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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8: Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 This Environmental Health Sub-plan is a strategic approach plan of the Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan and has been endorsed by the Brisbane City Local Disaster Management Group (Brisbane LDMG). References Table 1 summarises a comprehensive, but not exhaustive list of the many inter-related documents that provide authority for Council’s Environmental Health Sub-plan. Table 1: Environmental Health Reference List References A The Queensland Disaster Management Act 2003, current approved edition B Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan, current approved edition C Queensland Health, (2005), Central Public Health Unit Network - Disaster Management Plan, Queensland Government D Emergency Management Australia, (1999), Australian Emergency Manual Series, Australian Government. E World Health Organisation (2002), Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disaster – A practical guide F Brisbane City Council Brisbane Incident Management System (BIMS) G Australian Red Cross (2012), Preferred Sheltering Practices for Emergency Sheltering in Australia H Queensland Local Disaster Management Guidelines, current approved edition Page i of ii Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Table of Contents References ...................................................................................................................................... i 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Audience ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Custodian .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Authority ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Aim ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1.5 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.6 Supporting Documents .......................................................................................................... 3 2.0 Vulnerability And Capacity Assessment ........................................................................... 4 2.1 Hazard Identification.............................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Environmental Health risk assessment .................................................................................. 4 3.0 Prevention And Mitigation .................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Risk Mitigation ....................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Preparedness ........................................................................................................................ 5 4.0 Emergency Response ......................................................................................................... 6 4.1 Activation of Environmental Health Sub-plan ......................................................................... 6 4.2 Coordination and Control....................................................................................................... 6 4.3 Recall of Personnel After Hours ............................................................................................ 7 4.4 Debriefing the Incident .......................................................................................................... 7 Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 8 Appendix 1 - Environmental Health Threats .................................................................................... 9 Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation ................................................ 11 Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities ..................................... 12 Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................... 14 Page ii of ii Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 1.0 Introduction Environmental health is concerned with the investigation, assessment, and management of the physical, chemical, biological, and social factors in our environment that have the potential to impact upon human health and wellbeing. In managing these factors, environmental health focuses on creating and maintaining sustainable environments that permit human development, enhance human health and wellbeing, and ensure environmental protection. During hazardous and disaster events, there is a range of environmental health issues that may need to be addressed including: Food safety; Water safety; Emergency shelters; Waste and excreta disposal; Personal hygiene; Vector control; Disposal of dead; Infectious diseases; Dangerous goods; and Environmental pollution. Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan outlines Council’s need for thorough planning in the prevention, preparation for, response to and recovery from hazardous and disaster events. This Environmental Health Sub-plan (EHSP) focuses on managing the environmental health risks that have the potential to affect Brisbane and South East Queensland as a result of hazardous and disaster events. The EHSP has been prepared as a functional support plan for, and must be read and interpreted in conjunction with, Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan. 1.1 Audience This EHSP has been prepared for Council, the Lord Mayor, the Brisbane LDMG, Council business units, the Local Disaster Coordination Centre and key external stakeholders. 