Appendix C: Threat Specific Sub-Plans

Appendix C: Threat specific sub-plans

C.1Wildfire threat specific sub-plan...... C-

C.1.1References...... C-

C.1.1Purpose...... C-

C.1.2Scope...... C-

C.1.3Audience...... C-

C.1.4Context...... C-

C.1.5Planning assumptions...... C-

C.1.6Planning principles...... C-

C.1.7Mission...... C-

C.1.8Objectives...... C-

C.1.9Critical vulnerabilities...... C-

C.1.10Critical information requirements...... C-

C.1.11Concept of operations...... C-

C.1.12Command and control...... C-

C.1.13Roles and responsibilities...... C-

C.1.14Tasking matrix...... C-

C.1.15Decision points...... C-

C.1.16Public information...... C-

C.1.17Wildfire tasking matrix...... C-

C.1.18Wildfire decision support...... C-

C.2Cyclone, east coast low and severe storm threat specific sub-plan...... C-

C.2.1Aim...... C-

C.2.2Scope...... C-

C.2.3Potential areas of operation...... C-

C.2.4Lead and support agency for response...... C-

C.2.5Coordination centres...... C-

C.2.6Communication...... C-

C.2.7Public information and warnings...... C-

C.2.8Aerial support...... C-

C.2.9Media...... C-

C.2.10Concept of operations...... C-

C.2.11Requests for assistance...... C-

C.2.12Protracted operations...... C-

C.3Flood threat specific sub-plan...... C-

C.3.1References...... C-

C.3.2Purpose...... C-

C.3.3Scope...... C-

C.3.4Audience...... C-

C.3.5Context...... C-

C.3.6Planning assumptions...... C-

C.3.7Planning principles...... C-

C.3.8Lead agency...... C-

C.3.9Objectives...... C-

C.3.10Critical vulnerabilities...... C-

C.3.11Critical information requirements...... C-

C.3.12Concept of operations...... C-

C.3.13Command, control and coordination...... C-

C.3.14Coordination...... C-

C.3.15Roles and responsibilities...... C-

C.3.16Preparation phase...... C-

C.3.17Tasking matrix...... C-

C.3.18Decision points...... C-

C.3.19Public information...... C-

C.3.20Flood event tasking matrix...... C-

C.3.21Decision support tool...... C-

C.4Hazardous material incident threat specific sub-plan...... C-

C.4.1Purpose...... C-

C.4.2Scope...... C-

C.4.3Audience...... C-

C.4.4Context...... C-

C.4.5Planning assumptions...... C-

C.4.6Council role...... C-

C.4.7Sunshine Coast LDCC mission...... C-

C.4.8Objectives...... C-

C.4.9Critical vulnerabilities...... C-

C.4.10Critical information requirements...... C-

C.4.11Concept of operations...... C-

C.4.12Command, control and coordination...... C-

C.4.13Roles and responsibilities - command and control arrangements...... C-

C.4.14Roles and responsibilities...... C-

C.4.15Public information...... C-

C.4.16References...... C-

C.4.17Hazmat Incident Task Matrix...... C-

C.4.18Hazmat incident decision support tool – days 1 - 24...... C-

C.4.19Hazmat incident decision support tool – day 24 onwards...... C-

Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Shire CouncilLocal Disaster Management Plan 2014 C-1

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Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Shire CouncilLocal Disaster Management Plan 2014 C-1

C.1Wildfire threat specific sub-plan

C.1.1References

Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council Wildfire Glossary, December 2010
Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System (AIIMS) Manual 2004
Australian Emergency Manuals Series – Manual 11: Evacuation Planning
Australian Emergency Manuals Series – Manual 43: Emergency Planning
CaloundraCity Bushfire Management Strategy April 2005
Disaster Management Act 2003
Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990
Local Disaster Management Planning Guidelines, EMQ 2005
Maroochy Shire Bushfire Management Strategy, April 2005
Natural Hazards and the Risk they pose to South East Queensland, AGSO, 2001
QFRSNorthCoast Region Operations Management Wildfire Readiness Plan
Queensland State-wide Natural Hazard Risk Assessment, March 2011, Risk Frontiers & DCS
SCC Climate Change Background Study – Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020
State Planning Policy 1/03 – Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Flood, Bushfire and Landslide

C.1.1Purpose

This threat specific plan covers the preparation, response and recovery actions associated with wildfires occurring within or directly impacting on the SunshineCoast.

