise effectively and develop links and connections within their community, opens lines of communication between the community and the Local Disaster Coordination Centre, emergency services and other agencies. It also provides an opportunity to be inclusive, enabling equitable participation and building the capacity of individuals in the community to contribute and lead.

While the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) is responsible for maintaining the overall regional disaster management plan, the community sub group, with its local knowledge, will act in the local community’s interests to prepare for, and wherever and whenever possible in the initial stages, respond to a major incident or natural disaster. Resilience within the community to natural hazards and human-caused events starts with the individual and encompasses those individuals, community groups and networks, business, government and non-government agencies that are representative within these communities. Community resilience is about building local level capacity and empowerment.

The purpose of the community disaster management sub group is to establish a core group of people within a local community, who possess the local knowledge and expertise to ensure that disaster management and disaster operations within the local area are managed. The following arrangements form part of the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements to assist with the management of disaster operations within the Sunshine Coast region.

Five community sub groups have been established. They include:

• Conondale Kenilworth (CK Group)

• Eudlo-Palmwoods (EP Group)

• Maleny and District (Maleny Group)

• Mapleton-Flaxton (MF Group)

• Mooloolah – Eudlo (ME Group)


3. Mapleton-Flaxton in Context

Mapleton (26.37.458ºS, 152.52.05ºE, 370m AMSL) and Flaxton (26.39.91ºS, 152.52.86ºE, 400m AMSL) is situated 113 kilometres north of Brisbane, and approximately 10 minutes driving time from Nambour, 25 minutes to Maleny and 30 minutes from Maroochydore. It is located at the northern end of the Blackall Range in the “hinterland” region of the Sunshine Coast. It is within the local government area of Sunshine Coast Council. Mapleton and Flaxton are bounded to the south by Montville, to the east by an escarpment and the Bruce Highway and along most of its western boundary by National Parks and the Mary Valley. The Montville to Nambour road passes through from south to north. The nearest railway station is Nambour. The centre of the locality is the urban township of Mapleton, while the outer areas include smaller localities of Gheerulla, Obi Obi, Dulong, Kureelpa and Hunchy, which have mostly small allotments and rural housing. The western edge of the region remains heavily forested with mainly native species of wet sclerophyll and remnant rainforest. For the purpose of assisting with disaster planning the regional boundaries are shown in Annex A. The main community infrastructure in Mapleton-Flaxton includes:

• a primary school

• small commercial centre with services and shops

• tavern

• bowls club

• parklands, known as Lilyponds

• Queensland Conference and Camping Centre

• RSL

• church

• community hall

• community library.

There is no industry and the area is mostly residential. Commercial activity includes small scale rural industries and services, with two caravan parks, several self-catering units, plus a range of bed and breakfasts. The last census in 2011 recorded a population of 1439 (Mapleton) and 850 (Flaxton). The average minimum temperatures range from 9º to 22ºC, the average maximum range from 21º to 26ºC while the average annual rainfall is 1500 mm. The area is considered vulnerable to bushfire.

4. Membership Community Disaster Management Sub Group

The following positions are suggested for membership of the Mapleton-Flaxton Community Disaster Management Sub Group

