Partnering with the Department of Communities and Justice to develop an Evacuation Centre Handbook

The Evacuation Centre Handbook operates within the Welfare Services Functional Area (WSFA) which outlines a structure and governance for the management and operation of an Evacuation Centre.

The Handbook sets out the requirements and described processes for establishing, opening, operating, and closing of an Evacuation Centre and aims to standardise the operations of Evacuation Centres across NSW.

The Handbook explains how an Evacuation Centre is identified and established as well as what happens in an Evacuation Centre.

The purpose of this Handbook is to formalise current and historical operational practices and create a standardised method for the governance of Evacuation Centres to ensure effective operations during emergencies by DCJ employees and the Community Partner Organisations volunteers under the Welfare Services Functional Area.

The purpose of developing this Handbook is to:

• Provide clarity for the establishment of, opening, operating and closure of an Evacuation Centre.

• Emphasise stakeholder engagement in the development of the handbook.

• Ensuring that the capability and resourcing requirements of all responsibilities are understood and met.

• This Handbook sets out a broad structure for the establishment and functioning of an Evacuation Centre under the guidance of the Welfare Services Functional Area.