1.2 Custodian The Manager, Disaster Management Office (MDMO), on behalf of Council, is the custodian of this EHSP. The custodian has the responsibility for implementing, evaluating, testing, reviewing and updating this plan. The custodian is also to ensure proper quality, security, integrity, consistency, privacy, confidentiality and accessibility of the plan. The Custodian’s contact details are: Title: Manager, Disaster Management Office Contact: +61 7 3403 8888 1.3 Authority Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan and this Environmental Health Sub-plan have been developed pursuant to the Disaster Management Act. Council environmental health practitioners have been authorised through their appointment and delegation to undertake certain roles and responsibilities in relation to the legislated functions and powers of Council. Page 1 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Council personnel delegated this authority to include officers holding any of the following positions: Principal Officer Environmental Health; Environmental Health Team Leader; Senior Environmental Health Officer; Environmental Health Officer; and City Standards Manager. Key legislation covering functions, powers and authorisations of environmental health practitioners is included in the following Acts (and their subordinate Regulations): City of Brisbane Act 2010; Environmental Protection Act 1994; Food Act 2006; Public Health Act 2005; Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003; and Any relevant Brisbane City Council local laws and ordinances. In the event of a disaster the chairperson of the Queensland Disaster Management Committee or District Disaster Management Group may authorise any or all of Council’s environmental health practitioners or officers of other disciplines to exercise declared disaster powers for a disaster situation. In such a situation the following legislation applies: 1.4 Disaster Management Act 2003 (Qld); and Public Safety Preservation Act 1986. Aim The EHSP aims to mitigate and manage potential, imminent or actual environmental health risks within Brisbane and South East Queensland before, during, and after hazardous and disaster events. 1.5 Objectives The mitigation and management of environmental health risks shall be achieved by: a. Delivering best practice environmental health services using preventative principles; b. Planning and preparing for an environmental health response to hazardous or disaster events; c. Integrating Council’s environmental health resources with other stakeholders; d. Delivering a timely and effective environmental health response during and after a hazardous or disaster event; e. Providing advice, assistance and action with regard to environmental health risks before, during and after a hazardous or disaster event; and f. Ensuring recovery strategies manage both the short- and long-term environmental health risks and restore the community’s capability to mitigate these risks quickly and effectively with appropriate regard to the type of hazardous or disaster event that has occurred. Page 2 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 1.6 Supporting Documents The EHSP shall be supported by the following documents: Environmental Health Incident Response Log; Environmental Health Incident and Disaster Response Standard Operating Procedure; and EP026 – Pollution Incident Response Procedure. Page 3 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 2.0 2.1 Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Hazard Identification In relation to the EHSP, a hazardous or disaster event creates environmental health risks directly through either a short- or long-term disruption to basic services (such as potable water supply, sanitation, waste management services and/or power supply) and/or through damage to critical infrastructure, businesses (particularly regulated businesses) and/or dwellings (particularly dwellings of high risk populations). Identified hazards that create or magnify environmental health risks include: Fire (including bushfire); Flood; Earthquake; Communicable disease outbreak; Acts of terror; Contaminated water supply; Food-borne illness; Dangerous goods incidents; Disruption to essential infrastructure (power, water, sewerage); Environmental contamination; and Riot or other significant public disorder. Council acknowledges the risks that particular hazards present and these have been addressed in this sub-plan as specific environmental health threats. It is acknowledged that not all threats can be known and as such this sub-plan ensures that key issues in responding to environmental health emergencies are identified and practised. (Refer to Appendix 1.) 2.2 Environmental Health risk assessment The qualitative risk assessment located in Chapter 1 of the Local Disaster Management Plan informs Council’s Environmental Health Disaster Management arrangements. It provides a descriptive measure of the likelihood, consequence and overall risk rating of natural disasters and non-natural disasters that may affect the city of Brisbane. The model that underpins the emergency risk management process is based on the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004 for risk management. In addition to the qualitative risk assessment in Chapter 1, Appendix 1 provides a list of environmental health impacts that are a direct or indirect result of a hazardous or disaster event. It can be used to trigger environmental health mitigation procedures for a particular type of event. Page 4 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 3.0 3.1 Prevention and Mitigation Risk Mitigation Risk mitigation involves measures taken in advance of a disaster aimed at decreasing or eliminating its impacts on society and the environment. Environmental health prevention and mitigation involves regulatory and physical measures to ensure that emergencies are prevented, or their effects are mitigated. A list of environmental health threats are provided in Appendix 1 with possible mitigation procedures listed in the table in Appendix 2. Training in disaster management and participation in annual exercises will be provided to enhance Council’s Environmental Health Officers capability and preparedness for disaster events. The Environmental Health SOP can be used as a resource to further direct mitigation strategies. 