Chair M-F Community DM Sub Group Member QPS

Dpty Chair M-F Community DM Sub Group Member Peter Hulme

Dpty Chair M-F Community DM Sub Group Member Graham Shackell


QPS - Officer in Charge Palmwoods police station

Member Sgt Greg Crowley

QPS - Officer in Charge Nambour station Member S/Sergeant Gary Brayley

RFS Kureelpa Captain Member Steven deVere

RFS Mapleton Captain Member Steve Allen

Rural Fire Service OIC Member

Mapleton District Community Association Member Burnie Collins

Red Cross Member Juanita Overson

Local Division Five Councillor Ex-officio Cr Jenny MacKay

Local Division Ten Councillor Ex-officio Cr Greg Rogerson

Queensland State Parliament Glasshouse Ex-officio Andrew Powell

Queensland State Parliament Rep Nicklin Ex-officio Peter Wellington

Council’s Community Resilience Officer Secretariat Melanie Ferguson

QPS Exec Officer, District Disaster Coord Advisor Sgt Rick Liddy

QFES (Fire) Area Commander Advisor Lloyd Johnston

QFES (EM) Area Director Advisor Andrew Wyatt

QFES (EM) Community Engagement Officer Advisor Julie Bruynius

Qld Parks and Wildlife (based in Maleny) Advisor Nat Smith

SES Group Leader Maleny Advisor Scot Perrie

SES Group Leader Nambour Advisor

Mapleton State School (Education Qld) Advisor Dr Jenny Clark

Blackall Range Independent School Advisor Louise Cameron

Mapleton Australia Post Advisor Elizabeth Buckley

Unity Water Rep Advisor Glen Harsh

Telstra Rep Advisor Russell Paten

Energex Rep Advisor Steve Fairless

Maleny Hospital (Qld Health) Advisor Angela Palmer

Nambour Hospital (Qld Health) Advisor

Medicare Local Sunshine Coast Advisor

Queensland Ambulance Service Nambour Advisor

Nambour Meals on Wheels Advisor Sue Marchant

Blackall Range Care Group Advisor Janene McCarthy

Mapleton RSL Sub Branch Advisor Dane Roberts

Mapleton Bowls Club Advisor Rob Shoyer


Rotary / Probus Advisor Kaye Rogers

Mapleton IGA Advisor Kel Anderson

Uniting Church Advisor Peter Overton

Zonta Advisor Kay Gardner

Animal Welfare Advisor

5. Role

While the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) representing Sunshine Coast Council Area, is responsible for maintaining and executing the overall regional disaster management plan, the M-F Community Disaster Management Sub Group, with local knowledge and resources, will act in the local community’s interests to prepare for, and in the initial stages, respond to a major incident or natural disaster in times when normal outside assistance cannot reach the isolated community. This will be done under the guidance and direction of the LDMG.

The M-F Group will operate under the same legislation, policies and documentation as the LDMG. The M-F Group will use local expertise and their relationships with all member agencies to initiate the responses that would be expected by the LDMG as the group is ideally placed to provide immediate disaster management at the community level given its understanding of social, environmental, economic and public infrastructure issues.

6. Functions

Functions of the M-F Group will include but not limited to:

• Develop effective local emergency and disaster management arrangements and regularly review and assess these arrangements;

• Ensure that disaster management and disaster operations in the specific area are consistent with the State’s strategic policy framework for disaster management;

• Develop an effective community disaster management plan for the specific area and regularly review and assess the M-F Community Disaster Management Plan;

• Identify and provide advice to the LDMG regarding support services required by the M-F Group to facilitate disaster management and disaster operations in the area;

• Ensure that the community is aware of ways of mitigating the adverse effects of an event, preparing for and responding to a disaster;

• Encourage and educate the community about disasters and emergencies and endeavour to build the community’s resilience;

• Provide recommendations to the LDMG about disaster management operational matters in the local area;

• Identify and coordinate the use of resources that may be used for disaster operations in the area as required by the M-F Group and the LDMG;


• Establish and review a communications strategy for the M-F Group and the LDMG for use in disasters and emergencies;

• Ensure the LDMG is promptly notified about a disaster event in the local area;

• Perform other miscellaneous functions that may be necessary from time to time.

7. Preparation of Community Disaster Management Plans

In accordance with the Disaster Management Act 2003 and consistent with the Queensland Disaster Management Guidelines for local government, the M-F Group will prepare an M-F Community Disaster Management Plan which complements the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan 2015. Once prepared it is to be endorsed by the LDMG prior to implementation.

The Chair of the M-F Group, as the first point of contact and coordinator of a community disaster response, will liaise with the Sunshine Coast Council Local Disaster Coordinator (LDC) regarding the endorsement of the M-F Community Disaster Management Plan.

8. Hazards and Risks Identified by the Community

The community has identified the following known risks:

• Bushfire

• Severe storms

• Strong winds

• Vehicle accidents

• Local flooding and landslips

• Prolonged drought

• Chemical hazards

These risks are consistent with a number of the risks identified in the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan however other risks may emerge and require a community response.

9. Mapleton-Flaxton Group Role in Disaster / Emergency Event

All disaster and emergency management agencies undertake their roles and responsibilities and align their commitments to the objectives of mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, commonly referred to as PPRR. These objectives form the basis for planning, training, rehearsals and of course responses when an event occurs.

The coordination of the Sunshine Coast Disaster Management system utilises an all hazards/all agencies approach with a graduated response to events on a tiered basis, starting with appropriate actions at the community level, with actions and


requests for resources escalating as the scale of the event increases. These actions and the respective tiers include:

• Initial response by individuals and the local community with local resources, available emergency services and the M-F Group

• Initial response and additional resources coordinated by a lead agency Incident Coordination Centre / Forward Coordination Centre

• Supplementary resources and services provided and coordinated by the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC)

• Specialist response and resources coordinated by the Sunshine Coast District Disaster Coordination Centre (DDCC)

• Extra resources or highly specialised resources coordinated by the State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC).

10. Activation

Activation and operation of a coordination centre is a graduated process with four levels:

1) Alert - Yellow

2) Lean Forward - Orange

3) Stand Up - Red

4) Stand-down - Green Activation of a local Incident Control Centre or local Forward Control Centre to a specific threat is the responsibility of a lead agency. The majority of emergency incidents will be dealt with by the appropriate agency using its frontline response capabilities. When time permits consultation with the M-F Group Chair and the M-F Disaster Management Group will be undertaken by the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator (LDC) and the lead agency prior to activation. The following table describes the actions which occur during activation.

