appendix 1 – signage details - lga.sa.gov.au€¦ · web viewjoint operating guideline jog -...

DRAFT for LG Consultation – DUE 31/10/19 See final page for submission instructions

Joint Operating Guideline JOG - 02Community Sandbag Facilities / LocationsVersion 1.0 Date of JOG 01/10/2019 Review Date 01/11/2020

Partner Agency SA State Emergency Service

Purpose

The State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) designates the State Emergency Service (SES) as the ‘Control Agency’ for flooding in South Australia. As part of the plan to mitigate the impacts of flooding, the SES is developing the concept of providing access to sandbags, and where available, sandbagging facilities to communities likely to be impacted by severe flooding. The intent is to have a number of designated ‘Community Sandbag Locations’ around the state and for the SES to inform the community of these locations when they are setup and operational prior to and during a flooding event.

Local Government (Councils) are generally well placed to support their community and the SES via this initiative and MAY choose to establish one or more Community Sandbag Locations in their council area.

The purpose of this JOG is to establish the essential criteria for designating a site as a Community Sandbag Location and to provide Councils with standard guidelines for the provision, coordination and operation of these facilities.

The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure a coordinated approach between the SES and Local Government and to enable the SES to promptly issue information about Community Sandbag Locations to communities likely to be affected by flooding. As a result, providing maximum time for the community to prepare for imminent flooding.

Scope

The concept of providing access to sandbags via Community Sandbag Locations is an initiative of the State Emergency Service (SES). Sites selected as Community Sandbag Locations are designated by the SES on a risk-based basis. A range of locations provided by a range of agencies may be designated by the SES as Community Sandbag Locations. As result, the fact that a council facility may be a designated site, does not mean that all councils will have a designated site.

These guidelines are about the provision of designated Community Sandbag Locations and does not include sandbags or sandbagging facilities which may be provided by councils to residents in their area - for example sandbagging undertaken by council staff to protect known vulnerable residents/assets. Furthermore, these guidelines do not consider sandbagging of council property or community property by council staff.

These guidelines are designed to operate based on a voluntary and cooperative environment between councils and the SES. The Guidelines do not apply in circumstances where a council is given a ‘Directive’ by the SES.

LGA of SA ECM XXXXX < File Name > of 6


KeyPrinciples

Local Government (Councils) play a fundamental enabling role in emergency management due to their strong relationship with their local community networks and knowledge of known risks and locally available resources. Local Government (Councils) have responsibilities, in partnership with State Government Agencies, to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of their communities by participating in local emergency management arrangements.

While Local Government (Councils) aim to operate within a voluntary and cooperative environment with the control agencies, councils have the right to refuse any request made by a control agency, based on the following limitations:

Resource availability; Risk & Safety Assessment carried out in relation to hazards or identified risks; Other Community needs; Other factors considered by the council.

Prior to nominating a site as a potential Community Sandbag Location, councils shall undertake a Risk Assessment on the site in accordance with their normal internal risk assessment processes.

Details

Within the scope of these Guidelines, councils may elect to provide one or more Community Sandbag Location within their area, based on the three ‘Levels of Service’ outlined below. All sites nominated by council require the approval of the SES prior to being designated as a Community Sandbag Location/s. Once nominated and designated, the level of service offered by a council forms the minimum level that will be available at all times. While additional assistance MAY be provided by the council during severe weather or flooding, this is not mandatory.

Community Sandbag Location – Level 1 (CSBL-1): (this is the minimum level)

CSBL-1 sites must have adequate public liability insurance, ample space for safe access and egress of community members (without unduly restricting traffic) and sufficient space for parking, filling and loading sandbags. Once established and operational, these sites will be available to the public on a ‘self-help’ basis. While the opening hours will be nominated by the council, the council may elect to have them attended by council staff during normal business hours only. Initial and ongoing sand and sandbags for these sites will be provided by the SES.