3.2 Preparedness Training and Exercises Training and exercises shall be undertaken to ensure that all relevant personnel are familiar with the EHSP and any related policies and procedures. Training: Training shall be undertaken on an annual basis. All environmental health practitioners shall be trained in general disaster management, the EHSP and subordinate procedures. Training must ensure that the officers are able to understand the EHSP and use the relevant procedures effectively. A record of training shall be maintained. Page 5 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 4.0 4.1 Emergency Response Activation of Environmental Health Sub-plan If required, the EHSP will be activated automatically by the Local Disaster Management Plan or on direction from the Lord Mayor, the CEO, or Brisbane LDMG. The Brisbane LDMG will then direct the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) to notify the relevant personnel of the activation of the Plan. 4.2 Coordination and Control When the EHSP is activated, environmental health responses will be controlled by the Branch Manager, CARS or Local Disaster Coordination Centre and coordinated by City Standards Manager and Environmental Health Team Leaders. The Principal Officer, Environmental Health acts in an advisory capacity for complex issues. Figure 1 indicates the chain of command when this Sub-plan is activated. Command and control of teams in the field will rest with City Standards Manager or the Environmental Health Team Leaders unless otherwise specified by the MDMO, Manager CARS, or Principal Officer Environmental Health. Brisbane LDMG LDCC Intelligence Manager LDCC Incident Controller CARS Liaison Officer Branch Manager CARS Principal Environmental Health Officer City Standards Manager & City Safety & Enforcement Manager Environmental Health Team Leader / Senior EHO Environmental Health Officer Figure 1: Chain of Command for the Environmental Health Sub-plan Page 6 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 4.3 Recall of Personnel After Hours When the EHSP is activated, environmental health personnel may be recalled to provide sufficient resources to deal with the event. If a minor hazardous or disaster event (level 1 or 2) activation occurs at a regional level (e.g. minor pollution incident), the on-call Environmental Health Incident duty officer will respond to the event. If additional resources are required then the on-call escalation manager is to be contacted. If a major hazardous or disaster event happens, e.g. major chemical spill (level 3 or 4 activation), the LDCC will inform the Manager CARS who in turn will inform the City Standards Manager of staff requirements. Refer to Section 1 for more detail on activation levels. Staff will be contacted via the call centre or staff contact list and instructed to attend a designated rally point. The Manager CARS, Principal Officer Environmental Health and Team Leaders are to have in their possession an up-to-date copy of staff contact details. 4.4 Debriefing the Incident On completion of the event, a debriefing should be conducted at the earliest possible time (no more than 14 days after the event). Environmental Health Team Leaders are to gather environmental health staff together to consolidate information contained in the Environmental Health Incident Response Log together with any additional observations or comments. Consolidated information is to be developed into a report that will subsequently be passed up the chain of command for comment and stored at Business Improvement and Strategy, Environmental Health for reviewing purposes and disseminated to the LDCC as required. While a verbal report and debriefing may meet immediate needs, a written report of the main findings should be prepared for record keeping and reviewing. Those involved in the debriefing are encouraged to offer constructive criticism and recommendations for improvement. In some instances information may be of a sensitive nature, in these instances a one-on-one debriefing may be required. Page 7 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Appendices Appendix 1 – Environmental Health Threats Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations Page 8 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Appendix 1 - Environmental Health Threats Impacts Food Water Shelter Disease Public health Environment Controlled activities Public safety Storm tide Flood Fire Threat Storm or cyclone Hazardous material incident Infectious diseases (animal) Infectious diseases (human) Pollution incidents Earthquakes Loss of power Loss of sewerage Loss of water Terrorism Environmental health threats relevant to other work units or agencies Water Infectious Disease Refuse Disposal (Contractor) Vermin and pest control (VAPS) Disposal of dead animals (BCC FSG) Removal of Human Remains (Qld Police) Safe Disposal of Hazardous material (QUU) (Qld Health & Biosecurity) Storm or cyclone Storm tide Flood Fire Hazardous material incident Infectious diseases (animal) Infectious diseases (human) Pollution incidents Earthquakes Loss of power (QFES & EHP) Page 9 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Water Infectious Disease Refuse Disposal (Contractor) (QUU) (Qld Health & Biosecurity) Loss of water Terrorism Loss sewerage of Vermin and pest control (VAPS) Disposal of dead animals (BCC FSG) Removal of Human Remains (Qld Police) Safe Disposal of Hazardous material (QFES & EHP) Page 10 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation ISSUE MITIGATION Water Public education/information Media release (water supply/contamination, water sources, water treatment) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Investigate, manage, monitor and control Food Public education/information Media release (food preparation, hygiene, damaged foods and food donations) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Increase surveillance, inspections and implement controls Shelter Public education/information Media release (access to shelters and what to bring) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs / The Red Cross Preferred Sheltering Practices for Emergency Sheltering in Australia Monitor and advise environmental health controls Sanitation Public education/information Media release (clean and healthy living and advice following sewage contamination) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Monitor and advise on sewage containment and disinfection. Hygiene Public education/information Media release (advice to workers and affected people to prevent the spread of disease) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Education and advice on how to practise good personal hygiene Waste Public education/information Media release (waste management, siting of refuse bins and additional arrangements) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Monitoring and advice on general and regulated waste collection and removal options Vermin & vectors Public education/information Media release (potential breeding