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CCIQ Disaster Recovery Checklist http://www.cciq.com.au/images/floods/FS7_Business_Recovery_Checklist.pdf
Plus a few extra tips from me:
1. Document everything that happened, everything that you do and key decisions that you make.
2. When everything settles down assess how you have responded and identify the lessons that you have learned from the experience.
3. Be prepared for the next disaster. Complacency and an attitude of “we have had our bad luck nothing else will happen” is the worst thing we can do.
4. Undertake a formal risk assessment and document strategies to manage your risks
5. Prepare an emergency plan for your organisation and develop a complimentary business continuity plan.
The Premier’s Disaster Recovery Website
http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/initiatives/disaster_recovery/index.aspx
This and the website below have links to all funding and assistance programs on offer.
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/support.html
Australian Government Disaster Assist
http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/www/disasterassist/disasterassist.nsf/
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland website
http://www.cciq.com.au/floods
Find service providers who are offering assistance to flood affected businesses or register as a service provider willing to provide assistance to flood affected businesses. This site has many resources for businesses affected by flood including, HR issues, environmental issues, etc.
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Slow and Difficult Road to Recovery
Flood recovery is a complex, dynamic and protracted process so what can we expect to see in the coming months?
When disaster strikes a community we often see a wonderful human response where people come together and bond as a result of common unity in the face of adversity. As the disaster abates a process of social debonding can occur. This is where an event profoundly disrupts pre-eixisting physical emotional and social continuity. It affects all that was constant and taken for granted and is not understood. As life resumes a level of "new normality" the interaction seen in the intial response is lessened. A slightly different community is created and relationships have changed. This debonding increases vulnerability and can lead to feelings of isolation, resentment and hostility, anger, stress, helplessness and depression. it can be momentary or protracted, depending on the impact duration.
Impacts are primarily related to an individuals experience of the event, some people will require formal assistance or counselling and others will manage in their own way. Friends and families should be aware that there is potential for both short and long term effects on people affected by disaster.
Below are some of the signs that a person is experiencing trauma:
We have seen a massive response to clean up at the local level. Homes and businesses are being cleaned out and roads are being cleared. The repair and rebuilding of homes, businesses and damaged infrastructure will take time and services that we often take for granted will at times be affected.
There is likely to be rental shortages and people will remain displaced for some time. It is possible that we will see initial job losses particularly, in the area of small business. Some businesses will be unable to re-open. Other businesses will be affected because they can not afford to donate their services or people are donating the goods that they sell. This can contribute to reduced sales, increased vulnerability and delayed economic recovery.
The Queensland Government has created a web page with information on Disaster Recovery and Assistance for affected communities . Here you can find links to pages providing assistance in a range of areas including both health and financial assistance.
Businesses need a plan to recover and rebuild to ensure their future resilience. If you are a business recovering from the devastating floods in QLD, NSW or Victoria and you would like more information please contact us to discuss your needs further.
When disaster strikes a community we often see a wonderful human response where people come together and bond as a result of common unity in the face of adversity. As the disaster abates a process of social debonding can occur. This is where an event profoundly disrupts pre-eixisting physical emotional and social continuity. It affects all that was constant and taken for granted and is not understood. As life resumes a level of "new normality" the interaction seen in the intial response is lessened. A slightly different community is created and relationships have changed. This debonding increases vulnerability and can lead to feelings of isolation, resentment and hostility, anger, stress, helplessness and depression. it can be momentary or protracted, depending on the impact duration.
Impacts are primarily related to an individuals experience of the event, some people will require formal assistance or counselling and others will manage in their own way. Friends and families should be aware that there is potential for both short and long term effects on people affected by disaster.
Below are some of the signs that a person is experiencing trauma:
- Stress and chronic arousal
- Physical health deteriorates
- Exhaustion and emotional liability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Indecisiveness
- Degraded social relationships
We have seen a massive response to clean up at the local level. Homes and businesses are being cleaned out and roads are being cleared. The repair and rebuilding of homes, businesses and damaged infrastructure will take time and services that we often take for granted will at times be affected.
There is likely to be rental shortages and people will remain displaced for some time. It is possible that we will see initial job losses particularly, in the area of small business. Some businesses will be unable to re-open. Other businesses will be affected because they can not afford to donate their services or people are donating the goods that they sell. This can contribute to reduced sales, increased vulnerability and delayed economic recovery.
The Queensland Government has created a web page with information on Disaster Recovery and Assistance for affected communities . Here you can find links to pages providing assistance in a range of areas including both health and financial assistance.
