Disasters & emergencies

[admin]

While we hope they never happen, Queensland weather will ultimately throw events at us like severe storms, floods, or even bushfires in some areas. Being prepared for potential disasters or emergencies can make a big difference to our club's safety and recovery.

Why Prepare?

• Safety: Helps protect members, volunteers, and visitors if an event occurs while people are at the club.
• Protect Property: Allows steps to be taken to minimise damage to the clubhouse, courts, and equipment.
• Continuity: Helps the club get back up and running more quickly after an event.
• Reduces Financial Loss: Preparation can minimise costly repairs or replacements.

Basic Preparedness Steps:

Having complex plans isn't always necessary, but consider these basics:

• Know Your Risks: Is your club in a flood-prone area? Near bushland? Prone to severe storms?
• Emergency Contacts: Have a readily accessible list of key contacts (committee members, emergency services, council, utilities, insurance).
• Basic Response Info: Know what to do in different scenarios (e.g., where to shelter during a severe storm, evacuation points if needed).
• Communication Plan: How would the club communicate with members during or immediately after an emergency if normal channels are down?
• Secure Property: Before a predicted event (like a cyclone or major storm), take steps like securing loose items, clearing gutters, and backing up important records offsite or digitally.
• Insurance: Ensure your club's insurance policies are up-to-date and cover relevant perils.

QLD Government Disaster Resilience Resources:

These templates and guides offer detailed help for clubs wanting to create more formal plans:

• Overview Page: QLD Gov Prepare Your Club for Disasters
• Action Plan: Disaster Resilience Action Plan Template (DOCX)
• Checklists: Disaster Resilient Preparation Checklists (DOCX)
• Comms Plan: Disaster Resilience Communications Plan (DOCX)
• Info Sheets: Response Information Sheets (DOCX)
• Info Sheets: Recovery Information Sheets (DOCX)
• Review Template: Disaster Review Template (DOCX) (For after an event)
• Working Group Info: Disaster Resilience Working Group Charter and Roles (DOCX)

A little preparation can go a long way in keeping our croquet club and its members safe during challenging times.