The community are invited to experience a rare glimpse of our local Disaster Coordination Centre in a unique open day experience that shows the inner workings of the central command centre when a natural disaster strikes.
This open day will offer the public an insight into how disasters are managed in our region by offering tours of the centre and a series of 30-minute talks by the Disaster Management Coordinator and centre staff.
“The coordination centre will be open as if it were activated for a real event,” said Disaster Management Coordinator Sandra Black.
“The community will be able to visually see how the room is set-up, and checkout what roles the different Council staff have during an event.”
‘The Disaster Coordination Centre can be activated when an extreme weather event such as a flood, cyclone, bushfire or storm reaches a certain level.’
When the centre is activated Council staff also slip into action and step-up to oversee the successful operation of the centre alongside emergency services personnel.
“The centre is made up of three big meeting rooms which are made into smaller hubs and sub-cells for planning and intel,” said Sandra.
“There are also loggers and taskers who man the phones and then relay information to the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG).”
During the open day, guests can enjoy a tour, listen to one of the talks and understand how disaster teams respond to a situation.
Children will enjoy activities and dress-ups and everyone receives brochures and pamphlets detailing how to prepare for a disaster.
Anyone who completes a Community Resilience Survey on the day goes in the draw to win a generator!
“This is the only opportunity to see the set-up first-hand and understand our functions” explains Sandra.
“The centre is never usually open to the public and we are excited to invite everyone along – we are also hoping representatives from the emergency service fields will be there.”
WHAT: Disaster Coordination Centre Open Day
WHERE: 83-85 Main Street, Proserpine
WHEN: Sunday, June 11 from 10am – 1pm
TICKETS: Free community event
Where Is Your Nearest Shelter?
Bowen Cyclone Shelter
(Bowen State High School)
54-86 Richmond Road, Bowen
Proserpine Cyclone Shelter
(Proserpine State Primary School)
Sterry Street, Proserpine
The Disaster Coordination Centre is ready for action. Photo supplied
