Disaster Recovery

Preparedness

Preparing before the disaster occurs will ensure responders are well-equipped and communities are aware of potential hazards and how to respond to them. This involves activities such as:

• Developing emergency response plans
• Conducting risk assessments
• Training personnel
• Stockpiling necessary supplies and equipment
• Engaging in public education
• Awareness campaigns

Mitigation

Mitigation involves measures taken to reduce the impact of disasters and, where possible, minimise their occurrence.

• Implementing building codes and regulations
• Improving infrastructure resilience
• Conducting hazard mapping and land-use planning
• Promoting insurance and risk reduction strategies
• Undertaking environmental protection initiatives

Response

Response refers to the immediate actions taken during and immediately after an emergency or disaster. It involves:

• Mobilising emergency personnel
• Activating emergency operations centres
• Conducting search and rescue operations
• Providing medical assistance
• Evacuating affected areas
• Establishing emergency shelters.

The response phase focuses on saving lives, stabilising the situation, and meeting the immediate needs of affected individuals.

Recovery

Recovery encompasses the activities and efforts to restore the community and its infrastructure to a pre-disaster state or a new, more resilient state. It involves:

• Assessing damage
• Providing temporary housing Restoring utilities and services
• Assisting in the rebuilding of infrastructure
• Supporting economic recovery
• Providing emotional and psychological support to affected individuals.

The recovery phase aims to facilitate long-term recovery and the return to normalcy.

Prevention

Prevention refers to measures taken to avoid the occurrence of emergencies or disasters. It includes activities such as:

• Monitoring and early warning systems
• Public health surveillance Fire prevention measures
• Public safety campaigns. Prevention efforts aim to identify potential hazards, reduce vulnerabilities, and minimize the likelihood of emergencies.

SCAADA see their role as being the key partner in supporting LGAs through all stages of a disaster. The LGA and representatives of the organization will always rely on front-line responders amid an emergency. However, it’s the background and next steps that are critical in getting the community back to normal with a minimal amount of impact.

Risk

ECOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL

• Habitat
• Destruction
• Loss of Flora and Fauna
• Soil Erosion
• Water Degradation
• Air Quality
• Degradation
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Loss of Carbon Storage
• Altered Hydrological Processes

Response

Scaada focuses on providing environmental control assistance, managing affected areas, and establishing emergency control provisions. The response phase prevents major environmental fallout, stabilises the situation, and meets the immediate needs of affected areas. SCAADA reacts promptly when the disaster has occurred.

Fire, Flood & Storm

Fires, floods and storms have significant and wide-ranging impacts on the environment, communities and economies. These impacts can be both immediate and long-term. These disasters vary in severity depending on the size, intensity and it’s duration. Some of the key impacts of a disaster include:

1. Loss of Human Life
2. Property Damage
3. Economic Loss
4. Environmental Damage
5. Displacement of People
6. Health Risks
7. Agricultural Losses
8. Air Quality
9. Water Quality
10. Psychological and Social Impact
11. Infrastructure
12. Interference with Energy Supply
13. Long-Term Erosion and Soil Degradation
14. Loss of Biodiversity
15. Increased Risk of Future Fires
16. Smoke Haze
17. Impact on Indigenous Communities
18. Disruption of Education
19. Long-Term Recovery and Rebuilding

Stress Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of bushfires in many parts of the world, making these impacts more severe and challenging to manage. Mitigation efforts, early warning systems, and community preparedness are essential to reducing the impact of bushfires.