Vol. 2 Issue 1. 2017

Summer 2016 VOL 2
WHEN WILL IT RAIN?
NATURAL
DISASTERS
AFFECT OUR
MOST
VULNERABLE
SUMMER
FESTIVAL
SURVIVAL
GUIDE
FIRESTORMS
What you
need to
know
SUBSTANCE
ABUSE AND
FAMILY
VIOLENCE

Mate helping Mate
Neighbour helping Neighbour
People helping People
132 500 Fact Sheet
For emergency help in floods and storms
Need emergency help in floods and storms?
If you need the assistance of the State Emergency Service in
non-life threatening emergency situations during floods and
storms, you can:
• Call 132 500; or
• Lodge a request here: www.132500.qld.gov.au; Or
• Lodge a request on our 132 500 SES Assistance App available
for both Apple and Android devices.
SES volunteers help protect people and properties from storms
in QLD by:
• Educating people about how to protect their family and
property from floods and storms
• Temporarily repairing properties from further hail, heavy
rain or strong wind
• Clearing roads and property to give emergency access
• Rescuing people trapped or injured by flood or storm activity
• Providing emergency assistance in flood situations
??How can I help??
R Use a BUCKET to capture leaking water
R MOVE furniture from under leaks
R Internally TARP furniture
R SANDBAG entry points to your
house/business
R HELP your neighbours
R HELP your family
Handy Hints
P SES volunteers carry
out temporary repairs in
emergency situations
P Property owners should
seek professional trades
people to permanently
repair any damage caused
by storms or floods
P It is the responsibility of
the landowner to remove the
debris from their property
Call
132 500
Australia
Wide!
If your emergency
is life threatening
call 000 (triple zero)
For more information, contact us as per below:
© State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) 2016
All Queensland Fire and Emergency Services material in this document – except any material protected by a trademark, and
unless otherwise noted – is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
www.ses.qld.gov.au

CONTENTS
Editor’s Note
Latest Events
• Police recognised for
commitment & service
• New Sapol App
launched
Emergency Kit Essentials
Firestorms
NSW Police support
CrashCard
Bushfire - Prepare before
the season
Natural Disasters affect
the disadvantaged
Managing Stress after
Disaster
Alcohol & drug use
exacerbate family
violence
Surviving Summer
Festivals
Ecotide - Bushfire event
planning
1
2
4
5-6
7-8
9
11-14
15-18
19-20
20-22
24-26
27
The Australian Emergency Services Magazine is a community educational
resource and does not promote itself as a charity or fund raising institution,
nor solicit on behalf of charities and is no way financially supported by
or associated with any government or similar institution. Distributions of
the publication is Quarterly and are circulated via a database of interested
parties, including business, subscribers, advertisers, volunteer emergency
organistations, and council library’s. A digital eMag is distributed to a
targeted database in each State & Territory. All information published in
the Australian Emergency Services Magazine is in good faith and whilst
every effort is made to ensure that the publication is free of error and
omission, no responsibility or liability will be accepted by Boothbook Pty
Ltd.
Emergency Contacts
Apps to help in emergency
30
31
Published by Boothbook Media
ABN:72 605 987 031
www.boothbookmedia.com.au
Email: contact@boothbookmedia.com.au

EDITORS NOTE
Welcome to Volume 2 of our
Summer edition for 2016 and isn’t
Summer well and truly upon us?
The Christmas holiday rush
and a new year just around the
corner has everyone trying to
find the balance between relaxing,
recharging and getting some
things done while we have a break.
We hope you are managing to do
this successfully!
It has been yet another eventful
beginning of the summer storm
season with many communities
taking a battering and our
emergency services volunteers
being on the ready.
In the southern parts of the
country they have seen snow
whilst in the red centre, Uluru is
teeming with majestic rainfalls
after a deluge of rain fell in central
Australia over the last week that
has left communities isolated.
However there are still many
communities doing it tough and
asking the question, When will
it rain? Scouring the bureau and
checking long range forcasts for
any sign of that liquid gold to feed
crops and livestock.
The diversity of conditions and
community needs our emergency
services contend with across this
great country of ours couldnt be
more on display than they have
during the first month of Summer.
It is a perfect opportunity to
say thank you to those men and
women who work tirelessly within
our emergency services, many of
whom are at the front line, facing
personal dangers in order to
protect and keep us safe.
We hope you have enjoyed time
with loved ones over Christmas
and are looking forward to a
happier, healthier, safer and more
prosperous 2017.
From all of us here at the
Australian Emergency Services
Magazine we wish you a Happy
New Year!
Emma Parker
Editor
1

RECOGNITION OF
COMMITMENT AND
SERVICE
LATEST NEWS
Minister for Police, Fire and
Emergency Services Mark Ryan and
Commissioner Ian Stewart have
congratulated Queensland Police
Service (QPS) officers and staff who
received medals and awards at a
ceremony held at Police Headquarters
in Brisbane today.
The ceremony included the 2016
Adopt-a-Cop awards, with the
Adopt-a-Cop program involving
the voluntary appointment of police
officers to schools and other relevant
organisations with the primary goal of
building positive relationships between
police and members of the school
community.
The overall Adopt-a-Cop of the Year
award went to Constable Stephen
Armstrong from the Fernvale
State School, where he has been
instrumental in building police, school
and community relations in a short
period. His determined efforts in
implementing programs and continued
support have actively promoted the
values and beliefs of both the school
and the QPS.
Officers from each of the five regions
were recognised, with Constable
Armstrong nominated from the
Southern Region.
Also awarded for his conscientious
efforts was Senior Constable Wade
Hastie from the Northern Region, for
his consistent preparedness to achieve
more than the role usually entails at the
Ravenswood State School.
Inspector Grant Marcus received the
award for his valuable work at St Luke’s
Anglican School in the Central Region,
where he has advocated a multitude
of safety, education and counselling
programs over his 15 years as an
Adopt-a-Cop.
Senior Constable Troy Hews from the
Brisbane Region received his regional
award for the positive relationships he
progressively developed with students
at Oakleigh State School, at both a
formal and in-formal level.
Constable Natalie Wilson received the
Adopt-a-Cop for the South Eastern
Region, where she works tirelessly at
Boronia Heights State School to break
down barriers that prevent positive
relationships between students and the
police. Commissioner Stewart praised
the efforts of all Adopt-a-Cops in
schools around the state.
“The outstanding level of dedication
pursued in volunteering for this
program highlights the exemplary core
values present in each of these officers,”
Commissioner Stewart said.
2

