A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on the Department of Health's emergency response plan for large-scale chemical fires, specifically regarding community safety, evacuation, and long-term health monitoring. The Minister confirms the existence of relevant plans and procedures.

AnsweredQoN 1228Legislative Council
Asked
11 September 2003
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does the Department of Health have a full emergency response plan for a large-scale chemical fire? (2) If yes, does this plan address the following - (a) the safety of the surrounding community and emergency workers; (b) the evacuation of the surrounding community; (c) a post emergency response; (d) ongoing medical support for affected persons; (e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Will the minister please table any report? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(2) If yes, does this plan address the following - (a) the safety of the surrounding community and emergency workers; (b) the evacuation of the surrounding community; (c) a post emergency response; (d) ongoing medical support for affected persons; (e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion? (3) If no to (1), why not? (4) Will the minister please table any report? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(b) the evacuation of the surrounding community; (c) a post emergency response; (d) ongoing medical support for affected persons; (e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion?
(c) a post emergency response; (d) ongoing medical support for affected persons; (e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion?
(d) ongoing medical support for affected persons; (e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion?
(e) ongoing health monitoring for the surrounding community; and (f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion?
(f) consideration of the cumulative and synergistic effects of multiple chemicals and their combustion?
(4) Will the minister please table any report? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(1) The Department of Health responds as one of five core agencies nominated under and covered by the West Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan entitled “Westplan-Hazmat”.  The Department of Health also has standard operational procedures to cover emergency management of hazardous materials. (2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(2) The Westplan-Hazmat standard operational procedures and senior officers group established under the standard operational procedures address the issues outlined in the question. (3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(3) Not applicable. (4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
(4) Yes. [See paper No 1411.]
[See paper No 1411.]

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