Emergency services and essential groups have taken part in a disaster exercise to see how prepared they are for a tsunami on the Sunshine Coast.
Police, local councils, utility agencies, community support services and other emergency services worked together – as the Sunshine Coast District Disaster Management Group – on Wednesday to consider potential community impacts and coordinate support.
District disaster coordinator Superintendent Craig Hawkins said the scenario was based on the best scientific advice, and they should be prepared for almost anything.
“Though a tsunami is not anticipated to impact the Sunshine Coast, it is a disaster that would significantly impact the area and the scenario provides a thorough test of plans,” he said.
“The topic of the exercise scenario isn’t as important as the way we work together to achieve our objectives.
“The exercise focuses on factors that will give us the best chance of success, how we communicate between disaster management groups, and how we work together to protect our communities.
“These exercises are vital in ensuring we identify our key priorities at local, district, and state levels and how we get additional help when needed.”
Representatives of the groups gathered at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre.
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Research, through an ongoing collaboration between the Queensland Police Service and hazard risk experts from University of Newcastle and Queensland Fire Department, set the scene for participants.
Get Ready activities launched in October, and other activities, including the exercise at the university, are focused on preparing and protecting our community.
For more information on how to prepare for a natural disaster, visit Get Prepared.
During a disaster, locals can refer to the local council’s disaster dashboard for up-to-date information on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