C.1.2Scope

For the purpose of this plan, a wildfire is simply defined as a ‘fire in vegetation’.

Urban and industrial fires are not considered in this plan.

Wildfire management generally covers all activities directed to prevention, detection, damage mitigation, and suppression of wildfires. This includes wildfire legislation, policy, administration, law enforcement, community education, training of fire fighters, planning, communications systems, equipment, research, and the multitude of field operations undertaken by land managers and emergency services personnel relating to wildfire control.

This plan is focused on SunshineCoastdisaster management arrangements supporting the response to and minimising the impact of a major wildfire.

C.1.3Audience

This plan has been prepared for the Local Group, Council Business Units, and key external stakeholders.

C.1.4Context

Wildfires are endemic to Australia and may occur whenever conditions of high fuel loads, extreme weather and ignition coincide. On occasions, they cause significant loss of life and may destroy entire communities as evidenced most recently in the February 2009 “Black Saturday” wildfires in Victoria.

Historically, the wildfire risk is relatively low in Queensland, with only 0.2% of national recorded house equivalents lost to wildfire since 1900. This equates to approximately one house destroyed every four years compared to the national average of 105 per year.

Whilst the general conditions for the SunshineCoast indicate a lower risk of wildfire than is evident in Victoria and New South Wales, the region is not immune with the fire history indicating wildfires have been a regular event in modern times.

In September 1991 a severe-to-extreme fire season was experienced with large fires in the Sunshine Coast hinterland (Bald Knob, Landsborough, Mapleton) claiming the life of a volunteer fire fighter. In September and November of 1994, several fires occurred across the region resulting in 3000 people being evacuated, nine fire fighters injured, twenty-three houses destroyed, farm buildings, fences and livestock damages and a significant loss of plantation timber from the BeerburrumStateForest.

The State-wide Natural Hazard Risk Assessment for Queensland completed in early 2011 uses the number of houses (residential addresses) within 100m of bushland as an indicator of exposure to wildfire risk. This follows research suggesting 80 - 90% of destroyed buildings were located within 100m of bushland.

The incidence and severity of fire is closely linked to the occurrence of episodes of consecutive days with low humidity (below 25%), high temperatures (above 30°C) and sustained winds of more than 25 km/hr. An analysis of South East Queensland meteorological records indicates that severe fire weather conditions occur, on average, about once every ten years. September to December is the period in which incidents of fire weather are most common.

The most common source of wildfire ignition has historically been lightning strike but in recent times, non-natural sources including, power line failure and human carelessness or criminality have emerged as the more likely cause. These sources tend to be concentrated near power supply easements, roads, tracks and the urban-bush interface. There also appears to be an increase in incidents at periods publicised as having a ‘high fire danger’ and during school and public holidays.

Based on available projections for climate change, the proportion of days per year with temperatures above 35°C in the SunshineCoast is likely to increase. Compared to 1990 temperatures, the SunshineCoast is expected to experience an additional seven days of extreme temperatures by 2050 and at least an additional 14 days of extreme temperatures by 2075. This projection indicates a likelihood of wildfire conducive conditions being more apparent in coming years and consequently, the risk of wildfire is likely to increase.

The areas within the SunshineCoast identified through research and the disaster risk workshop process as being at increased risk of wildfire include:

BelliPark
BlackMountain
Conondale
Cooloolabin
Doonan
Eudlo
Eumundi
Gherulla
HQ PlantationsQldForest Assets
Ilkley
Kenilworth
Kin Kin
Landsborough / Maleny
Mapleton
MapletonForest Reserve (QPWS)
Mons
Montville
NoosaNational Park
NoosaNorthShore
Palmwoods
Pelican Waters
Peregian Springs
Ringtail Creek
Tanawha
Teewah

QFRS maintain detailed fire risk maps based on modelling of vegetation type and density, fuel availability and the terrain. These products present the hazard risk at a point in time at the local level and provide additional resources for planning and responding to incidents.

Overall, there is generally a low risk of wildfire damage in urban areas; however, the risk in rural and rural interface areas is broadly assessed as medium for the period January to August and high for the period September to December each year.

