Deployment – NORTHWEST Outreach September 2024

DEPLOYMENT DATE: September 2024 – Ongoing

LOCATION: Various locations across the Northwest

Map – Power outages – TasNetworks.

SITUATION UPDATE

Following Severe weather events – power has been out over a number of areas statewide causing significant concern for the wellbeing of Tasmanian community members.

TCCEM have been activated by Recovery Tasmania To conduct outreach in the Northwest for those affected by long term power outages. “Given the likelihood of prolonged power outages in the N/NW, Recovery Tas have identified the need for outreach in targeted areas to collect information about need, link people with services and provide PFA. There are increased reports of people starting to make unsafe decisions and there are concerns about isolated or vulnerable residents without power for extended periods of time etc”

TCCEM teams will assist with outreach in the community. This will continue to involve visiting targeted properties and areas, in-person, in TCCEM teams of at least 2 or more.

PHONE OUTREACH

TCCEM has been activated to provide telephone outreach to identified affected people and areas in addition to the current outreach procedures.

TCCEM will receive personal information including telephone numbers and make calls in lieu of in-person visits.

Grants Update

Temporary Living Support Grant

This grant is to meet temporary living expenses beyond normal day to day expenses where the principal place of residence has been without power for 7 days or more and/or is uninhabitable due to damage.

For: Tasmanians whose principal place of residence have gone without power for 7 days or more, or who cannot live in their principal place of residence because it has been damaged by the August/September storms and floods.

Amount: Grants funds of $2,000 for any one household. A grant is available for each 7-day period your household is without power.

You can receive this grant even if you have previously received an Emergency Food Grant.

Applications will open Monday 9 September 2024 at 2pm.

More information: www.tasrecovery.com

OUTREACH DATES: September 2024 – ongoing

MISSION – Purpose / Goal of this deployment.

To provide outreach in key affected areas of the power outage to Provide PFA and Personal Support for affected people and assess needs as per DPAC activation request:

1. Collect data to inform needs assessment, including immediate concerns related to a lack of power, water or heating
2. Provide Psychological First Aid
3. Share information about services and supports available
4. Provide referrals to service providers or councils (where appropriate)
5. Provide referrals for an Emergency Food Grant (where higher-level assistance is needed).

The expectation around point 5 is that if volunteers can see that a resident is unable to make an application for an Emergency Food Grant independently (either in their home, or by travelling to friends/family or Service Tas / Libraries Tas site to apply), the volunteer can offer to pass their details on (name, address, phone number) to the DPAC Community Grants team. A grants team member will then later contact the resident to assist them to apply.

EXECUTION – Arrangements for the deployment

Lead agency: DPAC

Shift Times: 9m to 4pm

Travel arrangements – By own vehicle

Team Meeting place: TBD by each pair

Briefing:

• Check with your Team Leader for any specific details / engagements
• Check the Go-Kit for resources
• Check Council Sign-in requirements for volunteers at the Evacuation Centre

Team tasks/ roles

• Sign in on ‘sign-in’ sheet as per GO-Kit
• GO-Kit is being kept at the PCYC reception where volunteers sign in
• Provide PFA as required
  • Updated Questions:Questions you could ask people now who have been there for a few days:
    • Where are things up to for you? (Could have an emotional or situational response)
    • How are you sitting with the latest updates?
    • Do you have family / friends? Are they going ok?
    • Do you have a plan? OR what are your plans from here?
    • What do you need right now?
• Assist with other support activities
• Fill in shift information sheets and forward by email or phone to regional coordinator or deputy.

End Shift:

• Debrief with your Team Leader
• Advise your team leader of your ETA at your next destination
• Complete the Online ‘END SHIFT‘ Form
• Seek Support and Engage in Self Care

ADMINISTRATION    

(Vests / ID / TCC EM clothing / reporting forms / maps / radios / pens etc / accommodation)

• ID Cards must be worn
• Tabards are available in the Go-Kit
• Go-Kit is being kept at Devonport Chaplaincy – to be collected Saturday morning
• Spare paper TCCEM forms are in the Go-Kit
• We will provide the following as soon as possible to teams conducting outreach.
  • • Maps and details of priority areas
    • A data collection form
    • A consent disclaimer
    • An information sheet re available services and referral pathways
    • Standard referral form
    • Additional volunteer briefing notes

COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS

Privacy / confidentiality / safety / self-care / reporting process / information flow

• Please be aware of confidentiality issues in a public space and if you are collecting personal information
• Please ensure you take protective clothing (e.g. closed shoes etc.) and sunscreen, etc.
• Please look after yourself and take appropriate breaks and drinks etc.
• Please call your Regional Coordinator or deputy if you have any concerns or issues

SAFETY & MEDICAL

Driving – Please take care on the roads. We don’t want volunteers to be in any danger, particularly noting that some areas may potentially still have power lines down. Any powerlines on the ground should be assumed to be live and avoided.Advice from TasNetworks is to stay at least 10 metres away and to call them on 132 004 to report the line, or call 000 for emergency assistance. Please encourage volunteers to be aware of risks and take the advice of emergency services.If you collect people’s personal information, please be mindful of the safe and confidential handling of that information.

Sign-in & out – Please let Margaret Savage know when you leave home and please ensure you use the ‘END SHIFT’ button on the online form when yu have finished.

General Safety

• Please look after yourself and take appropriate breaks and drinks etc.
• Off-site Personnel movements – report / permission / safety considerations

Maintain Situational Awareness – especially around people’s home and on their property. Be careful of animals and dogs.

Injuries, WH&S incidents, hazards and near misses are to be reported

Please Call 000 if there is an emergency!

SUMMARY

This outreach is to support local communities without power following the extreme weather event. DPAC Is looking for specific information regarding local needs.

Deployment Map:

Location:

Deployment locations

Tewkesbury and Hampshire  as per below:

Tewkesbury

We don’t know exactly where the power outages were, but we could start with a focus on the following and adjust based on feedback from local residents

From the intersection of Oonah Rd and Guide Rd down to roughly 1458 Oonah Rd.

It also branches off to

Coppins Rd as far as no. 184

St Mary’s Rd as far as no. 119

Liapota Rd as far as no. 169

Accessing to Tewkesbury via Guide Rd or Talunah Rd

Hampshire

We don’t know exactly where the power outages were, but we could start with a focus on the following and adjust based on feedback from local residents

From the where the Melba line cross the Ridgley Hwy (around 2171 Ridgely Hwy) to about 2490 Ridgley Hwy.

It also branches off to

Talunah Rd as far as Batzek Rd