Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan - Adopted …...Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan – May 2019 7 Table...

Moorabool Shire

Heatwave Plan A sub plan of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan

May 2019

Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan – May 2019 2

Acknowledgements

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan was first developed in January 2010 following consultation with both Moorabool Shire staff and external agency staff. Since its initial implementation the plan has been reviewed and subsequently rewritten to include information from the Victorian State Government‘s Heatwave Plan and updated localised information. The Plan was reviewed in September 2015. At the February 2019 Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC) meeting, a sub committee was formed to review the plan. The revised plan was endorsed at the May 2019 MEMPC.

Moorabool Shire would like to thank and acknowledge the valuable contribution from many stakeholders who have generously contributed their time and expertise in the development of this plan.

Moorabool Shire

Emergency Management

Active Ageing and Community Access

Environmental Health

Community Development

External Partners

Djerriwarrh Health Services

Department of Health and Human Services


Contents

1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.2 Aims ....................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 5

1.4 Climate change .................................................................................................................. 6

1.5 Health impacts of Heatwaves ....................................................................................... 6

1.5.1 General Facts ...................................................................................................................... 6 1.5.2 Heatwaves in Australia .................................................................................................... 7 1.5.3 Record-breaking temperatures across Australia Dec 2018 / Jan 2019 ........ 8

1.6 Heat Health Alert System ............................................................................................ 10

1.7 Moorabool Shire Community Profile ........................................................................ 12

2 Planning Frameworks ............................................................................................... 15

2.1 Legislative context ......................................................................................................... 15

2.1.1 Emergency Management Act 1986 & Emergency Management Act 2013 . 16 2.1.2 Local Government Act 1989 ........................................................................................ 16 2.1.3 The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 ........................................................... 16

2.2 The role of local government in Heatwave response planning ..................... 17

2.3 Moorabool Shire’s Strategic Framework ................................................................ 18

2.3.1 Integrating Heatwave into existing plans and strategies ................................. 18

3 Communication ........................................................................................................... 19

3.1 Communication strategy .............................................................................................. 19

3.2 Key Messages ................................................................................................................... 21

4 Heatwave Strategies ................................................................................................. 23

4.1 Prevention Phase ............................................................................................................ 24

4.2 Preparation Phase ........................................................................................................... 24

4.3 Response Phase ............................................................................................................... 24

4.3.1 Stand-by (Heat Alert) .................................................................................................... 25 4.3.2 Activation Process (Heatwave Trigger) ................................................................... 25 4.3.3 Cooling Centres ................................................................................................................ 25 4.3.4 Pets ....................................................................................................................................... 26 4.3.5 Emergency Evacuation Reports for Vulnerable Clients in Heatwaves ......... 27 4.3.6 Daily checks of at risk clients NOT being seen by community care/AACA/CYF

on that day ........................................................................................................................ 27 4.3.7 Maintain regular contact with community care/AACA/CYF staff in relation to

clients ................................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.8 Maintain regular contact with staff in relation to work support .................... 27 4.3.9 Recovery Phase ................................................................................................................ 28

5 Monitoring and Evaluation ...................................................................................... 28


Executive Summary

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan was first developed in 2010 and provided a framework for strategic and operational Heatwave response to minimise the adverse effects of extreme heat on vulnerable individuals and communities. This Plan has been reviewed several times since then and most recently reviewed and endorsed in May 2019 by the MEMPC.

In January 2009, Victoria experienced a heatwave which was of unprecedented intensity and duration with maximum temperatures 12‐15oC above normal seeing Melbourne endure three consecutive days above 43oC.

As a result of the substantial morbidity and mortality and associated demands on health services during the 2009 Heatwave, the Victorian Government provided funding to councils to develop a Heatwave Plan for the 2009 / 2010 summer season.

Since the initial development of the plan in 2010, it has been reviewed and updated to take in changing views and policies in relation to the preparedness and response to possible Heatwaves within the Moorabool Shire.

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan has been developed in line with emergency management principles and forms a sub plan to the Municipal Emergency Management Plan. It outlines a range of strategies to assist Council build its capacity and minimise health and wellbeing risks to the residents of the Moorabool Shire.