C.1.5Planning assumptions

The following planning assumptions have been made:

(a)The SunshineCoast’s smaller communities have finite resources (Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade crews and appliances and SES volunteer members) to deal directly with the immediate threat of wildfire and will be reliant on regional or external resources for any prolonged or widespread wildfire;

(b)The Bureau of Meteorology and QFRS will provide timely warnings and alerts for wildfire conditions and events;

(c)The Local Group and the LDCC will be activated in accordance with established triggers and protocols and will play a supporting role to QFRS who are the lead agency for wildfire events.

C.1.6Planning principles

The key principles for wildfire management include:

(a)QFRS Lead Agency. Unlike severe storm or flooding, Local Government is not the lead response agency for fire. As legislated by the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990, QFRS is the lead response agency for fire events.

(b)Council Supporting Role. Under the Disaster Management Act, Council has the primary responsibility for disaster management within its boundaries. Consequently, Council supports QFRS in coordination of disaster operations, response operations and may assume a coordination function for disaster recovery activities.

(c)Landowners Role. Landowners have responsibility for the prevention, mitigation and initial suppression of a fire on land for which they are responsible.

(d)Effective information flow. Timely and accurate information (including alerts, warnings and situation updates) is critical in enabling effective decision making during a major wildfire.

(e)Flexibility. Maintaining agility and adaptability in order to readily adjust to changing circumstances.

(f)Cooperation. Cooperation requires a partnership approach between all participants that is focused on achieving the best outcomes for the community, regardless of circumstances or the risks.

C.1.7Mission

C.1.7.1SunshineCoast Council

In accordance with the Disaster Management Act Council should primarily be responsible for managing events in its local government area. As such the QFRS member of the Local Group should make contact with the LDC when an event is happening or likely to happen.

This will allow the LDC to activate the LDMP in accordance with Local Plan Appendix A.1 and the LDCC in accordance with Local Plan Appendix A.2. The resumption of normal services and community activity as swiftly as possible, can be aided by the coordination of disaster operations by the LDC in support of the QFRS Incident Coordination Centre.

SunshineCoast Council also can be tasked during a wildfire event to support QFRS response operations through the provision of resources e.g. plant and equipment. Council may assume a control or coordination role in the recovery phase depending on the community consequences of the wildfire.

C.1.7.2Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC)

The LDCC role during a wildfire event is to coordinate disaster operations in order to minimise the impact on life, property, infrastructure, the economy, the community and the environment.

The LDCC, on behalf of the Local Group, is the coordination mechanism for disaster management support during wildfire events.

The degree of activation of the LDCC will be dictated by the nature and scale of the wildfire and the impact on the community and the level of support required by QFRS.

C.1.8Objectives

The Local Group will strive to achieve the following outcomes during a major wildfire event:

(a)No loss of life or serious injury

(b)No impact on critical infrastructure or essential services

(c)Limit and contain any impact on the environment

(d)Effective and responsive coordination of response by QFRS as the lead agency

(e)No impact on Local Group member agencies through effective business continuity planning

(f)Effective communication with relevant agencies at all levels at all times

(g)Information is disseminated to the public permitting informed and proactive decision making on individual and family responses to wildfire risks and events

(h)Restoration of disrupted services as rapidly as possible

C.1.9Critical vulnerabilities

The following critical vulnerabilities should be taken into consideration when implementing a response to a fire event:

(a)Remote or Isolated Communities. It is likely that during a major wildfire, people and assets throughout the SunshineCoastregion will be subject to isolation. Communicating the risks and warnings to the population and providing a timely response to rapid onset wildfires for these communities may be difficult.

(b)Strategic Routes. With a small number of strategic land transport corridors into and through the region, the denial or restricted use of any strategic routes may have a significant impact on accessibility for external support. This may be generated through physical damage by fire or the creation of secondary hazards such as smoke haze. Consequential impacts on adjacent regions or other parts of the State may also occur.

(c)Intra-Region Mobility. It is possible that the conditions associated with a major wildfire (smoke haze, trees blocking roads etc) will reduce mobility within the region. This may impact on the capacity to deploy some resources.

(d)Population. The transient nature of a significant portion of the population during the high risk period for wildfires (September to December) may decrease the ability to deliver messages and coordinate actions, including evacuations.

C.1.10Critical information requirements

The critical information requirements to support the effective management of a major wildfire include:

(a)Current and forecast meteorological conditions

When and where are SEVERE/EXTREME/CATASTROPHIC wildfire conditions likely to occur within or adjacent to the SunshineCoast region;
What are the likely impacts of the wildfire for disaster planning and response operations (route closures, warning times, evacuation centres, etc)?