“The contribution of Adopt-a-Cops is
invaluable to the communities in which
they serve and to the Service.”
Police Minister Ryan presented 20
past and present officers with the
National Police Service Medal in
acknowledgement of their commitment
to ethical and diligent service. This
award recognises the special status
sworn police officers have because of
their role protecting the community.
The National Medal recognises 15
years of diligent service by members of
Australian police forces, defence forces,
and members of the ambulance and fire
services. Clasps to the National Medal
are awarded for a further period of 10
years’ service.
Police Minister Ryan presented Deputy
Commissioner Steve Gollschewski,
Deputy Commissioner Peter Martin,
Detective Inspector John James,
Inspector James Walsh.
Commissioner Stewart presented
Senior Sergeant John Goldsworthy with
his 40 year clasp to the QPS Medal and
Inspector Peter Assfalg and Ms Mary-
Lou Webster with their clasps for 35
years of dedicated service.
exemplary attributes as a member
of the Queensland Police Service,”
Commissioner Stewart said.
“It is through these awards today that
we acknowledge and thank them for
their dedication and diligence.
The Queensland Police Meritorious
Service Medal is awarded to a
QPSmember who has provided a
continued substantial contribution in
a number of areas within the QPS over
an extended period of time.
This medal was awarded to Ms Pamela
Furner, an Administration Officer who
has worked diligently with the Ethical
Standards Command for 17 years.
In this role, Ms Furner continually
performs her duties to a very high
standard, assisting investigating officers
and senior members of the Command
on a daily basis.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Pearce,
Senior Sergeant Mark Ruggeri and
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Toohey
with their 2nd Clasp of the National
Medal acknowledging 35 years’ service,
with a further nine officers receiving
their first clasp for 25 years’ service,
and 11 officers receiving the medal for
the first time for 15 years of dedicated
service. Today’s ceremony also saw
the Queensland Police Service Medal
presented to a number of officers and
staff members. The QPS Medal is an
award approved by the Commissioner
in recognition of diligent and ethical
service by QPS employees after 10 years
of full-time qualifying service.
Eight officers were awarded the
Queensland Police Service Medal for
the first time, with the medal awarded
posthumously to the Late Detective
Sergeant Leonard Hooper and the late
Commissioner Stewart acknowledged
the devotion and tireless effort of the
ceremony’s award recipients.
“Through the duration of their
careers each recipient has displayed
QPS Media
© State of Queensland (Queensland Police Service)
2016
3

SAPOL MOBILE PORTAL APP
LAUNCHED
A new “one stop” mobile portal app
was launched today by the South
Australia Police, bringing easier access
to key police apps through one portal.
Deputy Police Commissioner Linda
Williams says the new mobile portal
app means people will now only need
to download a single app to access
a range of specialist police apps and
information services.
“Police have a number of web-based
information services and apps that
provide the community with critical
services and information.
“The mobile portal app now provides
a single portal to download, that can
then be tapped to access other linked
icons, taking the user straight to the
service or information they are seeking.
“This “one stop” approach is designed
to help people save time and reduce
any confusion in getting to services
and information available across our
platforms.
“Providing a quick, responsive policing
service relies heavily on the timeliness
and accuracy of information we
receive. Any process that simplifies
and speeds up how people report
emergencies or information to us,
therefore also helps police.”
Services available through the mobile
portal app include calling the 131 444
police assistance line, with a map of the
caller’s current location displayed to
make it easier to check location details.
Triple Zero can also be called, with the
caller confirming it is an emergency
before the call proceeds.
Other apps accessible through the new
portal will help people report certain
crimes and track their crime reports,
find the nearest police station and even
check out where a fixed speed camera
is located.
Further, for all the latest police news,
the app provides a direct link to
SAPOL’s social media feeds and news
pages.
The mobile portal app is available free
from the Google Play Store and the
Apple App Store and is compatible
with devices using Apple iOS 7 version
and higher and the Android operating
system version 4 and higher.
What’s available through the mobile
portal app:
Police Assistance
Initiate a call to the Police Assistance
Line 131 444 - displays a map showing
the street details of user’s current
location.
Triple Zero
Initiates a call to the emergency triple
zero (000) number. Prior to the call
being made, a message is displayed
asking the user to confirm it is an
emergency.
Report suspicious behaviour
Submit an initial report to the Crime
Stoppers SA Online Reporting System
web page.
Track My Crime
A SAPOL developed web app, where
victims can check the progress of
their investigation by entering their
police incident report number and the
incident date.
Police social media
Opens a screen to navigate to one of
SAPOL’S social media feeds; Facebook,
Twitter or YouTube.
SAPOL News
Opens the SA Police News web page
in the device browser for all the latest
police news.
SAPOL website
Opens the main SA Police web page in
the device browser.
Find the nearest police station
Displays on a map the closest police
station to the user’s current location.
It is also possible to find and display
the location of a police station based on
suburb search criteria.
This feature is available even if the
device does not have access to the
internet.
Fixed speed camera locations
Displays on a map fixed safety cameras
located near the user’s current location.
It is also possible to find and display the
location of a fixed safety camera based
on suburb search criteria.
This feature is available even if the
device does not have access to the
internet.
Youth safety displays
Information on antisocial behaviour,
cyber safety, graffiti, school vandalism
and shop theft.
© South Australia Police, Government of South
Australia 2014
4

EMERGENCY KIT
ESSENTIALS
HAVING AN EMERGENCY KIT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO
PREPARE FOR, SURVIVE AND COPE WITH EMERGENCIES.
Know
All householders need to
know where your
Emergency Kit is kept.
On this page is a list of items which should be in your
kit at all times. There is also a list of extra items which
if you do not keep at all times you should add to your
kit during storm or cyclone season.
FOOD AND WATER
COMMUNICATIONS
Check
and update the contents
of your kit regularly, to
ensure everything is in
working order and has
not expired.
Discuss
your Emergency Kit
with all householders
and make sure everyone
knows what to do in an
emergency.
KNOW YOUR
EMERGENCY
CONTACTS
Range of non-perishable
MEDICAL AND
SANITATION
food items
Bottled water
First Aid Kit and manual
Essential medications,
prescriptions and dosage
Toilet paper
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Soap/shampoo
Personal hygiene items
LIGHT
Flashlight/torch with
extra batteries
Battery powered lantern
Battery powered radio with
extra batteries
Traditional wired telephone
Prepaid wired telephone
Prepaid phone cards and
coins for phone calls
CLOTHING AND
FOOTWEAR
Warm jumper, waterproof
jacket, hat and gloves
for everyone
Closed-toed shoes or
boots for everyone
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Whistle, utility knife,
duct/masking tape
5

Plastic garbage bags, ties
Safety glasses and sun glasses.
MISCELLANEOUS
Special items for infants
(nappies, formula etc)
Special items needed by
elderly or people with
special needs
Spare house and car keys
Pet food, water and
other animal needs
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Keep original or certified copies of
these documents in your Emergency
Kit.
Scan copies of them and save the
files on a USB memory stick or CD
to include in your kit. Keep all these
items in sealed plastic bags.
Insurance papers for your
house and contents, cars
and for valuable items
Inventory of valuable
household goods
Wills and life insurance documents
House deeds/mortgage documents
Birth and marriage certificates
Passports/visa details
Stocks and bonds
Medicare, pension cards,
immunisation records
Bank account and credit card details
A back-up copy of important
computer files
Household Emergency Plan with
emergency contact numbers
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD AN
EMERGENCY PLAN FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD GO TO:
www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/emergency-kit
6

