An Evacuation Guide For Police and Emergency Services
Purpose
The purpose of this Guide is to provide broad guidance to Police and emergency services personnel who may be involved in immediate evacuations.
Authority To Evacuate
Combat Agencies have the authority under their own
Acts to order evacuations when dealing with the impact of their own hazards.
They also have the authority to direct other emergency services to carry out
evacuations on their behalf, when they are acting in support.
The designated Combat Agencies for the more common hazards are as follows:
- Bush Fire - Rural Fire Service
- Flood - State Emergency Service
- Hazardous Material Incidents - NSW Fire Brigades
- Storm - State Emergency Service
- Urban Fire - NSW Fire Brigades
Police
Police services to the community during emergencies and rescue situations are subject to the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act. Under the Act, a Police Officer of or above the rank of Sergeant may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so for the purpose of protecting persons from injury or death threatened by an actual or imminent emergency, direct, or authorise another police officer to direct persons to leave a danger area. Under the same Act, police also have powers to evacuate an emergency area during a State of Emergency.
The Police Service Act also empowers police officers to evacuate persons considered at risk. This authority to evacuate is more widely used on a day-to-day basis than that granted under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act.
Bushfire
Able bodied persons should generally not be evacuated from properly prepared homes likely to be impacted upon by bushfires.
Advice
Advice on the likelihood of the need for evacuations
and details of the evacuation should always be provided by the Combat Agency in
control of the Operation to its own personnel, Police, Department of Community
Services (Disaster Welfare) and supporting services, as well as the community.
Police and supporting services should always seek advice from the Combat Agency
Operations Centre in the event that evacuations may be required.
Conducting an evacuation
An evacuation which cannot be properly planned is a difficult operation and it is essential that Police and all emergency services personnel have an understanding of the basics.
Stages
It is not simply a matter of moving people out of harm's way. There are four essential stages to any evacuation:
- Warning
- Withdrawal
- Shelter
- Return
Warning
The decision to evacuate must be made early as last minute evacuations are often extremely dangerous. Maximum warning to the affected community is essential.
Withdrawal
The main requirement is always the safety of those being evacuated.
Shelter
If possible, the place of safety should provide shelter and be in a location from which no further evacuation will be required.
Evacuation Centres
Facilities suitable for use as Evacuation Centres should be identified in most Local Disaster Plans. Department of Community Services officers should be consulted in determining locations.
Registration
Police are to ensure that evacuees are registered as enquiries can be expected as soon as it becomes known that an evacuation has taken place. There is a standard national form. However, if it is not available, the following details should be recorded:
- Surname and Initials
- DOB
- Home Address
- Destination (if applicable)
- Contact Phone (if applicable)
- Permission to Release Information
If Police are not available, evacuees themselves can be selected to record these details.
Return
The Combat Agency is responsible for informing Police, supporting agencies and the community of when the evacuated area is safe for reoccupation. Department of Community Services and other agencies may facilitate the return.