There are portable facilities that can be deployed during a state of emergency to provide a degree of privacy, such as toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens. The Australian federal government is investing in deployable emergency shelters that can be used nationwide. During the Australian Government 2023-24 Higher Risk Weather Season National Preparedness Summit Briefing on Sept. 22, emergency managers discussed the emergency shelters and highlighted the increased risk of bushfires and heatwaves due to hot and dry conditions in Australia. The briefing was presented by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), outlining the support the government is offering to state and territory emergency services.
The Director-General of Emergency Management Australia (EMA), Joe Buffone, stated that the new national assets would provide a turnkey solution for affected communities. The deployable disaster shelters can also be utilized by emergency services personnel during disaster recovery efforts. Mr. Buffone mentioned that the Commonwealth would own, store, and deploy these shelters upon request from a state or territory. While the costs are still being determined, discussions are underway with manufacturers, and the shelters will be similar to a mining camp, offering portable facilities with privacy for toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens.
In preparation for the upcoming weather season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will conduct a “stress test” next week in Canberra to evaluate coordination levels and national response capabilities. The test aims to identify any areas in need of improvement and potential gaps in the system. Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General for Emergency Management, stressed the importance of preparedness and highlighted the need for strong institutional arrangements to support communities in their recovery efforts.
NEMA, which celebrated its first anniversary on Sept. 1, has already committed over $3.85 billion in recovery assistance packages, shared with states and territories. They have also begun building Australia’s first national stockpile of critical disaster goods and services, such as emergency shelter, water, and electricity. Furthermore, NEMA has opened an upgraded National Situation Room (NSR) and the National Joint Common Operating Picture, enabling collaboration between government agencies and non-government organizations during a crisis. The agency has introduced a simplified Australian Fire Danger Rating System to help individuals and communities understand the fire risk and take appropriate action.
Recent weather changes, including bushfires, floods, and even mouse plagues, have prompted the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in September 2022 to assist affected communities. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has declared two significant weather events, El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). These events, occurring simultaneously, can result in below-average rainfall and higher temperatures across most of the country. The BoM’s three-month forecast suggests continued warm and dry conditions, especially in eastern Australia. New South Wales (NSW) has already experienced a heatwave warning, with school closures and total fire bans in place. The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) commissioner has described the current risk as the worst since the black summer fires of 2019.
According to the BoM, a return to hotter and drier conditions is expected, and preparations are being made to refine and fine-tune responses to potential hazards. While disasters may not occur, Mr. Moon emphasized the importance of being prepared for any eventuality.