National Emergency Management Agency

Ever wondered how Australia comes together to handle a crisis? ⚠ Operating within the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework, the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) is a collaboration, coordination and communication tool that brings together key government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector. An NCM helps to: ▪️ quickly analyse the situation ▪️ make decisions ▪️ take action to reduce harm ▪️ stabilise the crisis Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDf3ZcFj

As recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues, we want to thank our emergency service responders, agencies, volunteers, and community groups. Their help has been vital in responding to and recovering from this disaster. Emergency service workers are critical to Australia’s capacity to respond to disasters. We support mental health and wellbeing programs and initiatives that serve our emergency service workers before, during, and after a disaster. State and territory governments can ask for support to provide mental health and wellbeing services through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The Australian Government also funds mental health services to support the mental health of emergency services workers, including: 🔷 Fortem Australia, which supports first responders and their families 🔷 The Black Dog Institute, delivering the National Emergency Worker Support Service 🔷 Australian Psychological Society (APS), which runs the Disaster Response Network You can learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gEdXx3GZ 📸: ACT SES, Queensland Fire Department

Yesterday our Coordinator-General Brendan Moon AM and senior leadership met with Kamal Kishore and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Chief of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Marco Toscano-Rivalta. Together, we discussed disaster risk, resilience, inclusion and equity, and public safety and preparedness programs being led by #TeamNEMA. Sharing knowledge and working in close collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) helps us reduce disaster risk and build disaster resilience across Australia and our region. Our visitors also toured the National Situation Room and Crisis Coordination Team, a 24/7 facility that provides whole-of-government all-hazards monitoring and reporting and coordination. 

Last week, staff from our National Crisis Operations Branch attended the All Industries Fair at the University of Canberra. Attendees were invited to chat with #TeamNEMA about career pathways into emergency management. Highlighting our role in disaster response, recovery and resilience, our team provided insight into the National Situation Room (NSR) and how we provide 24/7 situational awareness of potential crisis incidents. 👀 The team also promoted current opportunities available through the National Situation Room Operator Casual Register. This register is open and currently offers several casual NSR officer roles in our National Crisis Operations Branch. Want to know more about becoming a casual NSR officer? Visit: https://lnkd.in/gY_WHNYa

If you were impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred you may be eligible for financial support. You can contact 1800 173 349 if you are in Queensland or 13 77 88 if you are in New South Wales to find out what support is available for you.   Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/ghDUt-fm

The Insurance Council of Australia, insurers, reinsurers, the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies met today to discuss the insurance industry’s preparation and initial response to ex-TC Alfred. Prior to the event, insurers pre-emptively contacted more than a quarter of a million customers across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales with safety and preparedness information. Insurers added hundreds of additional claims consultants, engaged round-the-clock major event response teams during the active phase of the event, pre-reserved temporary accommodation for impacted customers, and secured a strong network of builder and supplier capacity in potentially impacted areas. Since then, insurers have paid out almost $2.4 million in emergency cash payments to almost 6,000 impacted policyholders - generally for items such as food spoilage and temporary accommodation. As of midday today, insurers had received more than 34,000 claims across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, an increase of more than 50 per cent since yesterday. Read more: bit.ly/4bLGPTX

Power outages from severe weather can last from hours to weeks. 💡 If you lose power, remember to note the time it goes off. Also, check if your home safety switch has tripped. After losing power: 🔌 Turn off all electrical devices and appliances in your home. ⚠️ Stay informed with emergency updates. A battery-powered radio can help. 🔋 Save battery on your phone and write down contacts for family and authorities. ✅ Follow food safety tips for items in your fridge and freezer. 💉 Move medicines that need to stay cold into an esky. Use a container or plastic bag to keep them dry and off the ice. 📞 Call your local utility company to report the outage. They will tell you when power might return. If you go outside, stay away from damaged power lines. Keep at least 10 metres away—about the length of a bus! 🚌 For more advice on what to do and who to contact, visit: https://lnkd.in/gDEr_dtE

Severe weather will continue in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales over the next few days. 🌀 Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is lingering and its direction of movement is uncertain. Heavy rain and strong winds will continue while the system persists. Flash flooding and major riverine flooding are occurring. Power and telecommunication issues will take some time to resolve. We are working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Government, NSW Government, and other agencies. Please check for updates from Bureau of Meteorology and your local authorities. New South Wales: 🚧 Road closures: https://lnkd.in/bBD9Awd ⚠️ Evacuation alerts and warnings: https://lnkd.in/eA_AwNJG 💧 Live hazards: https://lnkd.in/g4DEDfA5 Queensland: 🚧 Road closures: https://lnkd.in/d3PdDHf ⚠️ Emergency alerts and warnings: https://lnkd.in/gFutwHbf 📍 Disaster Management: https://lnkd.in/guPUsWFM

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has brought severe weather to northeast New South Wales, disrupting power supply in some areas. Ongoing storms and severe weather are preventing restoration crews from reaching affected customers. Impacted communities may be without power for several days. The NSW Government government has used all available state resources, including generators, but more help is needed. At the NSW Government's request, generators from the National Emergency Management Stockpile are on the way. These will support critical energy, fuel supply, and welfare in evacuation centres. The generators are currently on-route to Lismore by road. The NSW Energy and Utilities Services Functional Area, supported by NSW SES, will determine where to place them.

Communities in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales are experiencing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds, as Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues towards the coast. 🌀 The National Situation Room is monitoring conditions around the clock, and we are working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Government and NSW Government to determine what assistance they require and what Australian Government capabilities can be activated, when needed. A Crisis Coordination Team is continuing to coordinate the Australian Government's response, and NEMA liaison officers are embedded with Queensland and New South Wales emergency services. Yesterday, we convened a meeting of the National Coordination Mechanism with supermarkets and the freight sector, to help ensure the continued supply of food and other essential supplies to impacted communities. 🛒 Supermarkets in Queensland and New South Wales have advised they will continue operating as long as it is safe to do so. People in affected areas should keep checking the updates and warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and local emergency services. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid hazards like flying debris, fallen power lines, and floodwaters. Follow Bureau of Meteorology, Get Ready Queensland and NSW SES for the latest advice.