❓ Mr Stephens questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the suitability of the Nullagine Police Station as an evacuation centre during Cyclone Lua, highlighting numerous deficiencies. The Minister acknowledges the issues and outlines planned reviews.
AnsweredQoN 7606Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In reference to the use of the Nullagine Police Station as the appointed Evacuation Centre during Cyclone Lua, I ask, have the following issues been drawn to the attention of the Minister for Emergency Services:
(a) the major leaks in the Police Station roof, in particular the cell areas, facility rooms and station area;
(b) the lack of forms made available for registration of those who attended on the day, and will the Minister advise
whose responsibility is it to have these registration forms available in such situations;
(c) the lack of facility for the treatment of the sick at the Police Station, as all rooms were taken up by the evacuees;
(d) the need for nursing staff to treat the following cases in the cell area: diabetes, toothache, foot injury, vomiting, an infection and a baby suffering high temperature, and will the Minister take these health issues on board when planning alternative locations for future emergency evacuations;
(e) the housing of evacuees in three separate areas and the inability to treat and feed people at the height of the cyclone;
(f) the shortage of mattresses available meaning evacuees had to sleep on the concrete floor in overcrowded conditions;
(g)
overcrowding of the Police Station passages, making access to toilets difficult;
(h)
the lack of ventilation in the cells and facility area, causing distress to some evacuees;
(i)
the overuse of the toilet facilities in all three cell areas which resulted in blockages and people were left having to use the facilities in the view of others with no privacy;
(j)
the cyclonic driven rain which was forced under the doors and into the passageway wetting bedding and
people sleeping in that area;
(k)
the toilet that overflowed into the passage in the facility area soiling peoples' bedding;
(l)
that evacuees had to remain at the centre after the passage of the cyclone due to flooding and continue to sleep on wet concrete, including young children and babies;
(m)
that the facility did not meet the needs of the disabled and one person had to be housed elsewhere;
(n)
that the school could not be used as a back-up shelter as it has no inside toilet facilities or food preparation areas;
(o)
that food items supplied were not appropriate; and
(p) will the Minister advise what steps are being taken by the Western Australian Government to ensure these issues and concerns are addressed?
(a) the major leaks in the Police Station roof, in particular the cell areas, facility rooms and station area;
(b) the lack of forms made available for registration of those who attended on the day, and will the Minister advise
whose responsibility is it to have these registration forms available in such situations;
(c) the lack of facility for the treatment of the sick at the Police Station, as all rooms were taken up by the evacuees;
(d) the need for nursing staff to treat the following cases in the cell area: diabetes, toothache, foot injury, vomiting, an infection and a baby suffering high temperature, and will the Minister take these health issues on board when planning alternative locations for future emergency evacuations;
(e) the housing of evacuees in three separate areas and the inability to treat and feed people at the height of the cyclone;
(f) the shortage of mattresses available meaning evacuees had to sleep on the concrete floor in overcrowded conditions;
(g)
overcrowding of the Police Station passages, making access to toilets difficult;
(h)
the lack of ventilation in the cells and facility area, causing distress to some evacuees;
(i)
the overuse of the toilet facilities in all three cell areas which resulted in blockages and people were left having to use the facilities in the view of others with no privacy;
(j)
the cyclonic driven rain which was forced under the doors and into the passageway wetting bedding and
people sleeping in that area;
(k)
the toilet that overflowed into the passage in the facility area soiling peoples' bedding;
(l)
that evacuees had to remain at the centre after the passage of the cyclone due to flooding and continue to sleep on wet concrete, including young children and babies;
(m)
that the facility did not meet the needs of the disabled and one person had to be housed elsewhere;
(n)
that the school could not be used as a back-up shelter as it has no inside toilet facilities or food preparation areas;
(o)
that food items supplied were not appropriate; and
(p) will the Minister advise what steps are being taken by the Western Australian Government to ensure these issues and concerns are addressed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
48 days
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority advises:
(a - i) Yes
(j) Yes. The cyclonic conditions drove rain under door seals and into the passageways. Appropriate solutions such as 'sandbagging' to waterproof external doors will be considered as part of the review of local welfare arrangements.
(k - l) Yes
(m) Yes. One person with special needs was identified and arrangements were put in place to cater for requirements that could not be met at the police facility.
(n - o) Yes
(p) Yes. FESA is undertaking a formal debrief of Tropical Cyclone Lua involving all key stakeholders. A review of Nullagine's local welfare arrangements will similarly be undertaken through the Local Emergency Management Committee to address issues and concerns raised.
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(a - i) Yes
(j) Yes. The cyclonic conditions drove rain under door seals and into the passageways. Appropriate solutions such as 'sandbagging' to waterproof external doors will be considered as part of the review of local welfare arrangements.
(k - l) Yes
(m) Yes. One person with special needs was identified and arrangements were put in place to cater for requirements that could not be met at the police facility.
(n - o) Yes
(p) Yes. FESA is undertaking a formal debrief of Tropical Cyclone Lua involving all key stakeholders. A review of Nullagine's local welfare arrangements will similarly be undertaken through the Local Emergency Management Committee to address issues and concerns raised.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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