2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                                 Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

19.      Recovery centres and outreach services
The State Government Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is
responsible for the coordination and setting up of Recovery Centres often known as One
Stop Shops. Recovery Centres provide community members with access to a range of
support services offered by government and non-government organisations. These outlets
engage the maximum number of the affected population by providing a unified point of
contact and support to people requiring assistance.

One stop shops are a useful two way conduit of practical help, information and advice. They
can also be a good means of assessing ‘health checks’ on the affected population.
A list of sites in the Noosa local government area that may be used as Recovery Centres is
provided at Appendix 27.4.

The Department of Communities may also provide Outreach Services to address the needs
of those unable to attend recovery centres. Outreach programs are usually based on teams
of recovery workers provided by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability
Services who visit people in their homes and businesses to render assistance and determine
needs. Outreach services are primarily designed to reach those isolated and will likely be a
key strategy for the Noosa area. The LDRC may need to assist the Department in providing
support services for outreach teams e.g. accommodation, local knowledge, etc.


20.      Debrief, review and evaluation
A formal review and evaluation of the recovery effort should be undertaken at the conclusion
of recovery operations. This is usually conducted on Stand Down.

The primary method of undertaking review and evaluation is through the conduct of debriefs
after the event. A debrief in this context is the gathering of relevant stakeholders to review
and discuss and document the learning from the event and the changes that need to be
made to incorporate this learning.5

20.1 Periodic debriefs
Recovery can be a long process and debriefs may be undertaken at any time during the
recovery process for any particular activity. Undertaking periodic debriefs will assist in
capturing recommendations for improvement and may improve ongoing delivery of recovery
services. The LRC, LDRC and Sub-groups will determine the nature and extent of periodic
debriefs during the recovery process as part of ongoing continuous improvement. For
example, a debrief of those involved in facilitating a public forum or community meeting
should be conducted following the activity to determine how to improve for the future.
Periodic debriefs of individual recovery programs and activities are encouraged and should
be promoted by the LRC, LDRC and Sub-groups.

20.2 Final debrief
At the conclusion of recovery operations formal Review and Evaluation processes should be
undertaken of the entire recovery effort. The most effective way of undertaking this overall
review is through a series of debriefs of Local Advisory Groups, Sub-groups and the LDRC
upon Stand Down. Such debriefs should be conducted as close to the conclusion of
recovery operations as possible.

Usually debriefs are conducted from the bottom up meaning that subordinate entities debrief
first and their findings are included in the debrief of the next higher group. On this basis,
debriefs should, where possible, be conducted in the following priority order:

5
  Evaluation can also be taken from assessing the status of action plans and needs analysis over time.
Community input into the debrief, review and evaluation is also important to inform the reporting and look at
improvements for future events.

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