OMS 047 - Public Information & Warnings Flashcards
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
When to issue a public information or warning notification?
Ensure a public information or warning notification is issued whenever the provision of information is necessary for the purposes of protecting life or property.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Who authorises Public information and warnings?
Ensure the Incident Controller authorises all requests for public information and warning notifications.
- Consider delegating authorisation of public information and warning notifications to either Deputy Incident Controller or Public Information Officer where the Incident Controller is busy or for large/complex incidents to facilitate rapid communication to the community
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
How to request one?
Request a public information or warning notification in the first instance through the FSCC through the CommCen via dispatch radio.
- Follow up information and requests can be made via the DCC Manager via telephone on 9665 4545
*likely exam question relating to:
Warning names and definitions, both community information and evacuation warnings
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Utilise the appropriate warning where required, relative to the type and severity of the incident, from the following:
EMERGENCY WARNING - issue when the community is in imminent danger of an incident/event and action needs to be taken immediately
WARNING (WATCH & ACT) - Issue when an incident/event is likely to, or is, directly impacting the community and action needs to be taken immediately
ADVICE - Issue to notify the community that an incident/event has occurred that may escalate to impact on life or property. Actions may be recommended for preparedness or vulnerable groups.
ADVICE - ALL CLEAR - Issue when the threat of an incident/event has subsided. An Advice - All Clear is required as a follow-up where an Emergency Warning or Warning (Watch & Act) has been issued.
COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION (INCIDENT) - Issue when an even has potential to create significant community interest, however there is minimal, or no likelihood of impact and no community action is required
or evacuation warnings:
PREPARE TO EVACUATE - Issue when it is recommended that the community should quickly prepare to leave the area. This may include undertaking actions to prepare their family, gather critical items and protect their property.
EVACUATE NOW - Issue when the community is recommended to immediately leave, and processes are in place to evacuate communities. Continue to issue this warning while the evacuation is in place.
SAFE TO RETURN - Issue when it is safe for the community to return to an area after an evacuation.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Utilise the appropriate Evacuation Warning where required when an evacuation is planned. Evacuation Warnings should be considered in consultation with VicPol.
PREPARE TO EVACUATE - Issue when it is recommended that the community should quickly prepare to leave the area. This may include undertaking actions to prepare their family, gather critical items and protect their property.
EVACUATE NOW - Issue when the community is recommended to immediately leave, and processes are in place to evacuate communities. Continue to issue this warning while the evacuation is in place.
SAFE TO RETURN - Issue when it is safe for the community to return to an area after an evacuation.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
EMERGENCY WARNING
EMERGENCY WARNING - issue when the community is in imminent danger of an incident/event and action needs to be taken immediately
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
WARNING (WATCH & ACT)
WARNING (WATCH & ACT) - Issue when an incident/event is likely to, or is, directly impacting the community and action needs to be taken immediately
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
ADVICE
ADVICE - Issue to notify the community that an incident/event has occurred that may escalate to impact on life or property. Actions may be recommended for preparedness or vulnerable groups.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
ADVICE - ALL CLEAR
ADVICE - ALL CLEAR - Issue when the threat of an incident/event has subsided. An Advice - All Clear is required as a follow-up where an Emergency Warning or Warning (Watch & Act) has been issued.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION (INCIDENT)
COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION (INCIDENT) - Issue when an even has potential to create significant community interest, however there is minimal, or no likelihood of impact and no community action is required
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
PREPARE TO EVACUATE
PREPARE TO EVACUATE - Issue when it is recommended that the community should quickly prepare to leave the area. This may include undertaking actions to prepare their family, gather critical items and protect their property.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
EVACUATE NOW
EVACUATE NOW - Issue when the community is recommended to immediately leave, and processes are in place to evacuate communities. Continue to issue this warning while the evacuation is in place.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
SAFE TO RETURN
SAFE TO RETURN - Issue when it is safe for the community to return to an area after an evacuation.
*likely exam question
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Ensure information contained in warnings is critical to assist a person in making decisions during an event. The information should include:
- Incident situation
- Location of incident and affected areas
- Action required
- Additional relevant information such as relief locations, road closures and any incident specific details
*likely exam question
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Ensure the message meets the following attributes
Tailored: Warnings are required to be tailored to include specific details about the emergency and likely or actual impacts on the community. Where possible, use local knowledge.
Timely: Warnings are required to be authorised as a priority, with initial information issued in the shortest time practicable and updates provided in a timely manner. Warnings should be updated regularly or as the situation changes.
Relevant: Warnings are required to contain explicit information in relation to severity, location, predicted direction and the likelihood of impact on communities. Advice on protective actions for the community to undertake should be relevant to the incident and community.
Accessible: Warnings are required to be provided through multiple channels. Warnings should be written in plain language.
OMS 047
Public Information & Warnings
Transition to recovery
Ensure that any published public information or warning notification is reviewed in a timely manner. DCC Managers are to consult with Incident Controllers/authorising officers to ascertain if a notification required upgrading, downgrading or un-publishing.
- Ensure that any warning notification where the community has been advised to take actions is followed by the issuing of an ‘Advice - All Clear’ and/or ‘Safe to Return’ notification.
