EMERGENCY services will do a mock scenario focused on evacuation procedures during a disaster management training session on Thursday, June 8.
The event named Exercise Exodus will mainly be on Russell Island, but will include surrounding islands and the mainland.
“We want to reassure people that this is a scheduled activity and they are likely to see emergency services personnel, not only on Russell Island itself, but also the surrounding islands, waters and air space.
- Mayor Karen Williams
Mayor Karen Williams said there would be minimal disruption to residents, but asked drivers on Russell Island to be aware that there would be more pedestrians, particularly around the jetty.
“We want to reassure people that this is a scheduled activity and they are likely to see emergency services personnel, not only on Russell Island itself, but also the surrounding islands, waters and air space,” Cr Williams said.
“People may also see plain clothes council officers acting in roles, some with moulage – mock injury make-up – and we wish to stress that this is a controlled activity.”
SMBI community champions
Those involved in the exercise include 29 Southern Moreton Bay Island community disaster management recruits.
The community champions were trained this month in evacuation centre management, assessing and assisting people in trauma and managing volunteers in community recovery.
They are expected to become a reliable first point of information during natural disasters and emergencies.
SMBI councillor Mark Edwards said the representatives had been nominated by community groups.
“By the end of the initial training, our new SMBI community champions will be registered members of Volunteering Queensland and Red Cross Australia and will be able to provide practical assistance in times of emergency,” Cr Edwards said.
“With their first round of training completed only two days before Exercise Exodus it will be a perfect opportunity to put theory into practice.”
Cr Williams said Exercise Exodus following similar activities in recent years on North Stradbroke Island and mainland Redlands.
Other roleplayers involved in the training include the Coast Guard, Communities Department, Transport Department, Energex, police, ambulance and fire services, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Surf Life Saving Queensland and Telstra.
For information about disaster management in the Redlands, visit redlanddisasterplan.com.
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