Brisbane City Council
Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8:
Environmental Health Sub-plan
2015
Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
This Environmental Health Sub-plan is a strategic approach plan of the Brisbane City Council Local
Disaster Management Plan and has been endorsed by the Brisbane City Local Disaster
Management Group (Brisbane LDMG).
References
Table 1 summarises a comprehensive, but not exhaustive list of the many inter-related documents
that provide authority for Council’s Environmental Health Sub-plan.
Table 1: Environmental Health Reference List
References
A
The Queensland Disaster Management Act 2003, current approved edition
B
Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan, current approved edition
C
Queensland Health, (2005), Central Public Health Unit Network - Disaster Management Plan,
Queensland Government
D
Emergency Management Australia, (1999), Australian Emergency Manual Series, Australian
Government.
E
World Health Organisation (2002), Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disaster – A
practical guide
F
Brisbane City Council Brisbane Incident Management System (BIMS)
G Australian Red Cross (2012), Preferred Sheltering Practices for Emergency Sheltering in
Australia
H
Queensland Local Disaster Management Guidelines, current approved edition
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Table of Contents
References ...................................................................................................................................... i
1.0
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1
Audience ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.2
Custodian .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.3
Authority ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.4
Aim ........................................................................................................................................ 2
1.5
Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.6
Supporting Documents .......................................................................................................... 3
2.0
Vulnerability And Capacity Assessment ........................................................................... 4
2.1
Hazard Identification.............................................................................................................. 4
2.2
Environmental Health risk assessment .................................................................................. 4
3.0
Prevention And Mitigation .................................................................................................. 5
3.1
Risk Mitigation ....................................................................................................................... 5
3.2
Preparedness ........................................................................................................................ 5
4.0
Emergency Response ......................................................................................................... 6
4.1
Activation of Environmental Health Sub-plan ......................................................................... 6
4.2
Coordination and Control....................................................................................................... 6
4.3
Recall of Personnel After Hours ............................................................................................ 7
4.4
Debriefing the Incident .......................................................................................................... 7
Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 8
Appendix 1 - Environmental Health Threats .................................................................................... 9
Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation ................................................ 11
Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities ..................................... 12
Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................... 14
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
1.0
Introduction
Environmental health is concerned with the investigation, assessment, and management of the
physical, chemical, biological, and social factors in our environment that have the potential to
impact upon human health and wellbeing. In managing these factors, environmental health focuses
on creating and maintaining sustainable environments that permit human development, enhance
human health and wellbeing, and ensure environmental protection.
During hazardous and disaster events, there is a range of environmental health issues that may
need to be addressed including:

Food safety;

Water safety;

Emergency shelters;

Waste and excreta disposal;

Personal hygiene;

Vector control;

Disposal of dead;

Infectious diseases;

Dangerous goods; and

Environmental pollution.
Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan outlines Council’s need for thorough planning in the
prevention, preparation for, response to and recovery from hazardous and disaster events. This
Environmental Health Sub-plan (EHSP) focuses on managing the environmental health risks that
have the potential to affect Brisbane and South East Queensland as a result of hazardous and
disaster events. The EHSP has been prepared as a functional support plan for, and must be read
and interpreted in conjunction with, Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan.
1.1
Audience
This EHSP has been prepared for Council, the Lord Mayor, the Brisbane LDMG, Council business
units, the Local Disaster Coordination Centre and key external stakeholders.
1.2
Custodian
The Manager, Disaster Management Office (MDMO), on behalf of Council, is the custodian of this
EHSP. The custodian has the responsibility for implementing, evaluating, testing, reviewing and
updating this plan. The custodian is also to ensure proper quality, security, integrity, consistency,
privacy, confidentiality and accessibility of the plan.
The Custodian’s contact details are:
Title:
Manager, Disaster Management Office
Contact: +61 7 3403 8888
1.3
Authority
Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan and this Environmental Health Sub-plan have been
developed pursuant to the Disaster Management Act. Council environmental health practitioners
have been authorised through their appointment and delegation to undertake certain roles and
responsibilities in relation to the legislated functions and powers of Council.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Council personnel delegated this authority to include officers holding any of the following positions:

Principal Officer Environmental Health;

Environmental Health Team Leader;

Senior Environmental Health Officer;

Environmental Health Officer; and

City Standards Manager.
Key legislation covering functions, powers and authorisations of environmental health practitioners
is included in the following Acts (and their subordinate Regulations):

City of Brisbane Act 2010;

Environmental Protection Act 1994;

Food Act 2006;

Public Health Act 2005;

Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003; and

Any relevant Brisbane City Council local laws and ordinances.
In the event of a disaster the chairperson of the Queensland Disaster Management Committee or
District Disaster Management Group may authorise any or all of Council’s environmental health
practitioners or officers of other disciplines to exercise declared disaster powers for a disaster
situation. In such a situation the following legislation applies:
1.4

