Department of Human Services 2009 Victorian Emergencies January Heatwave and Black Saturday Bushfires Craig Lapsley Director, Emergency Management

Weather Late January early February 2009 Victoria experienced warmer than average temperatures over a short but intense period in late January / February ____________________ Land surface temperatures between 25 Jan to 1 Feb 2009 compared to the average mid- summer temperatures between Image: Jeff Schmaltz MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC Temperatures were: warmer than average in red, near-normal temperatures in white, temperatures were cooler than average in blue.

Heatwave 2009 Exceptional heatwave conditions affected south-eastern Australia during late January & early February –extreme conditions occurred in northern & eastern Tasmania, Victoria and adjacent border areas of New South Wales, southern South Australia with maximum temperatures °C above normal. –records set for both day and night time high temperatures –as well as for the duration of extreme heat Two major episodes of exceptional high temperatures, from January and 6-8 February 2009.

Victorian Heatwave Mortality Victorian Coroner confirm reportable deaths for those over 65 years old were 2.31 times the deaths in that age group for the same period in Ambulance Victoria indicate a 25% increase in total presentations in Melbourne, with a significant increase in heat-related conditions and cardiac arrests. –514 attendances for heat stress, heat stroke and dehydration compared to 15 for the same period in –67 attendances for cardiac arrest compared to 30 for the same period in –40% of the cardiac arrests were 75+ yrs old.

Friday 30 January 2009 Extreme weather event Major fires in Gippsland 30 houses destroyed Boolara township impacted.

Black Saturday 7 th February 2009 Predicted temperature to break record. Melbourne 46°C+. Strong hot, dry North West wind shifting to Easterly by afternoon with low humidity Fire Danger Extreme Major fires at Horsham, Coleraine, Bendigo, Kilmore, Murrindindi, Churchill, Beechworth, Bunyip, Wilsons Promontory NP. Extensive loss of life and property over a 12 hrs period.

Black Saturday 7 th February 2009 Extreme weather event Major fires in all parts of Victoria. 173 people dead 2059 house destroyed 78 townships impacted Thousands displaced Largest disaster in Australia’s history…… Many dead, families displaced, communities destroyed.

The consequences / impacts Many vehicles destroyed 2700 agricultural structures burnt 90 community buildings destroyed Destroyed: 500,000 ha’s burnt 11,000 ha’s plantations 13,000 stock 12,000 km fencing 1,000,000 wildlife

Primary Health Field Primary Care Clinics established with Paramedics, Nurse & Doctors to Support community & emergency services. Clinics in Traralgon, Whittlesea, Kinglake & Kinglake West. Presentations for lacerations & wounds, immunisations, respiratory & eye problems, mental health and prescriptions. Two still operating in Kinglake & Flowerdale, issues are changing to more usual Primary Health Care needs.

Health Impacts & Response 822 hospital presentations 133 admissions Health support –Ambulance Victoria –St John Ambulance –FEMO –VMAT –Rural Workforce Agency & GPDV – GPs –RDNS –Pharmacy Guild –Nurse On-Call –Community Health Services – HACC, –Environmental Health Officers

Black Saturday 7 th February 2009 Recovery system activated and built upon.. Individual / Family support systems activated: –Case Management Service –Psychological support program –Outreach program –Health & Medical program –Material Aide Neighbourhood / Community support systems activated: –Community Development Program –Community Service Hubs –Community Recovery Committees

Emergency Co Ordination State Integrated Emergency Co Ordination Centre operating. DHS Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) was already in operation. Ambulance Emergency Operations Centre operating. DHS Region Emergency Operations Centres operating. Immediate escalation & activation of further departmental & sector resources. Engagement of senior management at Secretary, Executive Director and Director levels. Establishment of structure, roles and responsibilities.

DHS Emergency Management Structure DHS Executive State Incident Manager Craig Lapsley Health and Medical Prof Chris Brook Psychological Support / CMH Gill Callister Case Management Mike Debinski Emergency Coordination Jeff Supple Executive Director Operations Pam White Secretary Fran Thorn Housing / Accommodation & Support Margaret Crawford ADF Liaison Neil Greet Ministers

Immediate Human Impacts Material needs – clothing etc. Access to financial assistance Psychological support Food Shelter Water Sanitation

Outreach 22,500 NRIS registrations Relief / Recovery / Hubs: –13 Relief centres –16 Recovery Centres –8 Community Service Hubs 1000’s deployed from Health & Community Services and Local Gov’t sectors.

Housing 10,084 offers of accommodation 5,244 total suitable offers As at 10 th March 942 households assessed for accommodation needs Households accommodated –79 in public housing –14 in community housing –234 in emergency accommodation –235 in private rental –38 private caravans –179 other shared accommodation

Major Fires across Victoria

Proximity to Melbourne

Pheasant Creek (South of main township) - Before

Pheasant Creek (South of main township) - After

South of Traralgon South - Before

South of Traralgon South - After

Marysville - Before

Marysville - After

Questions…?