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Emergency relief centre continues to operate

Decisions on the need to maintain the emergency relief centre in Newborough will be made on an ongoing needs basis during the Moondarra bushfire emergency.

By Latrobe City Council - 24th January 2006 - Back to News

Decisions on the need to maintain the emergency relief centre in Newborough will be made on an ongoing needs basis during the Moondarra bushfire emergency. An assessment undertaken on Monday afternoon resolved there was still a need for the centre to operate.

Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, said that as the fire situation became more serious on Sunday, posing a threat to people and property, an emergency relief centre was initiated, which is located in the Community Centre (formerly the nurses’ home) in Ollerton Avenue Newborough.

"A number of agencies such as Red Cross, the Salvation Army and State Emergency Service are working with Latrobe City at the centre to provide food, shelter and other support services to those who had left their homes in the fire areas such as Rawson and Yallourn North. In addition, the centre has been providing support to fire fighters and other emergency services," Mr Buckley explained.

Mr Buckley said the initiation of the emergency relief centre was a key part of the role local government played in emergencies such as the Moondarra fire. While the emergency relief centre delivered part of the ‘recovery’ program, Latrobe City was also involved in a ‘response’ role with the setting up of the Municipal Emergency Communication Centre (MECC) on Saturday.

"On Saturday afternoon, the MECC was activated in the civic precinct in Traralgon. Latrobe City staff were on duty, together with other emergency services, providing resources, assessing risks and preparing for any necessary responses that may have been required in responding to the fire," Mr Buckley said.

Mr Buckley explained that local government is often the first area that people turn to after an emergency. "Local government has a specific role to play in assisting the community recover from the effects of a particular incident," Mr Buckley said.

"Local governments, being providers of local services to their community, have an understanding of the issues facing people as they recover from an emergency, and we coordinate and advise other agencies on where services and assistance should be targeted.

"Potential emergencies and strategies for dealing with them here in Latrobe are set out in Latrobe City’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan. In the eventuality of an emergency, we call on that plan and strategies that may involve us in providing assistance such as environmental health management, assisting with the disposal of dead, maimed or diseased stock; undertaking building safety assessments; repairing and restoring infrastructure; managing community development activities; and coordinating the provision of volunteers," Mr Buckley added.

Mr Buckley urged those affected by the bushfire who have decided to leave their homes, to register at the Ollerton Avenue emergency relief centre. "Even if they are not going to be staying at the centre, but are staying with friends and relatives, their details can be entered on the national database. That way, if they need to be contacted during the emergency, authorities know where and how to contact them; or if anyone is enquiring about their safety, assurances can be given on their behalf," Mr Buckley said.

Latrobe City’s deputy mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, said he has been impressed at the volume of support offered by the business and general community during the emergency. There have been many generous offers of goods such as bottled water and offers of temporary accommodation made to help those at the emergency relief centre.

"I’d also like to pay a tribute to ABC radio, on the Sunday and in the aftermath. Their broadcast of current and expected conditions in local communities across the whole state has kept these local communities extremely well informed and safe. Numerous people attending the emergency relief centre have commented on the effectiveness of their broadcast and the reassurance it is providing to those in the vicinity of fires," Cr Lougheed said.

"The numerous community meetings presented by DSE and the CFA have also played a very important role in keeping our community informed and prepared.

"Of course, most praise must go to the fire-fighters and managers who are dealing with the fire itself and helping protect property. They are doing magnificent work, with the expectation that much will still need to be done over the next few days. Our heartfelt thanks go to all those involved in this emergency," Cr Lougheed concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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