Disaster training call
CALLS have been made for reassurance to be given to the Burdekin community after an audit into the district’s Local Disaster Management Group revealed 16 of its 50 members were yet to complete mandatory training.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed it was working closely with Burdekin’s Local Disaster Management Group to ensure its members had the appropriate training after the group jumped from 38 members to 50 between March 1 and November 21 this year.
A spokesman for QFES said in an effort to rectify the shortfall further training arrangements were being made both face- to- face and online.
Burdekin MP and former area director of emergency management in Queensland Dale Last said the people of Burdekin needed to be reassured those responding in emergency situations were appropriately trained.
“We need to be reassured that the people who are tasked with responding to disasters including the recovery effort are appropri-
… it’s difficult to conduct training sessions for all members at one given time … CR LYN MCLAUGHLIN
ately trained and have the right skill set,” Mr Last said.
“I would expect all members of the LDMG would have completed or be in the process of completing all training.”
Burdekin Mayor and Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group chair Lyn McLaughlin said the group comprised a number of key stakeholders and council members, and that opportunities for training were available.
“In accordance with the Queensland Disaster Man- agement Framework, training of LDMG members is carried out by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services ( QFES),” Cr McLaughlin said. “As many of our members are employed in the emergency services or other similarly demanding indus- tries, it’s difficult to conduct training sessions for all members at one given time, however QFES do a wonderful job in ensuring our LDMG members are presented with regular opportunities to complete the appropriate training.”