DCS embraces social media p6 SES Week 2011 p8 QFRS tries on ...

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Promoting best practice had the pleasure of attending the KJM I Education and Research Foundation’s annual Patron’s Day Clinical Symposium and Dinner in Brisbane on November 9. KJM Patron’s Day promotes research and best practice in ambulance services, and this year’s clinical symposium featured several informative presentations within the theme of ‘Trauma, Tragedy and Triage’. Patron’s Day also marked the awarding of the KJM Education and Research Grants for <strong>2011</strong>. The grants encourage innovative research designed to improve clinical practice, education or operational systems within the QAS, and I congratulate this year’s winners. On 10 November I hosted the QAS Managers’ Forum, which is an opportunity for managers and supervisors who came to Brisbane for Patron’s Day to come together as a leadership group to discuss operational and strategic matters. Both the Managers’ Forum and Patron’s Day are important events in the QAS calendar, and I would like to pass on my thanks to all those involved in making these <strong>2011</strong> events successful. As we move into another storm and cyclone season, disaster management and mass casualty education were the subjects of a workshop for QAS senior executives on 26-27 October. Featuring presentations from key organisations such as <strong>QFRS</strong>, Queensland Health, Queensland Police and the QUT School of Public Health, as well as desktop exercises, the workshop was the first step in a larger training package to be rolled out across QAS. As part of the Queensland Disaster Management Training Framework, EMQ has developed an awareness package on the new Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements. The awareness package has been sent to all QAS personnel and contains essential information for all officers. I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas season. On behalf of QAS senior executives, my thanks go to all staff for their efforts this year as we look forward to a busy 2012. I encourage you all to remain attentive and focused on safety to ensure a happy and restful holiday period for everyone, and a very quiet time for our frontline officers. Russell Bowles ASM QAS Commissioner Operation Abel in action An integral part of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s (<strong>QFRS</strong>) planning and preparation for the summer’s severe weather season came into effect on 1 December with the commencement of Operation Abel. Running until at least 31 March next year, Abel marks the first time <strong>QFRS</strong> has declared an operational period covering the months of expected storm and cyclone activity across our state. It confirms that we will use all our resources to support our <strong>DCS</strong> colleagues and local government authorities, and protect life, property and the environment. Central to the declaration of Operation Abel is the adoption of a Severe Weather Alert Level (SWAL) protocol. Similar to the protocol we have for bushfire, the SWAL provides an internal alert mechanism for <strong>QFRS</strong> staff to ensure they are ready to respond to severe weather events that may occur over the coming months. A key focus of this period of heightened awareness will be the lessons learned from last summer’s disasters and the ensuing Floods Commission of Inquiry. By the end of November <strong>QFRS</strong> had exceeded its target for training new Swiftwater Rescue technicians, as specified in the Department’s response to the Floods Commission of Inquiry interim recommendations. We have also introduced a new Swiftwater Level 2 Operator qualification, which sits between the existing Swiftwater Level 1 and Level 2 Technician competencies. I call on <strong>QFRS</strong> staff and volunteers to work collaboratively and cooperatively with other emergency services agencies throughout this operational period, and continue to build solid relationships with local government authorities. We need to stay tuned in to the weather forecasts and the broader situation in our local areas, and be ready to offer our capabilities to assist with any weather-related emergencies that may arise. In the meantime, I would like to wish all <strong>QFRS</strong> staff and volunteers a very happy, safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year period, and thank you all for your hard work and unstinting dedication over the past year. Lee Johnson AFSM MIFireE <strong>QFRS</strong> Commissioner A sincere show of thanks The events of last summer provided clear evidence that our <strong>SES</strong> volunteers continue to excel when their communities need them the most. More than 7000 <strong>SES</strong> volunteers serve Queensland’s communities, and there is no doubt they are generous with their time. In the past year they have provided more than 175 000 hours of operational service responding to major events including Cyclone Yasi in the far north and the devastating floods across the state. With these disasters still fresh in the minds of most Queenslanders, <strong>SES</strong> <strong>Week</strong> – the national celebration of the dedication and commitment of <strong>SES</strong> volunteers – took on a special significance this year. <strong>SES</strong> <strong>Week</strong> <strong>2011</strong> was held