From Cyclone Yasi to a mini-tornado to COVID-19, the man in charge of a response when a disaster or emergency happens on the Sunshine Coast has seen it all.
Wayne Sunderland is Sunshine Coast Council’s new disaster management lead, working closely with counterparts from police, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Health, Transport and Main Roads, Unitywater and community services to help safeguard locals.
It’s not something you’d usually brag about but Mr Sunderland has made responding to extreme events his life’s passion.
“The biggest challenge is the initial stage when you get a burst of adrenaline,” he said.
“I focus on what the situation is, then try to eliminate any unknown, or speculative reactions.
“If you can control that, then the situation becomes a lot clearer and you can make informed decisions.”
Mr Sunderland steps into the role just as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is gathering momentum, fortunately well off the Queensland coast.
While our coastal areas are predicted to experience large waves and strong winds, it is not expected to have any additional impacts, but if it did, Wayne would be the person planning for the worst but hoping for the best.
Before coming to council, Mr Sunderland worked for Queensland Health for five years, tackling the maelstrom that was COVID-19. He was also a firefighter in the Australian Army for 12 years and an emergency response co-ordinator in the mining sector.
The most confronting natural disasters he has ever faced were Cyclone Yasi and the mini-tornado at The Gap in Brisbane, when people lost their homes.
But the most stressful disaster Mr Sunderland has experienced was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There were so many small things that made every interaction time critical – getting relatives through quarantine to visit family members in hospital safely, supporting people in quarantine and isolation, and the ever-changing community health requirements,” he said.
During an emergency, the Local Disaster Management Group is led by mayor Mark Jamieson, who is supported by local disaster co-ordinators Bill Haddrill or Scott Taylor. They co-ordinate the disaster response with Mr Sunderland and the primary Local Disaster Co-ordination Centre’s regional counterparts.
Helping people is the driving force behind Mr Sunderland’s career and he wants to reduce the impacts of events on them.
“I really want to help increase my community’s resilience for all disaster and emergency events,” he said.
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