Disaster Management Act 2003 (Qld); and

Public Safety Preservation Act 1986.
Aim
The EHSP aims to mitigate and manage potential, imminent or actual environmental health risks
within Brisbane and South East Queensland before, during, and after hazardous and disaster
events.
1.5
Objectives
The mitigation and management of environmental health risks shall be achieved by:
a. Delivering best practice environmental health services using preventative principles;
b. Planning and preparing for an environmental health response to hazardous or
disaster events;
c. Integrating Council’s environmental health resources with other stakeholders;
d. Delivering a timely and effective environmental health response during and after a
hazardous or disaster event;
e. Providing advice, assistance and action with regard to environmental health risks
before, during and after a hazardous or disaster event; and
f.
Ensuring recovery strategies manage both the short- and long-term environmental
health risks and restore the community’s capability to mitigate these risks quickly and
effectively with appropriate regard to the type of hazardous or disaster event that has
occurred.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
1.6
Supporting Documents
The EHSP shall be supported by the following documents:

Environmental Health Incident Response Log;

Environmental Health Incident and Disaster Response Standard Operating
Procedure; and

EP026 – Pollution Incident Response Procedure.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
2.0
2.1
Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment
Hazard Identification
In relation to the EHSP, a hazardous or disaster event creates environmental health risks directly
through either a short- or long-term disruption to basic services (such as potable water supply,
sanitation, waste management services and/or power supply) and/or through damage to critical
infrastructure, businesses (particularly regulated businesses) and/or dwellings (particularly
dwellings of high risk populations).
Identified hazards that create or magnify environmental health risks include:

Fire (including bushfire);

Flood;

Earthquake;

Communicable disease outbreak;

Acts of terror;

Contaminated water supply;

Food-borne illness;

Dangerous goods incidents;

Disruption to essential infrastructure (power, water, sewerage);

Environmental contamination; and

Riot or other significant public disorder.
Council acknowledges the risks that particular hazards present and these have been addressed in
this sub-plan as specific environmental health threats. It is acknowledged that not all threats can be
known and as such this sub-plan ensures that key issues in responding to environmental health
emergencies are identified and practised. (Refer to Appendix 1.)
2.2
Environmental Health risk assessment
The qualitative risk assessment located in Chapter 1 of the Local Disaster Management Plan
informs Council’s Environmental Health Disaster Management arrangements. It provides a
descriptive measure of the likelihood, consequence and overall risk rating of natural disasters and
non-natural disasters that may affect the city of Brisbane. The model that underpins the emergency
risk management process is based on the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004 for risk
management.
In addition to the qualitative risk assessment in Chapter 1, Appendix 1 provides a list of
environmental health impacts that are a direct or indirect result of a hazardous or disaster event. It
can be used to trigger environmental health mitigation procedures for a particular type of event.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
3.0
3.1
Prevention and Mitigation
Risk Mitigation
Risk mitigation involves measures taken in advance of a disaster aimed at decreasing or
eliminating its impacts on society and the environment. Environmental health prevention and
mitigation involves regulatory and physical measures to ensure that emergencies are prevented, or
their effects are mitigated.
A list of environmental health threats are provided in Appendix 1 with possible mitigation
procedures listed in the table in Appendix 2. Training in disaster management and participation in
annual exercises will be provided to enhance Council’s Environmental Health Officers capability
and preparedness for disaster events. The Environmental Health SOP can be used as a resource
to further direct mitigation strategies.
3.2
Preparedness
Training and Exercises
Training and exercises shall be undertaken to ensure that all relevant personnel are familiar with
the EHSP and any related policies and procedures.
Training: Training shall be undertaken on an annual basis. All environmental health practitioners
shall be trained in general disaster management, the EHSP and subordinate procedures. Training
must ensure that the officers are able to understand the EHSP and use the relevant procedures
effectively. A record of training shall be maintained.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
4.0
4.1
Emergency Response
Activation of Environmental Health Sub-plan
If required, the EHSP will be activated automatically by the Local Disaster Management Plan or on
direction from the Lord Mayor, the CEO, or Brisbane LDMG. The Brisbane LDMG will then direct
the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) to notify the relevant personnel of the activation of
the Plan.
4.2
Coordination and Control
When the EHSP is activated, environmental health responses will be controlled by the Branch
Manager, CARS or Local Disaster Coordination Centre and coordinated by City Standards
Manager and Environmental Health Team Leaders. The Principal Officer, Environmental Health
acts in an advisory capacity for complex issues. Figure 1 indicates the chain of command when
this Sub-plan is activated.
Command and control of teams in the field will rest with City Standards Manager or the
Environmental Health Team Leaders unless otherwise specified by the MDMO, Manager CARS, or
Principal Officer Environmental Health.
Brisbane LDMG
LDCC Intelligence Manager
LDCC Incident Controller
CARS Liaison Officer
Branch Manager CARS
Principal Environmental
Health Officer
City Standards Manager &
City Safety & Enforcement
Manager
Environmental Health
Team Leader / Senior EHO
Environmental Health
Officer
Figure 1: Chain of Command for the Environmental Health Sub-plan
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
4.3
Recall of Personnel After Hours
When the EHSP is activated, environmental health personnel may be recalled to provide sufficient
resources to deal with the event. If a minor hazardous or disaster event (level 1 or 2) activation
occurs at a regional level (e.g. minor pollution incident), the on-call Environmental Health Incident
duty officer will respond to the event. If additional resources are required then the on-call
escalation manager is to be contacted.
If a major hazardous or disaster event happens, e.g. major chemical spill (level 3 or 4 activation),
the LDCC will inform the Manager CARS who in turn will inform the City Standards Manager of
staff requirements. Refer to Section 1 for more detail on activation levels.
Staff will be contacted via the call centre or staff contact list and instructed to attend a designated
rally point. The Manager CARS, Principal Officer Environmental Health and Team Leaders are to
have in their possession an up-to-date copy of staff contact details.
4.4
Debriefing the Incident
On completion of the event, a debriefing should be conducted at the earliest possible time (no
more than 14 days after the event). Environmental Health Team Leaders are to gather
environmental health staff together to consolidate information contained in the Environmental
Health Incident Response Log together with any additional observations or comments.
Consolidated information is to be developed into a report that will subsequently be passed up the
chain of command for comment and stored at Business Improvement and Strategy, Environmental
Health for reviewing purposes and disseminated to the LDCC as required. While a verbal report
and debriefing may meet immediate needs, a written report of the main findings should be
prepared for record keeping and reviewing.
Those involved in the debriefing are encouraged to offer constructive criticism and
recommendations for improvement. In some instances information may be of a sensitive nature, in
these instances a one-on-one debriefing may be required.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Environmental Health Threats
Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation
Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities
Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Appendix 1 - Environmental Health Threats
Impacts
Food
Water
Shelter
Disease
Public
health
Environment
Controlled
activities
Public safety