FIRESTORMS
The bushfire/thunderstorm hybrids we
urgently need to understand
The journal Climatic Change has published a special edition of review
papers discussing major natural hazards in Australia. This article is
one of a series looking at those threats in detail.
Fire has been a driving force across
Australia for millennia. Indeed, the
health of many of our ecosystems is
intrinsically dependent on fire. But
bushfires are also one of our most
frequent natural hazards, with a total
cost estimated at A$340 million per
year.
In the past decade or so, extreme
bushfires in southeastern Australia
have burned more than a million
hectares, claiming more than 200 lives
and over 4,000 homes. Similar losses in
other major urban areas have prompted
questions about whether we are seeing
a shift towards a significantly more
hazardous fire regime, characterised by
increasing fire frequency and intensity,
and the development of catastrophic
“firestorms”.
While these extreme bushfires account
for only a very small percentage of fire
events, they are responsible for the
lion’s share of bushfire-related losses.
In contrast to typical bushfires, which
spread across the landscape as welldefined
burning fronts with smoke
plumes perhaps a few kilometres
high, extreme bushfires exhibit deep
and widespread flaming and produce
smoke plumes that can extend 10-
15km into the atmosphere.
At these altitudes, bushfire plumes can
actually develop into thunderstorms
(hence the term “firestorm”). As such,
extreme bushfires become much more
difficult for emergency services to
handle, making them all but impossible
to suppress and their spread difficult to
predict.
Beyond hot, dry and windy
Like other dangerous bushfires,
firestorms are driven by hot, dry
and windy weather. But to spawn a
firestorm, a range of other conditions
must also be met; these can include a
rugged landscape, particularly nasty
weather events that produce “spikes” in
fire danger, and conditions in the upper
atmosphere that allow fire plumes to
grow to considerable heights.
While previous studies have considered
past and projected changes in the hot,
dry and windy aspect of fire danger,
less research has been done on the
future projections for these other types
of conditions. This means that we have
quite a poor understanding of how
extreme bushfires might affect us in the
future.
As part of a series of reviews produced
by the Australian Energy and Water
Exchange initiative, my colleagues and
I have taken a closer look at the most
catastrophic bushfire cases and the
factors that drive them, beyond the
usual hot, dry and gusty weather.
There has been an overall increase
7

in the frequency of major bushfire
events in southeastern Australia since
the mid-19th century. In particular,
in the past 15 years a major fire event
has occurred every 5 years or less.
While some of this increase is due to
changes in land use since European
colonisation, there is also strong
evidence of climate-driven changes.
We found that besides increases
in dangerous surface fire danger
conditions, upper atmospheric
conditions have also become more
conducive to explosive fire growth.
High levels of the c-Haines index,
which signals greater potential for
a fire’s plume to rise high into the
atmosphere, have become considerably
more prevalent since the 1980s. The
effects of droughts and widespread
heatwaves have also contributed to the
occurrence of extreme bushfires.
Looking into the future, high c-Haines
values are projected to grow more
prevalent still, albeit more gradually
than over recent decades. Frontal
weather patterns associated with
particularly bad fire days are also
projected to become more frequent
during this century, and rainfall is
projected to decrease over southwest
and southeastern Australia.
All of this suggests that extreme
bushfires will become a more common
occurrence into the future.
What we still don’t know
Our methods for assessing fire danger
do not explicitly account for the effects
of extended drought and heatwaves on
larger fuel elements such as branches
and logs, and so may not properly
account for their effects on fire spread
and heat release into the atmosphere.
There is also considerable uncertainty
about how fuel loads will change into
the future. It is possible that the higher
fire intensities expected to result from
the direct effects of a warmer, drier
climate may be offset by lower fuel
loads.
Our understanding of extreme fire
occurrence is also hampered by the
lack of long-term and prehistoric
climate data, which makes it hard
to work out what the “normal” level
of extreme bushfires has been in the
past. While charcoal records show
promise in this regard, we still don’t
know enough about how charcoal is
generated, deposited and subsequently
preserved during extreme fires.
To predict the future occurrence of
extreme bushfires, we also have more
work to do in understanding how
the trends forecast by global climate
models will play out in terms of
creating regional-scale fire weather
conditions. And we still need to figure
out the likely effects of other large-scale
patterns such as El Niño.
Given the relatively recent advances
that have been made in understanding
the key drivers of extreme bushfires,
the field is now ready for targeted
studies that will help us estimate the
future risk of extreme bushfires – and
how best we can confront the threat.
_This article was amended on
November 11, 2016, to correct the
figure for the cost of bushfire-related
damage. The correct figure is A$340
million, not A$8.5 billion which is the
annual cost of all fire-related damage in
Australia.
Jason Sharples
UNSW Australia
Origianlly published on The Conversation
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8

THE CARD THAT CAN
SAVE LIVES
A crash card carrying personal
information can be stored by
motorcyclists in their helmets.
The NSW Police Force has thrown its
support behind
a simple initiative that could save
the lives of motorcyclists involved in
crashes.
The Motorcycle Crash Card is
a small card that motorcyclists
and their passengers can carry in
their helmets. The card provides
emergency service personnel with
the rider’s personal information,
which in the case of an accident could
save valuable time and help with
treatment, especially if the rider is
unconscious or unable
to communicate.
Commander of Traffic & Highway
Patrol, Assistant Commissioner
John Hartley praised the initiative,
pointing out that of the 206
people who lost their lives on the
road in the first half of 2016, 30 were
motorcyclists.
“There are more than one million
people riding motorcycles each
week and far too
many people are
losing their lives,” he said. “If
Motorcycle Crash Cards save one
life, the scheme will have proved
worthwhile.
“While safe riding and wearing
proper clothing greatly reduces
their chances of being involved in a
crash, but if that does happen, this
is a simple step they can take that
could save their life or help with their
treatment.”
The Motorcycle Crash Card scheme
was first created in 2009 by a
paramedic in the UK and has been
produced in NSW by Hornsby Shire
Council with support from the NSW
Police Force, NSW Ambulance and
Fire & Rescue NSW.
The rider completes the details on
the card and places it in the lining of
their helmet. A red sticker is placed
on the outside of the
helmet to alert emergency services, in
the case of an accident, that there is a
card within the helmet.
The information contained on
the card can be vital to attending
paramedics and can include the
rider’s current medical history and
details of any medication currently
being taken. It also has space for the
contact details of a next of kin, which
is important given a rider’s phone is
often locked or can be damaged, and
their wallet can be
easily be separated from the rider in
the event of a crash.
However, Assistant Commissioner
Hartley warned that the cards are
designed to be used by medical
professionals only.
“You should never try to remove
someone’s helmet at the scene
of a crash unless they are having
trouble breathing,” he said.
Riders can order the crash card
online free of charge on the Hornsby
Shire Council website.
‘© State of New South Wales (NSW Police Force).
For current information go to Crash Card
9

