IGEM Report 1: 2017-18 - THE CYCLONE DEBBIE REVIEW

Inspector-General Emergency Management

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Reviews, inquiries, and research highlight the importance of managing and sharing information to support effective disaster management. In Queensland, such information is captured, shared and used by various entities. Many data sets and information systems are not utilised fully. The Disaster Management Act (2003) (the Act) and disaster management guidelines cover sharing information through the levels of the System in Queensland. The Debbie experience highlighted three related aspects of Queensland’s information management: • reporting, • visibility, and • interoperability. Reporting During Debbie the SDCC Event

Visibility Disaster management information systems should provide situational awareness to aid decision-makers. We heard that local situation reports were not visible in EMS, that a system that existed to show them was not known about or used, that information was available was not used because the information about it was not visible. We wonder how agencies involved in disaster management can make the best decision or avoid conflicting decisions if they do not know what information or resources each entity has. Interoperability The Debbie experience demon- strated strong interoperability between groups, agencies and systems in some circumstances. The integration of the main local, district, and state systems had improved information sharing, but had not solved interoperability issues adequately. We note that QFES, which has been solely responsible for leading the work to integrate the various information systems, has plans for further in- teroperability between these three systems. We recognise the barriers to introducing a common system across different agencies, but more work is needed here. Briefings Aside from reporting, considerable time and effort in disasters is spent trying to keep the many people involved fully informed. sometimes sought but not provided, and that capability

EVACUATION In Queensland, evacuation arrangements are in line with nationally-agreed principles and concepts. Planning takes account of five stages of evacuation: • the decision, • warning,

• withdrawal, • shelter, and • return.

Decision-making for evacuations is a shared responsibility. Local groups may call for the voluntary evacuation of local people and will coordinate such evacuations in their area. The authority for directing evacuation requires the Declaration of a Disaster by a DDC from the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Several local groups reported community confusion surrounding the terms “cyclone shelter” and “evacuation centre.” Early community engagement about safer locations and what to expect in terms of services and facilities should form part of regular pre-season preparation. Planning effort was evident throughout Debbie. Townsville’s planning used probabilistic modelling to assess the risk. Burdekin integrated the local aged care provider into planning. However, aged-care providers more often require support in evacuation. Return is critical to the recovery of communities. During Debbie this seems to have worked. Both in Mackay and Whitsunday more than 90 per cent of our community survey respondents were satisfied with the speed with which they could return home after being evacuated. Community engagement Engagement seems to have been

Management System (EMS) was used for the first time for situation reporting and noticeably improved it. However, coordinating up-to-date reports from others is difficult. Requirements changed often, reports were very large, and many local groups were constantly asked for information.

done particularly well in North Queensland. Only a very few of our community survey respondents saw room for improvement. In the planning and engagement for evacuation during Debbie there was increased awareness of the needs of vulnerable people.

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The Cyclone Debbie Review

Lessons for delivering value and confidence through trust and empowerment