Storm tide








Flood








Fire










Threat
Storm or
cyclone
Hazardous
material
incident
Infectious
diseases
(animal)
Infectious
diseases
(human)





Pollution
incidents



Earthquakes



Loss of power


Loss of
sewerage

Loss of water
Terrorism












































Environmental health threats relevant to other work units or agencies
Water
Infectious
Disease
Refuse
Disposal
(Contractor)
Vermin and
pest control
(VAPS)
Disposal of
dead
animals
(BCC FSG)
Removal of
Human
Remains (Qld
Police)
Safe Disposal of
Hazardous material
(QUU)
(Qld Health &
Biosecurity)
Storm or
cyclone







Storm tide







Flood







Fire







Hazardous
material
incident




Infectious
diseases
(animal)
Infectious
diseases
(human)

Pollution
incidents

Earthquakes

Loss of power

(QFES & EHP)



















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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Water
Infectious
Disease
Refuse
Disposal
(Contractor)
(QUU)
(Qld Health &
Biosecurity)



Loss of water



Terrorism



Loss
sewerage
of
Vermin and
pest control
(VAPS)
Disposal of
dead
animals
(BCC FSG)
Removal of
Human
Remains (Qld
Police)
Safe Disposal of
Hazardous material




(QFES & EHP)
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Appendix 2 – Environmental Health Hazardous Events Mitigation
ISSUE
MITIGATION
Water
Public education/information
Media release (water supply/contamination, water sources, water treatment)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Investigate, manage, monitor and control
Food
Public education/information
Media release (food preparation, hygiene, damaged foods and food donations)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Increase surveillance, inspections and implement controls
Shelter
Public education/information
Media release (access to shelters and what to bring)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs / The Red Cross Preferred Sheltering Practices for
Emergency Sheltering in Australia
Monitor and advise environmental health controls
Sanitation
Public education/information
Media release (clean and healthy living and advice following sewage
contamination)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Monitor and advise on sewage containment and disinfection.
Hygiene
Public education/information
Media release (advice to workers and affected people to prevent the spread of
disease)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Education and advice on how to practise good personal hygiene
Waste
Public education/information
Media release (waste management, siting of refuse bins and additional
arrangements)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Monitoring and advice on general and regulated waste collection and removal
options
Vermin & vectors
Public education/information
Media release (potential breeding and harbourage)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Assist/increase with vermin and vector control measures as required.
Communicable disease
control
Public education/information
Media release (targeted public information campaigns)
EHO resources
Environmental Health SOPs
Education and advice on quarantine and social isolation strategies to limit
impacts.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Appendix 3 – Environmental Health Sub-plan Roles and Responsibilities
Organisation or Position
Roles and Responsibilities
Brisbane City Local Disaster Management
Group (Brisbane LDMG)
The Brisbane LDMG is the committee that oversees the development and implementation of Council’s Local Disaster
Management Plan.
Responsibilities:

Coordinate Council’s response and recovery efforts by ensuring an all agency approach with a high level of
cooperation;

Ensure the plan is current; and

Ensure the plan is reviewed and tested and that disaster management capabilities are integrated.
Local Disaster Coordination Centre
The LDCC is the focal point for the collection, collation and dissemination of incident-related information to relevant
Council Officers and the executive and political arms of Council. Under direction from the Brisbane LDMG, the LDCC
coordinates Council’s operational activities and maintains liaison with external stakeholders.
Manager Compliance and Regulatory
Services (CARS)
Responsibilities:
City Standards Manager and City Safety &
Enforcement Manager
Principal Officer Environmental Health

Ensure the most efficient and effective use of available CARS’ resources in the event of a disaster

Work in conjunction with the LDCC and other agencies involved in disaster response to protect and maintain the
health of the community.
The City Standards Manager and City Safety and Enforcement Manager report to the Branch Manager Compliance and
Regulatory Services.
Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain strategies to ensure consistent and optimal delivery of CARS’ operational functions across
regions;

Manage the delivery of CARS’ operational functions, ensuring that Council is a fair and impartial regulator; and

Managing the human, financial, physical and strategic resources of their respective areas staff together with
resolving complex issues.
The Principal Officer Environmental Health reports to the Branch Manager CARS.
Responsibilities:

Work under the direction of the Branch Manager CARS, or their delegate, to assist with resolving environmental
health issues;

Regularly update the Branch Manager CARS or their delegate on environmental health disaster management
matters; and

Prepare and disseminate SITREPs and briefing reports for the Branch Manager CARS and/or the LDCC if required.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Organisation or Position
Environmental Health Team Leaders
Senior Environmental Health Officers
Environmental Health Officers
Other officers and support staff
Roles and Responsibilities
Environmental Health Team Leaders are responsible for the management and coordination of the environmental health
team. They report to the City Standards Manager and Principal Officer Environmental Health.
Responsibilities:

Provide suitable and timely response to any community health issues as a result of a disaster;

Maintain a register of suitably trained Environmental Health Officers in the understanding, practices and
principles of environmental health in disaster management;

Coordinate and direct the human and physical environmental health resources of the CARS branch;

Prepare reports and maintain records of all environmental health issues during and following hazardous or
disaster events, including the timely reporting of environmental health SITREPs as necessary;

Maintain an after-hours contact list of Council Environmental Health Officers (confidentiality of these is to be
ensured);

Arrange for a staff relief roster to be drafted and implemented where events/incidents requiring ongoing support
exceed five hours; and

For major events (activation level 3 and 4) work in collaboration with the Principal Officer Environmental Health to
assist with resolving environmental health issues.
Senior Environmental Health Officers report to Environmental Health Team Leaders and the Principal Officer
Environmental Health.
Responsibilities:

Ensure continuity and ongoing support within their program areas;

Act as an authorised officer and exercise delegated powers for legislation relevant to environmental health;

Ensure outcomes comply with relevant legislation;

Lead, assist and provide technical advice for Environmental Health Officers within their team; and

Be prepared, in the event of a disaster, to assume command responsibilities as delegated.
Environmental Health Officers, during and post disaster situations, will be involved in numerous community health
situations in a practical, supervisory and advisory role.
Responsibilities:

Act as an authorised officer and exercise delegated powers for legislation relevant to environmental health;

Ensure outcomes comply with relevant legislation;

Work in conjunction with numerous interested organisations and groups to achieve desired results; and

Document any actions taken in their Environmental Health Incident Response Log.
Additional officers and support staff under the Compliance and Regulatory Services Branch of Council may be utilised to
provide assistance and technical advice during a hazardous or disaster event. Officers and support staff include but are
not limited to Plumbing Officers, Enforcement staff, Operational Support Officers, City Safety Officers and Rapid
Response Group (RRG) staff.
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Brisbane City Council Local Disaster Management Plan
Chapter 8 – Environmental Health Sub-plan 2015
Appendix 4 – Acronyms and Abbreviations
BIMS
Brisbane Incident Management System
Brisbane LDMG
Brisbane City Local Disaster Management Group
CARS
Compliance and Regulatory Services
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Council
Brisbane City Council
EHO
Environmental Health Officer
EHSP
Environmental Health Sub-plan
FSG
Field Services Group
LDC
Local Disaster Coordinator
LDCC
Local Disaster Coordination Centre
MDMO
Manager, Disaster Management Office
QFES
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
QUU
Queensland Urban Utilities
SITREP
Situation Report
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
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