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10

PREPARE BEFORE THE SEASON
Getting ready for a bush fire is easier than you think. By taking 20 minutes
with your family to discuss what you’ll do during a fire, you could save their
lives, as well as your home. Many households find that having a discussion
over dinner works best as everybody is together and focussed. There are
simple things you can do around your home to prepare it for a bush fire, like
keeping the grass low and having a cleared area around your home. If there is
a fire in your area you will find its alert level on your local government website
or the ‘Fires Near Me’ app. You need to keep track of the alert level so you
know what you should do. In a bush fire, it’s important that you stay up to date
on conditions in your area.
ARE YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY AT
RISK?
WHAT WILL YOU
DO TO KEEP
SAFE?
QUESTIONS TO ASK
YOURSELF
When will we leave?
Where will we go?
How will we get there?
What will we take?
Who will we call to tell that we’re
leaving and that we have arrived
safely?
11
What is our backup plan?
Neighbourhood Safe Places are a
place of last resort, such as a sports
ground or local building that has
been specially identified for use
during a fire.
Contact your local area to find out
about neighbourhood safe places.
LEAVING EARLY OR PREPARING TO STAY?
One of the most important things to do before a bush fire is to decide what
you’ll do if one should start.
If you plan to leave for a safer place - where will you go and how will you get
there? Your safer place could be with friends and family, and may not be far
away. Know where you will go and never ‘wait and see’.
Decide to stay only if you are well prepared. Before you start, ask your
household:
• Is your home well prepared to make it as safe as possible during a fire?
• Are we putting anyone in our family at risk by staying?
For example children, the elderly, or people with asthma.
• Will we cope in an emergency situation? In a fire, it will be hot, smoky and
physically draining. Even trained firefighters can find it challenging.
If you’re not sure or aren’t prepared, you should leave early.

IF YOU DECIDE TO
STAY ASK THESE
QUESTIONS
Do we have all the equipment we
need?
When there is a fire, what is our
sign to start defending our home?
Do we know what to do
BEFORE, DURING and AFTER
a fire?
It’s not safe to stay with your property under some circumstances, like:
• If the fire danger rating is Catastrophic.
• There is an Extreme fire danger rating and your home is not specially designed
or constructed for bush fires.
• Your property is not well maintained.
• You or the people in your home aren’t mentally and physically fit and ready.
Under these circumstances, you should leave early.
Remember that bush and grass fires can move quickly and catch you off guard.
If you are caught in a fire, protect yourself from the heat.
The safest option is to leave early before the fire reaches you.
DECIDE TO STAY, BUT BE PREPARED
Defending your home from a bush fire can be challenging and you will need
the right equipment. Check off all the equipment you will need in a bush fire
emergency.
Remember, while firefighters and emergency services will do everything they
can to help you, there’s no guarantee that there will be a fire truck available
when you need it. If you decide to stay with your property, it’s your responsibility
to be prepared.
Do all members of our household
KNOW WHAT TO DO in all
situations?
What is our backup plan?
PREPARE YOUR BUSHFIRE
SURVIVAL PLAN
All state government websites
have downloadable copies of
bushfire survival plans. These
guides will give you checklists
and points of discussion to go
over with your household. It is
important that all members of
the house understand what is
in the survival plan and what
the back up plan is. This could
help save lives and your property
during this bushfire season.
Look up bushfire safety on your
state government website to find
out more.
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT WE WILL NEED:
[ ] A hose, or hoses, that can reach all around the house
[ ] Water supply of at least 10,000L e.g. water tank, dam, pool
[ ] Petrol/diesel water pump and fuel in a safe, accessible place
[ ] Ladders to access inside the roof
[ ] Buckets and mops
[ ] Shovels and metal rakes
12

PREPARING YOUR
HOME
Block up areas where embers
can enter the house
Install metal fly screens on all
windows and vents
Install metal gutter guards
Position gas cylinders on side
of house and
away from trees and gardens
Direct any pressure valves
away from house
Move garden beds away from
house
Replace wood fences with
metal fences
Use stones instead of mulch
[ ] Wide-brimmed hat
[ ] Eye protection goggles
[ ] Moistened facemask or cloth
[ ] Loose, long sleeved cotton shirt
[ ] Gloves
[ ] Long cotton pants/jeans
[ ] Sturdy leather shoes or boots
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
DECIDE TO STAY, BUT BE PREPARED Cont.
ACTION CHECKLIST
Defending your home can be physically and mentally demanding. It’s important
that everyone knows exactly what to do if a fire happens.
OUTSIDE:
BEFORE (well before the fire has arrived)
Turn off gas mains and/or bottle
Move flammable items away from the house
Block drain pipes with socks full of sand and fill gutters with water. Don’t get
on the roof to hose it down
Move animals to a well-grazed or ploughed area away from the house and
wind
Patrol the house well before the fire arrives to put out embers and spot fires
As the fire approaches, wet the side of the house and garden that faces the fire
Move your firefighting equipment to a place where it won’t burn inside
INSIDE:
Close doors, windows and vents
Fill baths, sinks, buckets and bins with water
Confine pets to one room
Place ladder next to roof access hole so you can check for spot fires
Soak towels and rugs
and lay them across external doorways
Move furniture away from windows
DURING (as the fire is upon you)
If flames are on top of you or the heat become unbearable move inside until
the fire front has passed (usually 5-10 minutes)
Patrol the inside of the house, including roof space, looking for sparks and
embers
Shelter in a room on the opposite side of the house from the approaching fire
and ensure you have clear access to an exit
13


AFTER (immediately after the fire has passed)
Check the house both inside and out for fires, including roof cavity, under the
house, deck, stairs, windowsills etc
If possible, and safe to do so, check all your neighbours are OK
Contact relatives or friends to tell them you are safe
Patrol your home for several hours, looking for small fires and burning embers