(b)Resource availability

What resources are required to contribute to the response and recovery efforts?
What internal resources are available to support disaster operations (location, type, capacity)?
What external resources need to be requested, how will they be deployed and supported?
What SunshineCoast resources may be required to mutually support adjacent regions?

(c)Evacuations

What are the triggers for initiation of formal evacuations and establishment of evacuation centres?
What is the most appropriate risk based timeline for evacuation decision points (issuing alerts, activating evacuation centres and routes, moving vulnerable segments of the population)
What internal and external assets will be required to execute the evacuation?

C.1.11Concept of operations

The SunshineCoast response to a wildfire will be relative to the location, nature and scale of the fire and the associated impacts.

The LDCC will support QFRS response operations. This will be achieved through the coordination and provision of resources, as required to support operations.

Initially, the LDCC will interface with QFRS ICC through a liaison officer positioned at the QFRS ICC established for wildfire response. This officer will usually be Council’sEOT representative.

Should the scale of the fire or the likely impacts on the community require it, the Local Group and LDCC will be activated to provide a coordination point for regional disaster management functions. These functions may include facilitating evacuations, establishing evacuation or recovery centres, contributing to protection of critical infrastructure and activating SES resources in support of the operation. Once the LDCC has been established, QFRS will provide a liaison officer to the LDCC and the EOT representative will remain at the ICC.

Designated liaison officers to the LDCC will provide the mechanism for information flows, task management and situational awareness. All stakeholders and the public will be given access to appropriate, timely and accurate information wherever possible.

The overall concept for managing a wildfire event is premised on the community being responsible for and taking decisive action early, critical infrastructure and essential services being protected and emergency services resources being positioned for rapid response.

C.1.12Command and control

C.1.12.1Definitions

Control is the overall direction of emergency management activities in an emergency situation such as a flood. Authority for control is established in legislation and may be included in an emergency plan. It carries with it the responsibility for tasking other organisations in accordance with the needs of the situation. Control relates to situations and operates horizontally across organisations.

Command is the internal direction of the members and resources of an agency in the performance of the organisation’s roles and tasks, by agreement and in accordance with relevant legislation. Command operates vertically within an organisation.

Coordination is the bringing together of organisations and other resources to support a response operation such as a flood operation. It involves the systematic acquisition and application of resources (organisational, human and equipment) in an emergency.

C.1.12.2SunshineCoastcommand and control arrangements

QFRS has control over the response to a wildfire and as such, is designated the lead agency. As per the QFRS North Coast Region Operations Management Wildfire Readiness Plan an Incident Coordination Centre will be activated in accordance with Triggers.

The LDCC has a coordination role when supporting wildfire response operations. Coordination is executed by the LDC through the LDCC when activated. The Local Group remains part of the State level structures for disaster management and may receive direction from the DDC.

The LDMG will set strategic priorities and provide direction to the LDC on wildfire response and initial recovery operations. The LDCC is responsible for coordinating disaster operations.

The LDCC is to be prepared to assume control of disaster recovery operations if control is transitioned from QFRS at the completion of initial response activities.

Sunshine Coast SES will remain under the command of EMQ unless clearly documented changes to command arrangements are made.

Council staff and assets will remain under the command of their respective business units unless approved and documented amendments to arrangements are made, joint teams, secondments or attachments to other organisations, e.g. light attack vehicles seconded to QFRS.

C.1.13Roles and responsibilities

Council, through the Local Group, has two core roles during a wildfire event:

(a)Supporting QFRS through the provision of available internal resources; and

(b)Coordinating disaster management for the region should the actual or possible consequences require a regional response.

C.1.13.1Preparation phase

Council

Key responsibilities of council in preparing for wildfire include:

(a)Maintain the internal fire fighting capability as a first response for wildfires on Council land

(b)Monitoring and dissemination of fire warnings from QFRS

(c)Maintain Council’s Wildfire management strategy and plans

(d)Maintaining key operational plans.

(e)Increasing community awareness through engagement and education

(f)Activating internal business continuity plans as appropriate

(g)Coordinate fuel reduction activities with QFRS and other relevant authorities (DEHP)

(h)Maintaining Local Group/LDCC administration (contact lists, rosters)

Local Group

Key responsibilities of the Local Group in preparing for a wildfire include: