The Queensland government is to enhance its disaster monitoring response by introducing a 24/7 disaster watch at its State Disaster Co-ordination Centre duty office.

Addressing the recent Natural Disaster Summit in Townsville, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said that the move to a 24/7 watch would ensure Emergency Management Queensland could respond immediately to disaster situations.

"EMQ has an on-call system and on-call officers were tasked with activating the State Disaster Co-ordination Centre office within one hour of initial notification," Mr Roberts said. "The on-call system has worked well. However, the on-call system has placed pressure on staff."

Mr Roberts said EMQ expected the permanent watch office to start operating in July.

•Date: 22nd April 2008• Region: Australia •Type: Article •Topic: DR general
Rate this article or make a comment - click here