PREPARE YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY
There are some simple things you can do around your home to prepare it for a
bush fire. You need to prepare well beforehand as leaving it to the last minute
is too late.
Here are five simple things you can do before and during the bush fire season.
1. TRIM
Trim overhanging trees and shrubs. This can stop the fire spreading to your
home.
2. MOW
Mow grass and remove the cuttings. Have a cleared area around your home.
3. REMOVE
Remove material that can burn around your home (e.g. Door mats, wood
piles, mulch, leaves, paint, outdoor furniture).
4. CLEAR
Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your
home. Burning embers can set your home on fire.
5. PREPARE
Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home. Make
sure you’ve got a reliable source of water.
KNOW YOUR RISK
A bush or grass fire can happen at any time of the year but the risk is
higher during the warmer months, when bush, grass or scrub is drier.
You don’t have to live right near the bush to be at risk. Even if your
home is a few streets back, you may be at risk.
You can check for bush fire prone areas in your area on your local council
website. Look for your Bush Fire Prone Land Map.
PREPARE YOUR RURAL
PROPERTY
Remove overhanging branches
from power lines
Ensure that a fire tanker can
access your property
Clear fire breaks along paddock
boundaries
Store petrol, diesel and gas away
from home
Keep a well-maintained area
around the home and sheds
Place water pipes from dams
underground and install pump
to the house
Make sure hoses have spray
nozzles
Keep water tanks full and
connect them to pumps
A CLEARED AREA
AROUND YOUR HOME
CAN SLOW A FIRE
SPREADING AND GIVE
FIREFIGHTERS A SAFE
AREA TO WORK.
There are a number of things which can affect the way a fire burns,
including:
SLOPE – a fire travelling uphill will travel faster. In fact, for every 10 degrees
of slope, a fire can double its speed. As a fire speeds up, it becomes
more intense and more dangerous.
VEGETATION – smaller items such as twigs, branches and leaves are
known as ‘fine fuels’. These can burn very easily. Burning bark, twigs
and leaves can also be blown in the wind.
WEATHER – when it’s hot, dry and windy, fires can be more intense
and unpredictable. Strong winds can send a fire in different directions
and cause burning embers to be blown through the air.
State of New South Wales (NSW Rural Fire Service).
14

NATURAL DISASTERS
AFFECT
AUSTRALIA’S
MOST
DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITIES
Bushfires have been the most
common natural disaster in New
South Wales over the past decade,
according to our study published
today in Nature’s Scientific Reports.
Our study, the first of its kind,
looked at disaster declarations in
local government areas (LGAs). We
found 207 disasters affected the state
between 2004 and 2014. Bushfires
were the most common, responsible
for 108 disaster declarations, followed
by storms (55) and floods (44).
By looking at where disasters were
declared, we found a “hotspot” in
northern New South Wales, which
includes some of the state’s most
disadvantaged communities.
This suggests that to help
communities prepare for disasters, we
need to address underlying causes of
disadvantage.
There’s nothing natural about a
disaster
Disasters are a regular part of life for
communities across the globe. So far
in 2016, disasters have cost US$71
billion and claimed some 6,000 lives.
Globally, the number and cost of
disasters is rising.
Australia has a long history of natural
disasters, from catastrophic bushfires
to flooding rains. Many people are
asking whether such disasters are
becoming more frequent, and what
we can do to better prevent and
prepare for them.
Despite the way we talk about
them, fires, floods and storms are
15

not inherently natural disasters. Though they may
threaten social systems or the environment, they are
more accurately classified as natural hazards.
A disaster occurs when a natural hazard overwhelms a
social system’s capacity to cope and respond. Instead,
disasters require many agencies and a coordinated
response. Many factors such as vulnerability, resilience
and population density influence a how a community
copes with hazards.
Natural disasters are therefore socially constructed,
and this is in Australian legislation on how disasters
are declared.
What types of disasters are most common in NSW?
Using data on local government areas (LGAs)
involved in Natural Disaster Declarations we
examined three types of sudden hazards - bushfires,
floods and storms. We found that LGAs in New South
Wales were involved in disaster declarations on 905
separate occasions.
Across the state, 27 LGAs experienced no disaster
declarations. All of these were located within the
Greater Metropolitan Region around Sydney. The
highest numbers of disasters declared were in
Clarence Valley (21), Richmond Valley (16), Narrabri
(15) and Nambucca (15).
While bushfires were the most commonly occurring
type of disaster event, floods affected the highest
number of LGAs. Bushfire and storm disasters were
most common in 2012-13, and floods in 2010-11.
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16

By analysing these data we found
a cluster or hotspot in the state’s
north east. LGAs here were much
more frequently involved in disaster
declarations than elsewhere.
WHAT’S CAUSING THESE
DISASTERS?
We found clear differences between
the number and type of disaster
declarations in different years. We
wondered if disasters were linked to
El Niño (which can lead to hotter,
drier weather in Australia) and La
Niña (which can lead to cooler, wetter
weather).
We did indeed find that bushfires
were more common in hot, dry El
Niños, and floods and storms in
wetter La Niñas. But the relationship
wasn’t “statistically significant” -
which is how scientists decide how
important a statistical finding is.
This suggests that for NSW at least,
the strength of El Niño and La Niña
is not a good predictor of the number
of bushfire, storm or flood disaster
declarations that will be made. This
might be for two reasons.
First, the declaration of a disaster
is based on its socioeconomic and
human impacts – not the physical
size or intensity of the actual event.
17

And second, we only have a good
data set of disaster declarations back
to 2004, a very short period of time to
look for detailed patterns.
We also compared disaster
declarations to the Australian
Bureau of Statistics’ Socio-Economic
Indexes for Areas data, a dataset that
ranks communities on their relative
social disadvantage. Research shows
that vulnerable, disadvantaged
communities are more susceptible to
hazards and disasters.
We found that of the most
disadvantaged LGAs in NSW, 43%
were found in the state’s disaster
hotspot.
While we don’t know exactly why so
many disadvantaged communities
are found in the disaster hotspot,
this demonstrates the role that social
disadvantage plays in influencing
susceptibility to disasters. This
builds on other recent studies about
inequality and disadvantage in
Australia.
The key message for Australia,
and the world, is if we do not deal
with the root causes of inequality,
injustice, disadvantage and poverty,
no amount of spending on disaster
risk management will stem ever
increasing disaster losses.
What can we do?
The overlap of disadvantage and
disaster declarations presents a
challenge to communities, disaster
managers and governments.
Increased funding to address social
disadvantage in these communities
may increase resilience to natural
hazards, preventing them from
becoming disasters.
Even Sydney, where all of the LGAs
with no disasters were found,
shouldn’t become complacent. Areas
with less experience of hazards have
lower awareness of the risks, and
respond less effectively as a result. So
even though metropolitan areas are
typically better off, if a disaster were
to occur, the population here would
likely be less prepared to cope with
the impacts.
Community outreach and education
programs may help increase
general awareness of the risks and
help communities become better
prepared. Similarly, more training
and deploying emergency services
personnel to disasters elsewhere
could help gain insight and
experiences which can be brought
home.
The 2011 Queensland floods
demonstrated the need for better
education, risk communication and
community awareness.
With flood disasters the most
widespread across NSW, it would
be prudent to focus on educating
communities about floods to
increase resilience and help them
cope. Increasing resources for the
State Emergency Service will also
allow for more effective planning,
mitigation and response strategies to
be developed and implemented.
The damage bill from recent flooding
across NSW topped A$500 million.
The Bureau of Meteorology has
predicted an above-average 2016-
17 cyclone season. It is an apt time
to pause and reflect on what drives
people’s understanding of disaster
risk and community resilience.
Dale Dominey-Howes
Eleanor Bruce
Ruby E. Stephans
Thomas Sewell University of Sydney
Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick UNSW Australia
Original article published on The Conversation
18

