Queensland communities will be kept safer thanks to new, specialised disaster management training taking place at the Regional College of Disaster Management in Cairns.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey said the Queensland Government was committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of Queensland’s disaster management personnel, particularly in the north.
“Twenty-five candidates from across Local Government and State Government, from Councils, police, fire services and other emergency service workers have been undertaking this specialised training which is a Queensland first,” Minister Dempsey said.
“These dedicated workers completed the first two units of study for the nationally-recognised Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) training program this week in Cairns, a regional centre which has seen many natural disasters over the years.
“They will develop their skills to work with local communities during a disaster and organise public safety awareness programs to help build strong, prepared, resilient communities that will keep Queensland families safer.
“Course participants will have an additional 10 units of study to complete before graduation, which will give them an understanding of managing multi-agency response, risk management and planning, and developing emergency management exercises.”
Member for Barron River Michael Trout said the Regional College of Disaster Management would revitalise frontline services during disaster events by providing specialised training to those personnel at the forefront of storm, cyclone, flood and bushfire disaster response.
“The Queensland Government has committed $11 million toward this initiative, to upskill a new generation of disaster management professionals,” Mr Trout said.
“Future training, which will include the post-graduate course, will be delivered in Cairns later in the year as well as in Brisbane and Rockhampton.”
Disaster management professionals from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Health, Queensland Ambulance Service and the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services make up this first group of students.
They were joined by personnel from Cairns Regional Council, Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Weipa Town Authority, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Whitsunday Regional Council, Flinders Shire Council and Townsville City Council
The Regional College of Disaster Management is delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Government’s Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI).
