It's the second time this year that volunteers have quickly set up an evacuation centre in Lismore, but according to one volunteer it was because of "luck" and "we need to get better at it.”

When evacuation warnings were issued in Lismore on Monday evening, 56 people went to stay overnight in the evacuation centre at Southern Cross University (SCU). On Tuesday, some of those people left, but others arrived as more evacuation orders were issued across Lismore.

Only one month before this, Lismore experienced its biggest flood in recorded history.

With such close experience to what’s needed in a flood emergency, have we learned from it and even improved on our response?

Lismore local (and ex-Mayor) Jenny Dowell was one of the volunteers involved in setting up the evacuation centre this week – as well as last month.

While the setting up of the SCU evacuation centre happened very quickly this week, Jenny said it was more luck than planned preparation that saw such a speedy response – and she has ideas for improvements to make any future set-ups easier to manage.

What happened this time?

“The previous evacuation centre at SCU had not been totally cleared, so there were mattresses and washed bedding already there,” Jenny said.

“We had about five volunteers help set it up – including Red Cross volunteers and Department of Communities and Justice.

“This time the army was there to help and they brought in stretchers.

“Then we had ten police officers arrive who were briefed by the Red Cross about how they can help and what the role of the Red Cross was in registering people.

“The police helped me set up mattresses and make up the beds. We then wrote on pieces of paper signs saying which beds were free, so people just arriving knew which were taken.

Clothes and beds are ready this week in the SCU evac centre.

Basic set up

“It was a basic set up and due to luck, it was better than last time – and it needed to be.

“There were not enough blankets, but we had basic clothing and towels.

“We made people comfy when they arrived – a few were wet and could have a hot shower and change.

“There was still an urn, biscuits, fruit, long life milk, tea and coffee from the evacuation centre – so people could have a cup of tea when they arrived.

“The Salvos were going back in the day time to provide a hot brekkie for people.

“There were not as many people as last time because a lot had already found other accommodation.

‘Appalling’

Jenny said when the set up of the evacuation centre happened a month ago, it was “appalling”.

She has a list of suggestions about what is needed to be considered in a review of the handling of the evacuation set up.

What happened a month ago?

When the February 28 flood hit Lismore, Jenny was already involved in the SCU evac centre set up. She said Lismore Council rang her to ask if she though a second evac centre was needed.

“We had a lot more people then and I said yes,” Jenny said. “Council then set up GSAC as an evacuation centre a few days later.

What worked and what didn’t?

“They more time to learn what worked and what didn’t – so it was better run.

“They worked out to label beds as being free or taken – that’s why I introduced it again this week.

A scene inside GSAC last month.

The venue – and what’s needed

“The venue has a lot to do with it.

“At SCU this time, we had no wind and rain pouring in at night. A month ago it wasn’t the best venue because there was no electricity or phone coverage. These are basics we need straight away.

“The centre also needs a direct phone number.

“It also needs a social media site to update with what is happening and what is needed.

“We need a dedicated person to answer the phone and they could also do the social media.”

Cruel start

“I made notes and I spoke to the Federal Emergency Services Minister Steph Cook when she was here.

“I thought the first evac centre set up was a cruel start.

“Last month on the Friday night when we started setting up, I asked ‘when is the bedding arriving?’.

Dirty chairs and elderly needs

“We has just cleaned dirty chairs that had been stacked outside and elderly people were arriving

“The person in charge said ‘we are not getting bedding - we don’t want people to be comfortable’.

“I thought at first it was because of Covid concerns. I came home at 10.30pm that night distressed.

“When I came back at 6am the next morning, the elderly couple were still sitting in chairs at 6am.

Future needs

“In future, we need to know who is responsible for food and bedding - and where it is.

“The Red Cross knows its role.

“Why do we have no manual for this set up?

“We’ve done this before and we need to get better at it.”

Covid and evac centre

Jenny said a month ago, Covid positive people were placed in a separate room and one person delivered food and materials to them.

The Lismore App understands that this time, any Covid positive families who arrive at the evacuation centre will be managed by NSW Health.

Once arriving at the centre, people need to let the Red Cross volunteers know – and they will liaise with health and arrange separate accommodation.