Managing stress
after a disaster
After a disaster you’ll use a lot of emotional energy coping with your fears, frustrations and other feelings.
You may not realise how much energy you’re using, continue to work too hard and for too long, and put
aside your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Eventually, you will begin to feel the effects. This is when normal stress symptoms may begin to show and
can affect your mind, body, feelings and relationships.
NORMAL STRESS SYMPTOMS
PSYCHOLOGICAL
EMOTIONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
Trouble thinking clearly, planning or
making decisions
Low attention span or difficulty
concentrating or remembering details
Continually thinking about the
problem or other difficult times
Not speaking clearly, slurring words
or forgetting names.
PHYSICAL
Tension, stress or tightness in muscles
weakness, tiredness and a loss of
energy or enthusiasm
Headaches, trembling, sweating,
nausea, aches or pains
Lack of appetite or an increased
desire for stimulants, sugar, alcohol,
tobacco or coffee
Feeling tired but unable to sleep, or
having disturbed sleep, dreams or
nightmares.
Detached and don’t care about things
any more
Irritable, bad tempered, impatient or
restless
Overwhelmed and everything seems
too difficult
Tearful for no reason
Easily upset or oversensitive to what
others do and say
Insecure or wanting to stay in
familiar places
Feeling sad and hopeless as though
the emergency will never end
Very emotional and experiencing
reasonable waves of anger or worry.
Blame others for the stress
Tend to blow things out of proportion
Can’t feel happiness, enjoyment or
affection for loved ones
Changed relationships with those
close to you
No longer want to be with family or
friends or always need them around
Need to always talk about the
emergency
Feel others don’t understand or don’t
care.
These reactions are normal after a traumatic event. But if they
continue, it can turn into a stress cycle and eventually a lifestyle.
You need to break the cycle to overcome stress.
19

BREAK THE STRESS CYCLE
Step 1: Recognise you are stressed
People don’t often recognise they are stressed because they
are too focused on the problems. Listen to others who
may see you more clearly than you see yourself.
Step 2: Recognise your stress cycle
If stress has been ongoing, a pattern of stress may form.
This is called a stress cycle and may become a lifestyle.
Step 3: Decide to break your pattern of stress
Although there are lots of things about the stress in your
life that you cannot change, there may be some that you
can.
Step 4: Reduce stressful activities
Check your lifestyle and routines to see where you can
reduce the stress. Try to stop doing things that keep stress
high.
Step 5: Increase relaxation and positive activities
Build activities into your day that are rewarding and give
you a good feeling. Take time to enjoy yourself.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Doing things you enjoy can be the best cure for stress and there are many things you can do to break the stress cycle.
RELATIONSHIPS
ATTITUDES
PHYSICAL
Take regular exercise such as walking,
swimming, and cycling
Reduce your intake of alcohol,
tobacco and sugar
Eat regular, well balanced meals.
Keep regular contact with people you
enjoy being with
Ask for help when you need it
Make time to be with your family or
friends
Talk to people you trust about what is
happening and how you are feeling.
RELAXATION
Do regular relaxation exercises such
as deep breathing, listening to quiet
music, meditation
Consider massage or simple exercises
to help with physical tension
Rest regularly, even if it’s only for a
short time
Find something to make you laugh
Accept that it will take time to get out
of the stress cycle and keep trying
Take care to stay safe, as your
concentration and judgement may be
impaired
Try to be organised so you have some
time to yourself
GETTING HELP
If you feel unable to change or have
distressing symptoms, talk to your
general practitioner (GP), community
health centre or community mental
health service.
Some GPs have additional training
and expertise in mental health.
Search for a GP online or phone
beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Phone a telephone counselling
service to talk about your feelings and
get information and advice.
Smart Service Queensland
20

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
EXACERBATE FAMILY VIOLENCE
AND CAN BE DEALT WITH
21

Domestic violence is a widely
discussed issue in Australia.
However, many narratives fail
to acknowledge the impact of
alcohol and illicit substances on the
prevalence and severity of domestic
violence. They also fail to adequately
describe the complexity of violence
that occurs within families.
A new study has revealed heavy
episodic drinking doubles the risk of
family and domestic violence.
This three-year study involved
surveying more than 5,000
Australians and analysing police data
from across the country in an effort
to untangle the relationship between
alcohol and other drug use, and
family violence.
Associations with heavy drinking
Most people who have heard the
stories of survivors and police won’t
be surprised to hear alcohol played
a significant role in the experience
of violence for a proportion of the
people surveyed.
Survey participants who reported
that their partners engaged in heavy
episodic drinking were nearly
six times more likely to report
experiencing alcohol-related intimate
partner violence. Alcohol-related
incidents were much more likely
to involve physical violence that
results in physical, psychological or
emotional injury.
Heavy drinking was also found
to be linked to increased coercive
controlling behaviour. This
encompasses the behaviours used to
exert control over an intimate partner
such as financial control, threatening
and intimidating behaviour,
emotional control and isolation.
Looking at police data, alcohol
involvement in family violence
incidents ranged from 23.9% in the
ACT to more than half in the NT and
South Australia.
Interestingly, more than half of the
alcohol implicated in partner violence
incidents was purchased between
500m and 10km of the location of the
incident, with supermarkets the most
frequent place of purchase.
Despite strong evidence pointing
to significant alcohol involvement
in family violence, government
responses to combat alcoholrelated
family violence are weak
or non-existent. For example, the
Commonwealth government’s
recently released plan to reduce
violence against women and their
children failed to address the role of
alcohol and drugs in its proposed
strategies to reduce family violence.
Illicit and licit substances
Drugs are also significantly involved
in family violence, with almost
double the proportion of drug-related
partner violence incidents resulting
in a physical injury compared to
drug-unrelated incidents.
While it is equally important to
consider the role of other drugs
in family violence, we need to
remember that other drug use is not
as prevalent in society as alcohol
use. Alcohol is a legal product that is
widely used, socially sanctioned and
readily available.
Violence is complex and diverse
Our survey tried to understand the
many manifestations of violence and
the complex interactions between
people in families and intimate
relationships.
Women, men and children are
all victims and offenders, and
some relationships are far more
complex than simply labelling an
individual “perpetrator” or “victim”.
Longitudinal studies – those that
follow people over time – show
growing up experiencing violence or
neglect predicts future involvement
in family violence.
In our study, we used the idea of
“coercive controlling behaviour”
to understand different behaviours
within relationships. Around half
22