from 5-13 November, beginning with an official launch in Gatton. Regional award ceremonies recognising the contribution and efforts of our volunteers were held around Queensland during the week, culminating in a celebratory service and state awards presentation on Sunday 13 November at the Kedron Park Complex. I would like to congratulate the <strong>2011</strong> State Award winners: Sharyn Kilby from Bundaberg <strong>SES</strong> Unit received the Minister’s Cup for Member of the Year; Warwick <strong>SES</strong> Unit won the Director-General’s Cup as Unit/ Group of the Year; and Cairns <strong>SES</strong> Group was honoured with the Executive Director’s Shield for the Operational Response of the Year. These worthy award recipients show our <strong>SES</strong> volunteers are always ready and willing to help – whether that means responding to storm and flood damage emergencies, supporting other emergency services or assisting their communities to prepare for disasters. The state award ceremony also gave us an opportunity to thank our interstate and international counterparts for the assistance they provided during the severe weather events of early <strong>2011</strong>. Early indications are that Queensland is set to be spared a repeat of last summer’s horrific weather, but it is imperative we remain vigilant and prepared to respond to whatever Mother Nature has in store. My heartfelt thanks go to all our staff and volunteers for their efforts in <strong>2011</strong>, and I wish everyone a happy, relaxing – and most importantly – safe Christmas and New Year period. Bruce Grady EMQ Assistant Director-General 4 Emergency December <strong>2011</strong> www.communitysafety.qld.gov.au
IBM thanked for disaster donation IBM has been officially recognised for donating more than $2 million worth of computer equipment and infrastructure that helped <strong>DCS</strong> manage last summer’s statewide flood and cyclone disasters. Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts presented IBM executives with special awards to thank the company during a ceremony at the Kedron Park Complex on 14 October. Mr Roberts said IBM was one of many private sector companies who made significant contributions of time and equipment to assist the disaster response and longer term rebuilding effort. ‘Disaster management operations rely on high quality information and communications technology (ICT) services to facilitate the flow of information that informs planning and response activities,’ he said. ‘During the floods and Cyclone Yasi, these systems were subject to excessive periods of high workload that put their capacity to the ultimate test. ‘Working with <strong>DCS</strong>, IBM identified the need for additional capacity for disaster management systems, along with a need Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts (left) with IBM’s John Kimlin and Bob Morton to create higher levels of resilience to ensure maximum availability of critical services when they are most required. ‘IBM’s donation of more than $2 million worth of equipment and professional services helped to modernise the ICT infrastructure supporting disaster management in Queensland. ‘The donation also enabled the implementation of new disaster recovery Get disaster-ready online capabilities to minimise the time needed to recover disaster management ICT systems in the event of a major failure. ‘These two awards – one for the local team and one for IBM’s international head office that approved the donation – are tokens of our appreciation for their significant support and commitment to making a difference to Queenslanders,’ Mr Roberts said. Volunteering Queensland has launched an interactive, online checklist to help Queenslanders get prepared for natural disasters ahead of the cyclone, storm and flood season. The Disaster Readiness Index (DRI) is an online tool designed to measure an individual’s level of preparedness and generate a personalised improvement guide or list of steps they need to take to become more emergency-ready. To promote the DRI Volunteering Queensland has also launched Queensland’s One Million Stars Challenge. As individuals complete the DRI checklist, a star rating is generated and added to the state’s total. Volunteering Queensland aims to have Queenslanders complete the Disaster Readiness Index and collectively reach a target of a million stars across the state. Contribute to the Million Stars Challenge by taking the Disaster Readiness Index: www.emergencyvolunteering.com. au/home/knowledge/readiness-index – Krathyn White www.communitysafety.qld.gov.au Emergency December <strong>2011</strong> 5
Page 1 and 2: December 2011 A pu
Page 3: Peers award QAS for management prac
Page 7 and 8: Connect with us online Facebook www
Page 9 and 10: The devastating cyclones and floods
Page 11 and 12: elationships with major partner NRM
Page 13 and 14: Paramedics award Brisbane young her
Page 15 and 16: QFRS triathlon dea
Page 17 and 18: A hero discount for SES</st
Page 19 and 20: The increasing number of large-scal
Page 21 and 22: Most of the tunnels over 1500m have
Page 23 and 24: Safety in focus as DCS</str
Page 25 and 26: An innovative collaboration between
Page 27 and 28: Paramedics test post-cyclone capabi
Page 29 and 30: It’s a wrap for RAAP 2011
Page 31: A dvanced Care Paramedic Keara Baco

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