Emergency management

Content: Wollongong Local Emergency Management Committee | Wollongong Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) | Preparing for emergencies | What to do if an emergency occurs | Our After Hours Emergency Service

Emergency situations, either natural or human caused, are a regular feature of life in Australia. The more common hazards are floods, severe storms and bush fires, but other events such as exotic animal disease and earthquakes are possible.  Most incidents are handled using standard procedures, for example, generally urban fires are the responsibility of the NSW Fire Brigades but bush or grass fires are the responsibility of the Rural Fire Service; and the SES is the agency for floods, severe storms and tsunamis.  However, if an event requires a significant and coordinated response, then this is termed an ‘emergency’.

Wollongong Local Emergency Management Committee
Wollongong City Council (as the local government authority) is actively involved in emergency management programs and arrangements.  There is a Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) whose role it is to prepare plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the City of Wollongong.  It is made up of senior representatives from each emergency service agency (eg NSW Police, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW Rural Fire Service) and representatives from organisations providing services in functional areas (eg, Agriculture & Animal Services).  It is chaired by a senior representative of the Council with executive support provided by a Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO).  The responsibilities of this Committee include such activities as emergency risk management, multi-agency training and exercises, and supporting combat agency public education programs.

Wollongong Disaster Plan (DISPLAN)
Agreements and arrangements between the different agencies involved in Emergency Management are documented in plans.  These plans are then endorsed by the appropriate Emergency Management Committee.  The Wollongong Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) is the document outlining the agreed roles and responsibilities of agencies in the City of Wollongong local government area.  It is active at all times, and the arrangements contained in it apply permanently.

In addition to the DISPLAN, there are SUB PLANS (which address specific hazards) and SUPPORTING PLANS (which outline arrangements for groups of agencies which may be acting in a supporting role).

Sub Plans are produced by the authority with the primary responsibility for responding to the particular threat, for example, the Wollongong Local Flood Plan is produced by the State Emergency Service.  Supporting Plans are produced by the relevant Functional Area Sub Committee such as the Landslip Action Plan.

Preparing for emergencies
There are some important steps that you can take to prepare yourself, your family or your household for an emergency.  These include:

• Involving your family or household by deciding in advance how family members will stay in touch in the event of, or after, an emergency.  Agreeing on how you will contact each other if not at home, who will collect children from school, who will check on elderly or disabled neighbours.  Organise an out-of-town person your family can contact in case you are separated and make a list of that person’s contact details and provide them to your workplace or your children’s school.  Make arrangements for pets.
• Store important documents safely (eg wills, passports, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, etc) in a fire and water-proof container or safe deposit box.
• Make a record of your local emergency telephone numbers (eg SES, local council, gas, electricity, water, etc) and keep them near your phone.  Remember to dial 000 for Police, Fire and Ambulance.
• Learn some basic first aid.
• Find out about emergency plans, eg your children’s schools, your workplace, your apartment building.
• Prepare an emergency kit and keep it handy.  It should include a battery-operated radio (with spare batteries); a torch (with spare batteries), candles and waterproof matches; a first aid kit; medications, toiletry and sanitary supplies; special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities; spare clothes and sleeping equipment including strong shoes, broad brimmed hat, leather gloves and sunscreen for each household member; a mobile phone, spare battery and charger; strong plastic bags (for clothing, valuables, documents and photographs); extra car and house keys; contact details of your agreed out-of-town contact; playing cards or games.

What to do if an emergency occurs
If an emergency occurs, there are a number of things you can do:

• Call 000 and request attendance by emergency services, eg for a fire.  Do not assume others will do this.
• Seek reliable information about what is happening and advice from emergency services.  This information may be provided by an emergency services person at the scene, via radio or television.  ABC Illawarra 97.3 is your local emergency broadcaster and it is advisable to stay tuned for any announcements.
• Do not call 000 for information, as the operator will not be able to provide it.
• Call your out-of-town contact.
• Check on neighbours, especially those who are elderly or disabled or who may not understand English well.
• You may be advised to stay in your house or to evacuate – in either case, follow the advice given.
• Should evacuation be advised, remember to take all your prescribed medications with you.
• Check for any damage to your home, including fires and gas leaks, and shut off electricity, gas and water, if necessary.
• Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches.

Wollongong City Council After Hours Emergency Service
Should a resident encounter a matter that is considered a threat to life or property outside of normal business hours (ie between 5pm and 9am Monday to Fridays or on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays) they should ring Council’s answering service provider on 4227 9920 and leave clear details about the problem together with their name and contact phone number.

A rostered Council officer will take the necessary action to make the situation safe.