Table 1.1 - Activation Actions

Event Action undertaken Responsibility

Emergency occurs or event is imminent

• Individual citizens (community members who are available to assist) or local agencies respond

• M-F Group alerted

Individual citizens, local SES, QPS, RFS etc.

Event escalates in scale or intensity

• Incident Control Centre (ICC) established

• M-F Group requested to lean forward / stand up in part or in full

• M-F Group will work with lead agency in responding to

Incident Controller

Sunshine Coast LDC informed

Chair M-F Group


particular event

• Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Control Centre (LDCC) may lean forward (to monitor isolated event) or will be activated

LDC, Mayor etc

Event escalates further in scale or intensity

• M-F Group requested to be established in full in its operational centre

• LDCC activated

• Full activation of members in coordination centres and synchronised use of resources to respond to events

Incident Controller or Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator

Chair of M-F Group, Chair of LDCC or DDCC

Event is under control, subsides or emergency passes

• LDCC maintains listening watch, monitors recovery efforts

• M-F Group provides specialist knowledge for recovery efforts

• M-F Group advised to stand down

Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator

Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator kept informed of recovery progress

Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator

Activation of, and advice by, the M-F Group needs to be in the context of standardised emergency procedures and respectful of the lead agency’s priorities and LDMG’s guidance.

The activation triggers for a response can include a request received by either the District Disaster Coordinator or from a lead agency.

The activation of a lead agency’s Incident Control Centre will not automatically trigger the activation of the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan or Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordination Centre or the District Disaster Management Plan or District Disaster Coordination Centre. However the lead agency is to advise the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordinator and the District Disaster Coordinator when an Incident Control Centre has been established.

It will be up to each responsible agency to determine the circumstance and triggers which require an escalated response. Activation triggers are contained at Section 5.4., Table 5.4.3 and Appendix A.1 of the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan. It is also detailed at Appendix A.2 of the District Operational Plan.


Table 1.2 - Actions and Expectations (not necessarily sequential) during Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery (PPRR)

Phase Actions or Expectations

Prevention • Invite community to attend regular meetings to raise community awareness

• M-F Group members trained in PPRR procedures

• M-F Group members to update specific components (community assets, capacity tables, potential risks and hazards, safe routes, persons at risk, communications network) of M-F Community Disaster Management Plan

• Community education about M-F Community Disaster Management Plan and Disaster Management Arrangements

Preparedness • M-F Group members updated on content of Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan

• M-F Group to play an advisory role by using their local and expert knowledge to enhance the M-F Community Disaster Management Plan

• M-F Group members exercised to upgrade their skills in coordination of resources and reporting of events

• Communication modes and networks evaluated, Telephone Tree to M-F Group tested

• Media messages drafted for different events

Response • Refer to table 1.1 for activation actions

• M-F Group initiates actions with local emergency service providers

• Roster activated for near continuous operations of ICC or M-F Group operations centre

• M-F Group to work within standardised emergency procedures and with lead agency’s priorities

• M-F Group to comply with guidance from the ICC or the LDCC

• M-F Group to play an advisory role by using their local and expert knowledge to enhance the response actions

• M-F Group align their actions and daily routine with the timeframes established with the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Coordination Centre

• M-F Group to provide specific local knowledge about community assets, potential risks and hazards, safe routes, persons at risk etc from the community’s perspective

• LDCC to provide guidance and expert advice to the M-F Group members, but should not expect them to undertake 24 hour operations


• M-F Group (through the Chair) to give the LDCC regular updates via a shortened version of situation report (SITREP)

• All media to seek updates from Chair M-F Group or Chair LDMG. Each agency to activate its own media protocols

Recovery • LDC or LDMG to advise M-F Group when recovery actions are underway or in the final transition to business as usual

• LDCC to maintain leadership and guidance in directing recovery resources, based on advice from the M-F Group’s intimate knowledge of the community’s needs

• M-F Group to play an essential role in debriefs and after action reviews after the event has concluded

• M-F Group to participate in disaster management plan reviews and amendments. See paragraph 12

The LDCC should be aware that some M-F Group members may be affected by the event and not available for immediate advice or consultation.

11. Governance

The M-F Group will liaise with council’s Community Resilience Officer to regularly update and report on disaster management arrangements and any recommendations within the local area and the Community Resilience Officer will provide these updates and recommendations to the regular LDMG meetings. The M-F Group will report on any other matters that may arise from time to time.

An attendance register of M-F Group members will be completed to assist to conform to appropriate standards of governance.

