Community Information and Warning System David Blain Newtech Colac 24 November 2005 Spatial Information Infrastructure Department of Sustainability and Environment
@Emergency Management Australia Coode Island Chemical Fire 1991
Drivers: 1991 Coode Island Chemical Fire 1997 Ferny Creek Fires 2003 North East Fires Responses: Ferny Creek Fire Alert Siren 2002 /2003 Coode Island Community Warming and Information System trial and evaluation 2004 Current communication is locality and hazard based How to engage the community quickly with authoritative information? Ensure everyone gets the same message.
1. Proof of concept / Pilot of a system to provide community warning and information 2. Chance to test new technology / (incident location) data transfer (Data Transfer Sub-group) 3. Develop an integrated system with all Emergency Service Organisations and Agencies
Principal Trial Participants
IPND Integrated Public Number Database from all Telecommunications Companies (Use of Phone numbers NOT personal details) Linked to Vicmap Address to provide location Vicmap Admin (Locality) to provide location Use of Ruggedized Laptops, PDAs with remote connections Telstra provided Website Data Transfer as well as a mock operational centre.
2 Stage process.. Automated phone calling; - to direct community to other avenues of communication.. Radio messages, web site, phone number,.. Other; - provision of current/updated information and advice.
Community Information Warning System Call for residents to participate Mt Evelyn : 473 Stawell : 140 Halls Gap : 41 Stawell Halls Gap Mount Evelyn
Data Transfer Sub-Group provided: Context ESO officers developed realistic scenarios Toxic Spill Mount Evelyn Flood Stawell Bushfire Halls Gap Capability. The geocoded points of Vicmap Address cross referenced with IPND phone lists determine which numbers should be called.
Thursday 28th July 2005, 12.18pm... Emergency!.. Overturned chemical tanker Toxic cloud moving towards Mount Evelyn!
On-site incident controllers can transfer data to the control room
A simple polygon created at the field command post identifies the area in question.
Community Information Warning System The polygon is transferred - Simple (address) point in (incident) polygon analysis determines which numbers will be called.
Community Information Warning System Numbers which fail to answer are identified as an address for further follow up.
Community Information Warning System The system is programmed for multiple attempts (up to 3 in this test) before a call is abandoned.
Respondents to the CIWS call are directed to listen to ABC radio, to log-on to a given internet web address or to call a given dedicated emergency response phone number. = It is proposed that each will provide detailed advice and information to safeguard residents.
Wednesday 31st August 2005 (Flood @ Stawell) Tuesday 6th September 2005 (Bushfire @ Halls Gap) Monday 26th September 2005 (Toxic spill @ Mt Evelyn) Other tests without scenario took place during the intervening periods up to 26th September.
Volunteers were asked to respond to the CIWS phone calls by listening to their local ABC radio station A code word was provided during the warning broadcast This code word was recorded in a Log Book and sent back to OESC for verification
Post Trial Volunteers were provided feedback and asked for feedback through community forums OESC is conducting an analysis of all aspects of the trial How the technology was used How it was accepted Contribution to safe decisions and behaviours A draft report will be available in December 2005
Preliminary Conclusions: Proof of Concept Successful GIS and Telecommunications worked together Engaged the community volunteers through Local Government Emergency Service Organisations satisfied with the result Telstra: Provide a Service rather than a product 24 / 7 Operation Vicmap: Reinforces Reliance upon regular supply of Property/ Address/ Roads through Council PIP Relationship
Next Steps: CIWS Trial Report due in December 2005: Future Trials will be required for: Urban Areas Summer Holiday Coastal Areas Suburban Areas / Industrial Areas Schools, Hospitals & High Rise Buildings CALD and Disability Communities CIWS will require an ongoing commitment from government. Further details : www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au www.ngshire.vic.gov.au www.justice.vic.gov.au