During a Disaster
« BackEmergency Contact Numbers
- Life Threatening Emergencies - telephone triple zero (000)
- SES (all areas) - 132 500
- Goondiwindi Regional Council (during business hours) - 07 4671 7400
- Council emergencies (oustide business hours) - Goondiwindi & Western areas - 4671 4671
- Council emergencies (outside business hours) - Inglewood & Texas areas - 4652 1834
It is recommended that key contact information be displayed clearly in your home so that it is visible to all family members. Also, include a copy in your emergency kit and with your emergency plan.
Whilst the Goondiwindi Regional Council Local Disaster Management Group and relevant emergency services will do all they can to assist the community in times of disaster, it should be remembered that individuals are ultimately responsible for their own safety. Individuals need to be aware of the hazards that could affect their community and disaster management arrangement, which include the Local Disaster Management Plan, that are in place to deal with them.
Tune in, Log on, Listen out and Act!
Whatever the emergency, you need to Tune In – Log On – Listen Out – and Act!
- When warnings are issued, you may be directed to:
- Finalise your preparations
- Secure items around your home
- Activate your emergency plan
- Shelter in place, or
- Commence evacuation to your predetermined safer location
Warnings are urgent – you will need to act immediately on the information provided.
Tune in on your battery powered radio to your local ABC radio station (92.7FM / 747AM) or your local commercial radio station to listen for weather and warning updates; and tune in to your local television stations to listen for weather and warning updates.
Log on to check the Bureau of Meteorology website for weather updates, the Queensland Disasters and Alerts website for information on Emergency Alert messages issued; and log on to Council’s website for local updates including possible evacuation information and routes.
Listen out for the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) used at the beginning of serious emergency warnings. Listen out for Emergency Alert voice messages to your landline and text messages to you mobile telephone. Listen out for sirens and/or loudhailer announcements in your local area that may be used by emergency services or even for emergency service personnel conducting door knocks to pass on emergency warnings.
Act immediately on advice provided. The information in the warnings can mean further action is required. Ensure all householders are aware of the warning and advice provided. Check on neighbours and friends who may need special assistance or may not be aware of the warnings. If a disaster is imminent, you may need to activate your Emergency Plan. Activate your Evacuation Plan and arrangements if required.
Visit the Get Ready Queensland website for more information.
Disaster Management
Goondiwindi Regional Council is committed to ensuring our region is prepared for any disaster. This is achieved through the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and the development of the Local Disaster Management Plan (LDMP). The Council with the support of the LDMG puts into place mitigation, preparation, response and recovery strategies and arrangements within the capability of their resources and responsibility.
Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) operates at a local level involving all major stakeholders and organisations. The LDMG is responsible for the planning, organisation, coordination and implementation of all measures to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters within the Goondiwindi Regional Council area.
Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) is an interactive mutli agency coordination centre used for complex emergency and disaster events. The LDCC acts as a centre for acquiring and deploying support resources, managing information collection and dissemination, developing intelligence and strategic plans for the local capabilities and maintain overall record of the event. Leading into, during and recovering from a disaster, the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) enacts the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) in accordance with the Local Disaster Management Plan.
The Goondiwindi Regional Council Local Disaster Coordination Centre is located at the Council Chambers, 4 McLean Street Goondiwindi.
Local Disaster Management Plan (LDMP) is prepared in accordance with the requirement of the Disaster Management Act 2003 to ensure safety of the community and effective coordination of available resources during a disaster. The Disaster Management Plans for our region can be found here.
Community Information
Important information and updates are provided by the LDMG leading into, throughout and during the recovery from a disaster. Information and updates are provided via:
- Media Release
- Goondiwindi Regional Council Website
- Goondiwindi Regional Council Facebook
Whatever the disaster, communication may be disrupted so it is recommended that you to ‘tune in’ to receive updates from your local ABC radio station (92.7FM / 747AM) or your local commercial radio station and/or local television station.
Evacuation Information
If an evacuation is directed, the LDMG will advise the community of the location/s of suitable emergency assembly points or evacuation centre/s. People are encouraged to seek refuge with family or friends in the first instance, outside of the impact zone/s.
No matter what, it is important that you be prepared if an evacuation is required.
There are three types of evacuation:
Self-Evacuation
Where an individual makes the decision to evacuate based upon their perceived risk of the threat; an individual can choose to self-evacuate at any time prior to an announcement of either a coordinated voluntary evacuation or a directed evacuation. People are encouraged to seek refuge with family or friends in the first instance, outside of the impact zone/s.
Coordinated Voluntary Evacuation
Where a decision to evacuate has been made by the appropriate authority but legislation is not used. The intention is to remove all vulnerable elements from the risk and is reliant upon the community complying with instructions. People are encouraged to seek refuge with family or friends in the first instance, outside of the impact zone/s.
Directed Evacuation
The controlled and managed movement of people from a threatened area to a place of safety in accordance with the provisions of legislation such as the Disaster Management Act 2003, Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 or the Public Safety Preservation Act 1986.
Sand Bagging Frame and Pelican Lights
Through the Get Ready Queensland Program, Goondiwindi Regional Council has been able to purchase Remote Area Lighting (Pelican Lights) and a Sand Bag Filler Frame to support emergency preparedness and response operations during flood events. Access to funding programs such as this provides invaluable support to Councils across the State.
The Sand Bag Filler Frame can be readily transported to potential flood impact zones for use by communities to prepare their properties, saving time and better managing ground resources. The sandbagging unit will also be of benefit to local SES Groups when required, to assist with emergency sandbagging operations for the elderly, infirm, or members of the public with a disability or medical condition that prevents them from helping themselves.
Sandbagging Step by Step Guide (Printable)
The Remote Area Lighting Units (Pelican Lights) are portable, rechargeable and easily transported to any location required; they will be utilised to support communities carrying out emergency preparedness and response operations in flood impact zones, and can be used to support operations at Evacuation Centres for emergency lighting requirements, if required.
The units will be available to communities on a priority use basis. For further information please contact Council’s Engineering Department on 07 4671 7400.