and harbourage) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Assist/increase with vermin and vector control measures as required. Communicable disease control Public education/information Media release (targeted public information campaigns) EHO resources Environmental Health SOPs Education and advice on quarantine and social isolation strategies to limit impacts. Page 11 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities Organisation or Position Roles and Responsibilities Brisbane City Local Disaster Management Group (Brisbane LDMG) The Brisbane LDMG is the committee that oversees the development and implementation of Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan. Responsibilities: Coordinate Council’s response and recovery efforts by ensuring an all agency approach with a high level of cooperation; Ensure the plan is current; and Ensure the plan is reviewed and tested and that disaster management capabilities are integrated. Local Disaster Coordination Centre The LDCC is the focal point for the collection, collation and dissemination of incident-related information to relevant Council Officers and the executive and political arms of Council. Under direction from the Brisbane LDMG, the LDCC coordinates Council’s operational activities and maintains liaison with external stakeholders. Manager Compliance and Regulatory Services (CARS) Responsibilities: City Standards Manager and City Safety & Enforcement Manager Principal Officer Environmental Health Ensure the most efficient and effective use of available CARS’ resources in the event of a disaster Work in conjunction with the LDCC and other agencies involved in disaster response to protect and maintain the health of the community. The City Standards Manager and City Safety and Enforcement Manager report to the Branch Manager Compliance and Regulatory Services. Responsibilities: Develop and maintain strategies to ensure consistent and optimal delivery of CARS’ operational functions across regions; Manage the delivery of CARS’ operational functions, ensuring that Council is a fair and impartial regulator; and Managing the human, financial, physical and strategic resources of their respective areas staff together with resolving complex issues. The Principal Officer Environmental Health reports to the Branch Manager CARS. Responsibilities: Work under the direction of the Branch Manager CARS, or their delegate, to assist with resolving environmental health issues; Regularly update the Branch Manager CARS or their delegate on environmental health disaster management matters; and Prepare and disseminate SITREPs and briefing reports for the Branch Manager CARS and/or the LDCC if required. Page 12 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Organisation or Position Environmental Health Team Leaders Senior Environmental Health Officers Environmental Health Officers Other officers and support staff Roles and Responsibilities Environmental Health Team Leaders are responsible for the management and coordination of the environmental health team. They report to the City Standards Manager and Principal Officer Environmental Health. Responsibilities: Provide suitable and timely response to any community health issues as a result of a disaster; Maintain a register of suitably trained Environmental Health Officers in the understanding, practices and principles of environmental health in disaster management; Coordinate and direct the human and physical environmental health resources of the CARS branch; Prepare reports and maintain records of all environmental health issues during and following hazardous or disaster events, including the timely reporting of environmental health SITREPs as necessary; Maintain an after-hours contact list of Council Environmental Health Officers (confidentiality of these is to be ensured); Arrange for a staff relief roster to be drafted and implemented where events/incidents requiring ongoing support exceed five hours; and For major events (activation level 3 and 4) work in collaboration with the Principal Officer Environmental Health to assist with resolving environmental health issues. Senior Environmental Health Officers report to Environmental Health Team Leaders and the Principal Officer Environmental Health. Responsibilities: Ensure continuity and ongoing support within their program areas; Act as an authorised officer and exercise delegated powers for legislation relevant to environmental health; Ensure outcomes comply with relevant legislation; Lead, assist and provide technical advice for Environmental Health Officers within their team; and Be prepared, in the event of a disaster, to assume command responsibilities as delegated. Environmental Health Officers, during and post disaster situations, will be involved in numerous community health situations in a practical, supervisory and advisory role. Responsibilities: Act as an authorised officer and exercise delegated powers for legislation relevant to environmental health; Ensure outcomes comply with relevant legislation; Work in conjunction with numerous interested organisations and groups to achieve desired results; and Document any actions taken in their Environmental Health Incident Response Log. Additional officers and support staff under the Compliance and Regulatory Services Branch of Council may be utilised to provide assistance and technical advice during a hazardous or disaster event. Officers and support staff include but are not limited to Plumbing Officers, Enforcement staff, Operational Support Officers, City Safety Officers and Rapid Response Group (RRG) staff. Page 13 of 14 Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015 Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations BIMS Brisbane Incident Management System Brisbane LDMG Brisbane City Local Disaster Management Group CARS Compliance and Regulatory Services CEO Chief Executive Officer Council Brisbane City Council EHO Environmental Health Officer EHSP Environmental Health Sub-plan FSG Field Services Group LDC Local Disaster Coordinator LDCC Local Disaster Coordination Centre MDMO Manager, Disaster Management Office QFES Queensland Fire and Emergency Services QUU Queensland Urban Utilities SITREP Situation Report SOP Standard Operating Procedure Page 14 of 14