Neil Greet
ď ˝
ď ˝
ď ˝
A series of bushfires that ignited or were burning in Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. 316 individual fires were recorded. The fires occurred during extreme bushfireweather conditions. Strong winds in the morning grew to storm force as the day progressed, and a wind change moved across the state during the afternoon, greatly intensifying the fires. Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire;173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires.
Then Serving in the ADF as a Colonel Deployed as the Chief of Defence Force Liaison Officer 8 Feb to 10 Mar 09
◦ PM Direction ◦ Linked to the Department of Human Services and Office of Emergency Service Commissioner ◦ Not Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority
Not Response
Early
Recovery
Transition to recovery • Recovery starts when response starts • Change in operational tempo • Needs analysis & rapid impact assessment • Partnerships
Transition to recovery • Critical infrastructure • Housing and immediate needs • Lessons learned
COMMUNITY
ď ˝
The most serious consequence of the fires was the death of 173 people. Left behind are families, friends and communities still trying to come to terms with their loss. Accompanying this loss of life is the fires’ impact on property and the infrastructure that supports communities, as well as the substantial environmental impact, which will take years to fully reveal itself—let alone be ameliorated. It is extremely difficult to quantify the cost of a disaster like this, but the Commission estimates it to be more than $4 billion.
• • •
29 people died in Strathewen valley 80 out of 100 houses were destroyed All community infrastructure destroyed • • • •
• • • • • •
Community owned hall Primary School Fire station Cricket shed
Roads blocked, bridges damaged No power for 2 weeks, land line and mobile services disabled Natural environment devastated (initially) Range of losses – pets and stock, history, relationships, security, sense of place, …… Community dispersed Significant change in community dynamics
Hazards and make-safe Food and water Safety and security Emergency accommodation
• Access to properties • Communication - mobile phone and internet • Community infrastructure – e.g meeting spaces
Power, gas Recovery management infrastructure
Transport and access Food and material distribution infrastructure Drainage/sewage Temporary accommodation Reinstate or workaround? Continue ‘make-safe’ Retail/commercial facilities Supply chains Accessing resources
Long term needs in the built environment • Don’t just rebuild what was there before • Identify opportunities to ‘build back
better’
• Upgrade infrastructure • New facilities/services • Sustainable and resilient
• Community infrastructure • Government administration infrastructure • Long term recovery infrastructure
Working with Emergency Impacted Communities Normal people in abnormal circumstances not disabled probably disoriented almost certainly overwhelmed
•
Emergency impacted people do not become panicked, aimless or stupid. Indeed they become more focused and more innovative
•
Emergency managers who work with affected people, rather than around them, will have far greater success (and an easier life)
•
Community knowledge and expertise is priceless and is readily available to those who take the time to ask
Enable access and egress no lock downs Get people back home as soon as possible Clear information on what to do next A bit of help with essential needs (but no junk!) Assistance negotiating relief/recovery systems
• Identify existing community structures • Facilitate legitimate and effective community representation - Avoid the ‘loud, angry people’ - Community leaders will emerge
• Utilise local systems for relief and support • Initiate/support community based communication systems • Supporting rather than controlling • Recognise that consultation is a ‘long conversation’ • Ensure inclusive approaches • Realistic, community based time lines
• Make long term commitments rather than short term promises (“we will
rebuild what you had”)
• Recognise the range of loss • Collect information once • Establish effective coordination • Establish genuine partnerships • Accept that recovery is long term
The ‘take home’ messages • Recovery is about people • Think of what humans need, not what is easiest, most practical, or looks best on paper • Engage with communities (get help if you need) • Community recovery is very long term - allow for this
Remember that you are part of community - there is no ‘them’