The Lismore App series about 'Flood Readiness - Are Better Prepared?' moves to Part 3 today, which involves the Richmond Police District and Fire & Rescue.

This series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.

So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next.

***

Typically, when an emergency arises, it is the Police or Fire and Rescue we call, to respond to an incident when it arises. However, when the incident is as large as the February 2022 flood, how is the chain of command affected? What happens to their traditional roles? and how do they serve the people of Lismore during a natural disaster?

From the Lismore Police Department, Superintendent of the Richmond Police District, Scott Tanner answered our questions on Flood Readiness.

Has the police response changed in regard to emergency flood situations since the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry?

A thorough review was undertaken by NSW Police post flood. This led to internal structural changes with the creation of a Deputy Commissioner – Emergency Management and additional resources in our Emergency Management Unit. We have increased our training of senior police who undertake the role of Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) who now undertake a specific series of courses that upskill them in all facets of emergency management. Our Police Rescue Unit have also increased their capability with extra personnel and equipment, specifically around flood rescue.

How will the experience of someone requiring assistance from the police be different in the next major flood event?

Police are very forward leaning in regards to all emergency management situations. We will pre-deploy resources a lot quicker with specialist resources in place prior to any flooding event. Police will take a greater lead role in the management of evacuation centres with our other functional area partners.

Is there now a written disaster plan to consult?

NSW Police, and all emergency services partners operate under the State Emergency Management Act, which sets out the powers and responsibilities for agencies in emergencies. Each Local Emergency Management area has plans for risks in their particular area. This includes floods, fires, pandemic, drought etc. The plans for the Northern Rivers areas have been comprehensively reviewed by all emergency management partners and functional area partners and updated/amended where required. The work undertaken by the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) is the best I have seen in 31 years of policing. The knowledge and preparedness is amongst the best in the state.

What has been done to increase the volume of emergency calls received by the 000 during a disaster?

The flood event in Feb 2022 was unprecedented and this has been reported on extensively. On the 28th of February 2022, we received 2500 priority calls. At that time, the volume had not been experienced before. The Telecommunications Authority, who have responsibility for the 000 network are best placed to advise on the technical solutions. Internally, as part of our local and state plans, we deploy extra staff into our communications centre to be ready for the additional calls.

What were the Police’s top duties during the 2022 floods? Will this change in the next flood? 

Firstly, our duties were to support the combat agency, being NSW SES. This involved preparedness in evacuations, information and warnings. Once the event unfolded we had police in civilian boats, and their own personal boats, conducting rescues. We coordinated the whole of agency approach around evacuation centres, resupply of stranded persons, safety of persons and properties. Once we entered the recovery we undertook the lead role in coordinating the cleanup. These duties will not change in future events. NSW Police will either lead or support the combat agency through response to recovery.

What were the largest issues police were dealing with both during and after the floods? What has been done to alleviate these stresses in future flood events?

Crime did become an issue with an increase in stealing and break and enters. Over the 6 month period post flood we deployed an extra 1500 police to the Northern Rivers to assist us in maintaining law and order and assisting in the recovery operations. We now have a formalised structure where we can redeploy people and assets to an area prior to, during and after an event. The lessons learnt in Lismore allowed a smoother response and recovery operation in the Sydney Metro and Central West floods later in 2022.

Householders often used their concern of thieves looting a vacated house, as a reason for not leaving their homes when flooding - have further measures been taken to prevent this crime in the future?

First and foremost, if lives are at risk, people must evacuate. No amount of property is worth losing your life over. As discussed, we have flexibility and systems in place now to deploy greater resource numbers in a quicker response time.

What will be the protocol for citizens taking on rescue responsibilities or spontaneous volunteers, such as seen in Tinnie Heroes, in the future?  

Since the flood we have held extensive consultation with community and community groups around their response and assistance in emergency situations. Without a doubt, if it had not been for community minded people stepping up in the hour of need then the loss of life would have been far greater. We have established Community Resilient Networks (CRN) across the Northern Rivers who inform us of the risks within their respective communities. It also gives us a capability understanding of who and what are available in the community to assist. The CRN feeds information into the Community Resilience Officer (CRO) who is employed by local councils. The CRO has a direct link in to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC). In times of emergency the information flows both ways. The CRN is a vital part of our preparedness, response and recovery in emergency management.

Under what conditions should a member of the public under flood duress call the police? 

If a member of the public is in danger then 000 is the best number to call. Dependant on what the danger is the 000 operator will refer the call to the appropriate agency ie. Police, Ambulance, SES etc. For general information in a flood then the SES are the best contact on 132500

__

A spokesperson from Fire and Rescue supplied us with information about their experiences over the last couple of years.

How does the Fire and Rescue see its place in assisting during floods?

FRNSW responds locally and with expert In-Water personnel, as requested by any SES-led flood response. FRNSW can also assist with Incident Management Specialists, flood clean-ups in local communities, bulk water transfers and damage assessments via drones and ground crews, as required. The SES is the lead combat agency for Flood Response, but generally not flood rescues. 

Has this changed since the 2022 floods? If so, how?

No, there were no recommendations made in relation to FRNSW, arising from inquiries into the 2022 floods. Our operations were very well managed, albeit in sometimes challenging environments.

Who does F and R communicate with in emergency situations?

FRNSW communicates with all emergency agencies, depending on the type of crisis, including NSW Police and NSW Ambulance, SES, Rural Fire Service, VRA and utility companies.

Are people able to contact their local F and R if they can't get through to the Police or SES?

Yes, they can call Triple-Zero (000) in case of emergency and ask for Fire and Rescue. As mentioned, our two Communications Centres in Alexandria and Newcastle are in regular touch with their Police, SES, RFS, Ambulance and other first response counterparts.

How will the experience of someone requiring assistance be different in the next major flood event?

FRNSW has trained an additional 200 (350 in total) In-Water rescue technicians since the 2022 flood events. Over the past couple of years, FRNSW’s expertise has been recognised with a prestigious Higgins and Langley water rescue award (American global award) for our teams’ efforts in flood disasters on the north coast in 2021. FRNSW has also received significant funding from the State Govt in the wake of the 2022 floods to purchase more equipment, including:

• 12 inflatable motorised rescue boats
• high clearance vehicles used to reach stranded communities
• 3 additional high-volume water pumps and added capacity for bulk water transfer
• multi-agency flood rescue kits for fire trucks
• Personal Flotation Devices and portable radios for in-water technicians
• new high-performance wetsuits.

Other stories in the Flood Readiness series include:

Part 1 Essential Energy 

Part 2 Communications - Telstra and Optus

Part 2 continued Communications - TPG Telecom and nbn