Businesses need a plan to recover and rebuild to ensure their future resilience. If you are a business recovering from the devastating floods in QLD, NSW or Victoria and you would like more information please contact us to discuss your needs further.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Queensland flood recovery assistance
I hope you have managed to stay safe and dry during these devastating floods. I was growing up in Oxley in 1974 and remember the incredible amounts of water and devastation back then. Even with all the work I have done since in flood mitigation, response and recovery over the years, it's something you hope never to see again on such a scale. What I viewed with facination as a child I now see with the additional knowledge of an emergency management professional. The enormity of this recovery task is huge, it will take many years and billions of dollars. Such a terrible tragedy and an unfortunate reminder to never underestimate the ferocity of Mother Nature.
1. Emergency Contact Numbers
State Emergency Service 132 500
Police for life threatening emergencies 000 for non life threatening situations contact police on 131 444
Disaster Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
Energex 131 962
2. Donations
Donations can be made to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal by direct debit or phone 1800 219 028. Only monetary donations are being called for. By donating funds it assists recovery in two major ways. It enables the funds to be directly spent in the affected communities in local businesses thereby promoting economic recovery for the region. This inturn ensures that only those goods and services that are most important are obtained reducing the amount of waste generated from well meaning, yet at times unwanted or unnecessary donations.
3. Volunteering
4. Grants
There are a number of flood relief grants available to individuals and businesses. Information on these can be obtained from the Queensland Department of Communities online or by calling 1800 713 349. Centrelink can be contacted on 180 2266 and small business can also contact the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority on 1800 623 946.
Professional recovery assistance for business and governments
Business
Adarna Consulting are offering assistance to businesses in their recovery efforts as a result of the floods. If you or any of your clients require professional recovery assistance then we can help.
A few suggestions on areas that we can assist businesses are below:
- Development of recovery plans and strategies to rebuild businesses
- Strategies to ensure business continuity during the recovery period
- Staff management and welfare during flood recovery
- Assistance with accessing disaster relief grants; and
- Professional debrief of owners, management and staff.
Local and State Government Agencies
Adarna Consulting is well placed to help all levels of Government in this important task and have extensive experience in emergency management, particularly flooding, and whole of government emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.
We can assist in a number of ways including:
- Conduct of after action reviews to identify lessons learned including organisational debriefing, key person interviews, focused workshops and surveys will contribute to improving plans, processes and procedures.
- Recovery planning
- Implementation of recovery programs and projects;
- Community consultation and recovery needs analysis;
- Survey design, delivery and analysis; and
- Reporting.
Assistance to businesses and governments in affected areas of Queensland and Northern NSW during the flood recovery will be offered on a proportionate pro-bono basis to enable them to reduce their flood recovery costs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any way that I can help out.
Stay safe
Samantha Ford
1. Emergency Contact Numbers
State Emergency Service 132 500
Police for life threatening emergencies 000 for non life threatening situations contact police on 131 444
Disaster Recovery Hotline 1800 173 349
Energex 131 962
2. Donations
Donations can be made to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal by direct debit or phone 1800 219 028. Only monetary donations are being called for. By donating funds it assists recovery in two major ways. It enables the funds to be directly spent in the affected communities in local businesses thereby promoting economic recovery for the region. This inturn ensures that only those goods and services that are most important are obtained reducing the amount of waste generated from well meaning, yet at times unwanted or unnecessary donations.
3. Volunteering
The best way to help during any emergency is to help your family, friends and neighbours first. This recovery will be a long and protracted process. It will require much patience and understanding and will potentially have long term psychosocial effects on the affected community. To help out further contact Volunteering Queensland and register your interest or call 1800 994 100.
4. Grants
There are a number of flood relief grants available to individuals and businesses. Information on these can be obtained from the Queensland Department of Communities online or by calling 1800 713 349. Centrelink can be contacted on 180 2266 and small business can also contact the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority on 1800 623 946.
Professional recovery assistance for business and governments
Business
Adarna Consulting are offering assistance to businesses in their recovery efforts as a result of the floods. If you or any of your clients require professional recovery assistance then we can help.
A few suggestions on areas that we can assist businesses are below:
- Development of recovery plans and strategies to rebuild businesses
- Strategies to ensure business continuity during the recovery period
- Staff management and welfare during flood recovery
- Assistance with accessing disaster relief grants; and
- Professional debrief of owners, management and staff.
Local and State Government Agencies
Adarna Consulting is well placed to help all levels of Government in this important task and have extensive experience in emergency management, particularly flooding, and whole of government emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.
We can assist in a number of ways including:
- Conduct of after action reviews to identify lessons learned including organisational debriefing, key person interviews, focused workshops and surveys will contribute to improving plans, processes and procedures.
- Recovery planning
- Implementation of recovery programs and projects;
- Community consultation and recovery needs analysis;
- Survey design, delivery and analysis; and
- Reporting.
Assistance to businesses and governments in affected areas of Queensland and Northern NSW during the flood recovery will be offered on a proportionate pro-bono basis to enable them to reduce their flood recovery costs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any way that I can help out.
Stay safe
Samantha Ford
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