of respondents had a partner who
engaged in high levels of coercive
controlling behaviour toward them,
and 66.8% themselves engaged in
high levels of coercive controlling
behaviour toward their partner.
The three most frequent coercive
controlling behaviours respondents
and partners engaged in were
“provokes arguments”, “shouts or
swears”, and “is jealous or possessive”.
Alcohol was also a factor in incidence
of coercive controlling behaviour. In
our survey, 56.3% of respondents who
engaged in high levels of coercive
controlling behaviour reporting
drinking at hazardous levels.
What can we do?
There are a lot of evidence-based
strategies out there that are not being
used, but if employed could result in
immediate and tangible reductions in
family-violence harm. As the report
indicates, the majority of alcohol
consumed during a family violence
incident is purchased close to home.
So we need to consider reducing the
availability of alcohol.
This can be achieved through
imposing caps on the number
of takeaway liquor licences and
restricting the strength of alcohol
available for sale within communities,
particularly those identified as
already having high levels of violence.
Increasing the price of alcohol
through a minimum unit price or
increased taxation have repeatedly
been found to be effective.
There is also a need to combine the
expertise of alcohol and drug and
family violence agencies. With such
a significant overlap between the two
agencies, it’s vital they collaborate and
provide services sensitive to complex
needs. This includes rehabilitation
programs that deal with family issues,
alcohol and drug, and other relevant
issues concurrently.
To prevent recidivism, there should
be mandatory sobriety or treatment
orders attached to relevant family
violence sentences. This has proven
successful in parts of the US where
these types of programs exist. The
program involves offenders of
alcohol-related crimes, including
family violence, undergoing regular
sobriety testing, with a short prison
sentence imposed on those who fail
the test.
Australia has come a long way in
responding to family and domestic
violence in the past decade. Reliable
evidence from around the world
shows us time and again responding
to some of the key factors driving
violence such as alcohol, drugs and
mental health can have rapid results
and reduce the burden of this awful
and complex problem. It can also save
money for the community; money
that could be spent on more support
services.
Peter Miller
Richelle Mayshak
Deakin University
Original article published on The Conversation
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23

24

YOUR TEN
STEP GUIDE TO
STAYING SAFE AT
MUSIC FESTIVALS
With Summer well and truly upon us the season of music festivals has also
gone into full swing. Many of us have either got that much prized ticket or
perhaps have children who will be first time festival goers. Going to a music
festival can be an amazing experience. Whether it’s one day or a weekend-long
event, these 10 tips can help you stay safe and healthy while still having fun
1.
PARTY RESPONSIBLY
You can make the most of your festival
experience by partying responsibly. Monitor
how much alcohol you’re drinking and
keep an eye out for your friends too. There
is nothing worse that being out of it in the
middle of the day and not going the distance.
While drugs may seem accessible and fun,
they are also dangerous as you don’t know
what’ youre taking or how you will be
affected.
25

2.HYDRATE REGULARLY
It’s pretty obvious that summer festivals will
generally be hot. The weather, partying and
dancing along to your favourite band can leave you
very dehydrated. Dehydration can have a similar
affect on your body as alcohol, making you sick
and feeling out of it. Drink plenty of water and find
a shady spot to rest when you can. Essential items
4.
are sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
BE SAFE IN THE WAYS OF LOVE
3.
TAKE THE TIME TO CHILL
Heatstroke can happen all too easily when youre out in the
sun. Combined with alcohol or drugs this is a recipe for
festival disaster. There are often chill out zones especially
for the purpose of relaxing with friends, allowing your
body to cool down and recharge for the rest of the day
or night. Take advantage of these and you will have the
stamina to party the night away.
Many a festival has brought new romance to thousands
of party goers. Often times you don’t know this person
which, when it comes to safe sex, can be hazardous to
your health. Not being aware of your partners sexual
history leaves you in line of fire for STD’s. Always use a
condom and dont ever feel pressured to do anything you
dont want to.
6.
CHECK OUT WHERE YOU ARE
Festival sites are usually very large venues with multiple
stages with various areas for food, drinks and chill out
spaces. Most festivals have a guidebook, map and online
information. Spend your first hour or so getting your
bearings and sorting out meeting places with friends.
5.
DON’T FORGET YOUR MEDICINE
If you require any medication for health issues don’t leave
them at home. It’s always a good idea to have a little travel
pack of some essential first aid items. Along with your
normal medication pack some paracetemol, antihistamines
and antiseptic. You just never know when you may need
them. Most festivals have a first aid area, but it pays to be
prepared.
LOOK AFTER YOUR EARS
7.
Festivals are notoriously loud, fun and colourful places.
A large amount of people, speakers designed to make
the sound travel further and consistent music can have
an impact on your hearing. Take some earplugs just in
case you need a break everynow and then. It will also
save you from yelling at your friends for hours after the
music is over.
26

8.
STICK BY YOUR FRIENDS
When out and about make sure you and your
friends follow the golden rule of never leaving each
other behind or alone. Look out for each other
and keep in regular contact if wanting to be in
different places. Have a place you go to to meet up
at regular intervals. Often when at a festival phone
batteries die and do not make a reliable source of
contact.
9. 10.
WATCH WHAT YOU DRINK DOWNLOAD APPS TO HELP
This is such a common occurence amongst
young people. When someone deliberately adds
alcohol or another drug to your drink without you
knowing. This can be extremely dangerous and
make you vulnerable in a large crowd.
Always keep an eye on your own drink, don’t share
accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust.
The best way to avoid this is to drink from covered
bottles or pour your own.
Access to good information can be hard to get when you’re
not at home. There are a range of useful tools and apps that
may be helpful when you’re out and about. The National Drug
Campaign App provides information about different drugs and
tips on how to avoid difficult situations.
Check out the government health apps before you leave home.
It can help you in times of crisis andprovide accurate location
information to emergency services if something goes terribly
wrong.
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Modern audio-visual facilities
Organ available for services
PARKING - Ample parking at funeral home and within the grounds
COMMERCIAL
EDUCATION
11 Churchill Street
WILLIAMSTOWN NTH VIC 3016
INDUSTRIAL
RETAIL
PROJECT CONSULTANCY
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
MANUFACTURING
CONSTRUCTION
FIT-OUT
HOSPITALITY
03 9397 8004
info@builtritegroup.com
CATERING AREA
COFFIN SHOWROOM
ARRANGEMENT ROOM
PREPAID FUNERAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
02 9625 8500
www.guardianfunerals.com.au
Situated within the grounds of Pinegrove Memorial Park
KINGTON STREET MINCHINBURY NSW
fboulous@guardianfunerals.com.au
27

BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY EVENT PLANNING
INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECT
PEOPLE FROM BUSHFIRES.
Our clients come from both the private and public sectors, across Victoria and interstate. They range
from individuals needing bushfire assessments for their properties, to private land developers and
government agencies such as local governments and environmental agencies requiring strategic planning
solutions.
Some well known Music Festival
events and other community
icons such as Royal Botanic
Gardens have taken advantage
of our expertise in bushfire and
emergency management over the
years.
Ecotide have the capability
and experience to undertake
event bushfire and emergency
plans for music festivals and
events throughout Victoria. Our
Event Bushfire & Emergency
Management Plans (EMP)
optimises the chance that your
bushfire risk is reduced, and the
appropriate event emergency plan
procedures are in place.
Event Emergency Plans - Bushfire
Emergency Management Plans
Events may include:
Music festivals
Sporting events
Cultural festivals
Jamborees
The EMP will:
• Incorporate a risk management
approach in accordance with
AS31000:2009
• Detailed treatments to mitigate or
minimise the risks
• A prioritised works plan for
treatment implementation
• Simple to follow triggers and
responses in a bushfire emergency
Ecotide’s previous work has included
Lorne’s Falls Festival, Meredith and
Golden Plains Music festivals, all
of which required robust bushfire
emergency management planning to
assure event overseers that it
could safely be operated, and to
ensure that patrons of festival
would be kept safer in a bushfire
emergency.
The Meredith Music Festival,
one of Victoria’s iconic music
festivals, depended upon an
Ecotide Emergency Management
Plan to prepare and organise the
emergency management and
operations of the event. The plan
has helped to reduce risks and
maximise safety for the patrons
of the event, which is critical for
a festival held during December
within the Fire Danger Period.
www.ecotide.com.au
28

COOKSBAKERY
www.bullfrogs.com
FURNITURE STATUES OTHER DECOR
Stunning modern &
classic Balinese
furniture
Various types of
statues from the
popular to the rare
Be inspired by our
broad collection of
Balinese home decor
“Bring the Resort Look at Home”
Balinese Decor and Furniture Mornington Peninsula
03 5973 6308 0400 025 828
Visit our showroom at:
Factory 3 1 Watt Road
MORNINGTON VIC
simon.kennedy3@bigpond.com
07 4163 1089
MOUTHWATERING BAKERY
AWARD WINNING PIES
EXPRESSO COFFEE
SALAD BAR & SANDWICHES
4am - 3pm Monday to Friday 6am-12noon Sat/Sun
51 Drayton Street NANANGO QLD
mtnt@live.com.au
29

EMERGENCY
CONTACTS
For Police, Fire & Ambulance across Australia dial 000
SES PoliceLink Crimestoppers
131444 132500 1800 333 000
13HEALTH Health Direct Australia Bureau of Meteorology
1343 2584 1800 022 222 1300 659 213
International Incident Emergency Helpline
1300 555 135
Victorian Country Fire Authority
1800 240 667
FOR LOCAL NUMBERS OR INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO YOUR STATE OR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITE
Commercial Tiling Services WA
Quality Commitment Reputation
Specialising in high profile, public and private architecture
G McDermid
LINEMARKING
Delivering quality linemarking in QLD for over 15 years
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
G McDermid Linemarking specialises in
road arrows, longitudinal/transverse lines,
Thermoplastic and RRPM
Skills, knowledge and expertise to deliver an
outstanding result on every project
08 9200 6191
www.commercialtilingservices.com.au
linda@commercialtiling.com.au
42 Wittenoom Street EAST PERTH WA
CAR PARKS
SPEED HUMPS
SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS
CITY STREETS
HIGHWAYS
0427 552 798
gmcdlinemarking@bigpond.com
PO BOX 991 BUNDABERG QLD
30

APPS TO HELP
YOU IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNOLOGY IS FOREVER CHANGING AND IN MOST CASES TRYING
TO IMPROVE OUR ACCESS TO INFORMATION. WE HAVE PUT
TOGETHER THE TOP APPS IN AUSTRALIA THAT ARE FOCUSED ON
KEEPING YOU SAFE AND INFORMED DURING THIS COMING SUMMER.
Fires Near Me App - Developed by the NSW Rural Fire Service it will
provide information about bushfires from participating fire agencies across
Australia. The app finds your location using a map and will give relevant information
around you. It also allows you to choose a location. The app also
provides information on total fire bans.
The Emergency+ app is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency
services and their Government and industry partners.
The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero
(000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency
services
Emergency AUS App - delivers warning and incident information issued
by official agencies across Australia. Providing you with real-time access to
official warnings, incident reports and public Sensory Observations to aid
in better decision making during emergencies and disasters. By bringing
together emergency information from over 25 emergency service agencies
and accessing observations submitted by the public
Triple Zero Kids Challenge App - Start playing and learn about what happens
when you call Triple 000. The online game is designed for children of
kindergarten and primary school age and consists of a number of safety scenarios.
The game is available in seven languages including English, Arabic,
Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Hindi and Dinka.
31

IF IT DOESN’T ADD UP,
SPEAK UP.
CALL THE
NATIONAL SECURITY HOTLINE
1800 123 400
Even if you think it’s probably nothing, the smallest piece of information
can be valuable. Calls to the National Security Hotline have already
contributed to investigations. If something doesn’t add up, speak up
by calling the National Security Hotline.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra.
32

Medical Emergency Plan
If a medical emergency occurs at your workplace,
every second counts!
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask
for AMBULANCE
• You will be asked a series of questions by the NSW Ambulance Call Taker which will assist us to provide the
most appropriate response to your emergency.
• Once you have answered these don’t hang up, stay on the phone as the NSW Ambulance Call Taker can
provide you with further first aid instructions or assistance if required.
• Keep the contact phone number you gave the NSW Ambulance Call Taker free in case they have to call back.
Write your organisation’s address and contact details below before it is needed in an emergency.
Suburb:
Street name and number:
For large buildings, identify a prominent meeting point.
Nearest cross street:
If in a rural area, note identifiable landmarks.
Emergency vehicle access point:
For rural addresses, GPS location (gates, house, landing strip etc).
Phone number you are calling from:
First Aid Officer
Contact your workplace first aid officer on telephone number:
Emergency vehicle meeting point
Ask a co-worker to meet the paramedics at the following meeting point:
Access
• For rural addresses or locations hard to find, have someone wait
outside the building/location to wave the ambulance down.
• Leave the front light on at night or use marker ribbons, vehicle
hazard or other lights to indicate entry gate or incident site.
• Clear hallways of obstructions to allow paramedics easy access.
• Reserve goods and services lift if required for stretcher access.
• Advise your receptionist that an ambulance has been called.
Reception telephone number:
If there is a dangerous incident, serious injury or illness, or a death,
you must report it to SafeWork NSW immediately and notify your
33
insurer within 48 hours. Call 131 050.
SafeWork NSW