12. Exercising and review

From time to time the M-F Group will, as necessary, review and amend its Plan. Any amendments will be required to be endorsed by the LDMG. The M-F Community Disaster Management Plan will be reviewed at least on an annual basis or whenever deemed necessary due to:

a. a major incident or natural disaster occurring,

b. changes to state and local disaster management arrangements,

c. changes to Sunshine Coast Council structures, or

d. changes to disaster management policies or legislation

It is the intention of the M-F Group to exercise the plan on an annual basis.

13. Methods and modes of communication

Urgent disaster information is to be delivered to all members of the local Mapleton Flaxton community as soon as possible. This is done through a variety of means:


• local disaster information (in the form of free form text or a local SITREP) is prepared by the M-F Community Group and forwarded to a nominated officer of the Sunshine Coast LDMG

• LDMG SITREPs are forwarded to the Mapleton-Flaxton Group • a broadcast is immediately sent through the Early Warning Network

emergency communication system. If the message is to be sent via landline, the system sends a voice message to the telephone numbers of registered billing addresses found in that designated area. If the message is sent to mobile phones, then the SMS message is sent via a mobile phone tower closest to the GPS location of the mobile phone.

For the purposes of any Alert, Lean Forward, Stand Up and Stand Down activation notice issued by the Group Chair to members and or advisors, the preferred means of communications between all members and advisors shall be in order of priority:

• where possible by text to mobile/smartphone contact using WHISPIR • A Mapleton-Flaxton Group community email using the MADCA database • by telephone message or mobile phone text • by direct person to person contact

Mobile phone/landline plus email contact details are to be updated regularly and at least bi-annually.

Community recipients are to be informed that all of these means of communications, together with noticeboards located at several prominent locations in and around Mapleton, shall be utilised to ensure our local community is kept informed of necessary disaster information updates.

The Chair of the M-F Group should acquire, utilise and maintain a back - up memory stick and back up device for all mobile phone and email contacts.

The M-F Group distributes disaster related messages and information to MADCA to distribute to noticeboards and interest groups such as Rural Fire Service, Community Library, Mapleton Bowls Club, BP/IGA, Mapleton State School, and Qld Conference and Camping Centre.

14. Local awareness and promotion For the purposes of promoting local awareness of community disaster plans and to improve the building of local community resilience to deal with the extreme weather and natural disasters, the M-F Group shall:- • use the Sunshine Valley Gazette or the Hinterland Times publications for feature

articles • use LDMG and Queensland Get Ready literature • use the Council disaster websites at http://disaster.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

15. Registration or evacuation centre support The provision of ongoing support for those who are victims of the event or incident is primarily through the registration or evacuation centre if established in Mapleton. These are identified in Appendix 1. Centres are classified as:


• Level 1 - Council operated

• Level 2 - community centres

• Level 3 - commercial facilities

• Level 4 - education facilities

Specific details of all centres for the Sunshine Coast region are held by the LDC and LDMG Community Liaison Officer. Within Mapleton and Flaxton, the State School or the Bowls Club are the preferred choices for evacuation centres. As they are not Council assets, this requires negotiation and discussion. Centres can provide only basic needs including:

• food and clean water

• showering and toilet facilities if available, though they may be limited

• personal hygiene items, limited access to clothing and bedding

• baby needs such as nappies and formula

• access to other support agencies

16. Out of area accommodation arrangements Residents or tourists transported to Nambour, other Sunshine Coast areas or Brisbane for sheltering would need to be accommodated under a modified reception plan managed by the respective Disaster District and other local government Local Disaster Management Groups.

17. Security and crime prevention Police are responsible for the security of areas impacted by the event including the security of any damaged premises. Police are responsible for establishing any road blocks of impacted areas to minimise traffic congestion as well as security. DTMR, council FCC staff and private traffic controllers have an MOU to assist with this task through negotiation of the nearest set of assets to the road closures and for the provision of signs.

Summary

This disaster management plan for the Mapleton Flaxton area draws on the principles and practices in the main Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Plan and seeks to prepare for the unique risks to this specific community.

It has been developed by drawing on the local knowledge and expertise found within the Mapleton and Flaxton area and within the various emergency response agencies. The establishment of a Mapleton-Flaxton community disaster management plan provides a basis for self-reliance and resilience during a major event. It also demonstrates effective local input into all aspects of disaster preparedness, prevention, response and recovery and fosters the strengths of natural social networks and potential community leaders in the Mapleton Flaxton area.


Appendices:

1. Map of Mapleton-Flaxton region

2. Asset and Capacity Register

3. Emergency Contact List (for public use)

4. Hazards, Hot Spots and Risk Table

5. Role Description (Chair and Deputy Chair)

6. Contact Flow Chart (not for public distribution)

mapleton!*!flaxton! community!! disaster!management! plan! · pdf file01/10/2015 ·...

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