Community Sandbag Location – Level 2 (CSBL-2):

As a minimum, CSBL-1 services will be provided at these sites. In addition, council will supply the initial stock of sand and sand bags for this site. SES will be required to restock the sand and sandbags after initial stock is used. Council will attend and monitor these sites during normal business hours and advise the SES of stock requirements.

Community Sandbag Location – Level 3 (CSBL-3):

As a minimum, CSBL-1 & 2 services will be provided at these sites. A CSBL-3 site shall be designed to be able to provide the maximum level of service to the community. The type of services provided by the council may vary and there will be an individual service level agreed established between the council and the SES. For example, a council may elect to staff the site for a nominated period and may offer to assist the community to fill sandbags and/or may elect to supply all the sand and sandbags.



SignageThe SES will supply a standard set of signs for each designated Community Sandbag Location. The signage will include instructions on the use and deployment of sandbags for the community. This signage may be permanently fixed or temporary.

Recording

In the event that a council elects to nominate a site as a Community Sandbag Location, the location and the chosen level of service (nominated by a Council) will be communicated to the SES via the Local Government Functional Support Group (LGFSG) Coordinator and the details shall be maintained in the Local Government Emergency Management Resource Database.

When severe weather is forecast, the SES will assess areas at risk and consider the availability of potential Community Sandbag Locations. The SES will contact the Local Government Functional Support Group (LGFSG) State Duty Officer to activate the required Community Sandbag Locations. The LGFSG State Duty Officer will utilise LG xMatters for this activation.

Advice regarding Community Sandbag Locations will not be issued to the public in any form until first confirmed with the LGFSG State Duty Officer and the council/s concerned.

LG Community Sandbag Location database will be maintained by the LGFSG and shared with councils and SES

Definitions

Control Agency - The agency who, for the time being, is responsible for overall Control of an emergency. The control agency for emergencies will be determined by legislation and/or as identified in the SEMP (see section 20(1)(a) of the Act).

Community Sandbag Location – A site nominated designated by the SES as a location where sandbags and sand will be available to members of the community.

Directive – A directive given by a Control Agency under either the SA Emergency Management Act 2004, or the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005;

Level of Service – The level of service provided at a Community Sandbag Location (Level 1, 2 or 3).

Related Legislation and Documents

SA Emergency Management Act 2004; SA Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005; SA State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP); SA State Emergency Service – Flood Response Plan; Local Government Functional Support Group (LGFSG) Plan.

LGA Schemes Endorsement

This document of the Joint Operating Guideline for Community Sandbag Locations has been referred to the LGA Schemes for their awareness and comment.



Review

These guidelines will be reviewed annually to determine their effectiveness and include any updates or amendments as required. These guidelines will also be reviewed following any deployment/s of a Community Sandbag Locations, to capture any changes to technology or policy position.

AppendicesAppendix 1 – Signage Details

Appendix 2 – Community Sandbag Location Checklist

Approval Local GovernmentFunctional Support Group (LGFSG)

SA State Emergency Service (SES)

Scott LoechelLGFSG Coordinator

TBA

TBA TBA

How to submit your comments

Due Date Thursday 31 October 2019Make changes to this document using tracked changes, the complete the online submission form and attach your tracked changes document.

The LGA values your input in this document.


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Appendix 1 – Signage Details



Appendix 2 – Community Sandbag Location Checklist

Community Sandbag Locations

Site Selection Checklist

Required:

□ Adequate public liability insurance – to allow public access to the site.

□ Suitable surface for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in wet conditions;

□ Ample area of level ground for sand, equipment and room for people to fill and load bags (including space for heavy plant and equipment to access and dump sand);

□ Sufficient parking space for multiple vehicles;

□ Suitable traffic flow (access and egress) for vehicles, including those towing trailers;

□ Not located in a flood prone area;

□ No significant hazards identified. Desirable:

□ Ability to remain open 24/7;

□ Adequate lighting for after-hours use;

□ Secure (fenced / good visibility around the site);

□ Undercover area (e.g. shed) to keep sand dry;

□ Short distance from Council Depot / SES Unit for ease of establishing and checking site;

□ Powered.
