COVID-19 NSW: Bushfire evacuation plans changed, Marg Prendergast reveals

As NSW prepares for more extreme weather conditions this bushfire season, new procedures have been revealed to combat the spread of COVID-19 at gathering points following mass evacuations.

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The horrific Black Summer Fires that rocked regional communities and threatened millions as it raged down on metropolitan Sydney saw the NSW Government spark an emergency response plan that would have seen thousands take refuge at Sydney Olympic Park.

The Disaster Welfare set up last year at Qudos Bank Arena.

Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott revealed Qudos Bank Area would have been a mass evacuation point in an emergency scenario last year.

However, the combined threats of extreme weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic has forced emergency services to rethink the state’s disaster evacuation model — while working to prevent potential evacuation site from becoming COVID-19 mega clusters.

As bushfires already threaten communities on the state’s Mid-North and Central coasts this week — and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced she has been warned to prepare for flooding and extreme weather events — Resilience NSW executive director Marg Prendergast has revealed the government’s coronavirus-adapted playbook when it comes to disaster management.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was told to prepare for extreme weather events this bushfire season. (Photo by Edwina Pickles – Pool/Getty Images)

THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO COMBAT COVID AT EVACUATION SITES

• Emergency evacuation sites would impose strict social distancing
• PPE would be provided to evacuees
• Temperature checks would be conducted at evacuation sites
• The government will notify the public of the available evacuation centres during an emergency

Marg Prendergast, Resilience NSW executive director.

“As always, the first port of call during an evacuation is for evacuees to stay with family and friends,” Ms Prendergast told NewsLocal. “The NSW Government is ready to assist people with emergency accommodation and any other immediate needs should that not be possible.

“If a disaster event requires evacuation centres, we will open them with COVID safe procedures in place, in consultation with NSW Health.”

While the government’s mass evacuation centres are not currently promoted, it is understood hundreds of evacuation centres are still available across the state — despite the threat of the health pandemic.

Surf Lifesaving NSW south coast clubs performing vital evacuation assistance during the Black Summer bushfire crisis. Bermagui Surf Club Evacuation Centre. Source: Supplied by NSW Surf Lifesaving

“Controls include maintaining social distancing and personal hygiene, and the operation of assembly areas outside evacuation centres where evacuees may wait safely in their vehicles or other transport before being moving to an evacuation centre or alternative accommodation,” the Resilience NSW representative said. “Personal Protective Equipment, such as masks, will be used as appropriate at evacuation centres.

“Persons entering evacuation centres may also be screened for symptoms.”

CFA Members work on controlled back burns along Putty Road on November 14, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

The government is preparing to conduct temperature checks and questioning regarding symptoms or previous contact with known cases to potential evacuees this bushfire season, with screening to be carried out at evacuation centres under orders from NSW Health.

The list of possible evacuation centres across the state is strictly confidential.

The same COVID measures will be adopted across all evacuation sites as required, in consultation with NSW Health.

Residents at the evacuation centre at the Bega Showgrounds. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Shaddow Emergency Service spokeswoman Trish Doyle said the NSW Government need to urgently budget for preparedness programs and evacuation sites across the state.

“We need to respect and listen to the boots on the ground — which in most cases are the local councils that serve the communities under threat,” she said.

“There has to be a set of localised frameworks, established by the government and rolled out by the local councils who will offer grassroot support.”