For the purpose of heatwave planning the following population groups were identified:‐

Individuals over the age of 65

Infants and young children under the age of 5

People with weight, chronic ailments or other health problems

Individuals living alone or in isolation

Individuals with a disability

Residents accessing home and community care services

People residing in a caravan, cabin or improvised home

In line with the pillars of emergency management practice, the plan identifies a range of local actions to guide heatwave prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

Prevention: Eliminating or reducing the impacts of severe heatwaves by incorporating emergency management into core business of council; adopting a risk management approach to community safety and ensure emergency management is factored into council planning and strategies.

Preparedness: Finding ways to ensure the Moorabool Shire community is capable of coping with the effects of a heatwave. This includes community safety awareness programs.

Response: Taking measures to support Moorabool Shire and regional emergency services during and immediately following a heatwave event.

Recovery: Taking measures to support heatwave affected communities in the reconstruction of physical infrastructure and the restoration of emotional, economic and physical wellbeing.


1 Background

1.1 Introduction

The state strategy acknowledges the inevitable impacts of climate change and recognises heat as one the most direct and immediate impacts to individuals and communities.

Heatwaves can impact on our population in numerous ways both directly and indirectly. The increased frequency and intensity of Heatwaves may cause deaths through heart attack, stroke and heat exhaustion. The most vulnerable are the elderly, the young, people under intense physical stress and those with cardiovascular disease.

High temperatures may result in increased hospital admissions and deaths (particularly among the elderly) relating to heat stress, sunburn and dehydration. There may be an increase in outdoor work‐related accidents and reduced productivity. Railway lines may buckle leading to a potential for accidents and delays in rail transport. A greater peak electricity demand for air conditioners can lead to power supply disruptions and the increased cost of running air conditioners may impact on peoples’ ability to cool themselves during heatwaves.

The Heatwave Plan has identified a suite of existing Council planning frameworks which play an important role in preventing and preparing for the impacts of heat on communities and infrastructure. These plans include:‐

Municipal Emergency Management Plan

Community Emergency Risk Assessment Tool

Public Health Emergency Management Sub Plan

1.2 Aims

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan aims to build the capacity of the Shire and the community to respond to the prospect of increased Heatwaves in the following ways:‐

1. Identification of Moorabool Shire Council’s infrastructure and facilities that may be used as places of shelter, relief or protection for vulnerable people.

2. Identification and development of processes to improve monitoring of and support to clients in the Active Aging and Community Access, Child Youth and Family services and other vulnerable community members during Heatwave conditions to ensure safety and well‐being.

3. Development of communication strategies and educational resources to help inform the community of the Heatwave Response Plan.

4. Evaluate and update the plan (where required) prior to the summer season.

1.3 Objectives

Ensure health information and support is readily available to the community, particularly those identified as being vulnerable to the effects of Heatwave.

Develop and enhance partnerships and collaborative arrangements to better respond to Heatwaves.

Increase staff awareness of the effects of Heatwave and implement internal processes across council program areas to manage work activities during an event.

Develop long term and sustainable behavioral change to minimise the impacts of Heatwave on Health and Wellbeing.

A robust Heatwave warning and intervention system, combined with good community education programs for preparedness, can prevent most Heatwave deaths and provide a high level of care to the community. Effective planning and preparedness initiatives are critical to positive outcomes.


1.4 Climate change

Climate change has the potential to adversely affect our environment, communities and economy unless action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward a low carbon economy.

Changing weather patterns has seen Australia experience hotter and drier summers, prolonged requirements for water restrictions and the increased risk of bushfire.

The Victorian State Government made climate change a key policy area and introduced a New Climate Change Act to ensure Victoria continues to lead the way on climate change.

Longer and more severe periods of extreme heat in Victoria are expected to be the result of ongoing climate change. According to the Department of Health’s Heatwave Strategy, by 2030 Melbourne’s climate is likely to have warmed by 10C with an annual rainfall of 10‐15% less, creating a climate similar to Adelaide’s present day climate. Forecasts into 2070 predict warming from 1‐30C. The Department of Health identifies that Melbourne currently has an annual average of nine days on which the temperature exceeds 350C.

This may increase to 11‐13 days by 2030 and 12‐26 days by 2070. Climate change models include a large range of uncertainty related to unknown factors such as future emissions, demographic changes and technological advances.

In a report by the Bureau of Meteorology / CSIRO “An assessment of the impact of climate change on the nature and frequency of exceptional climate events” July 2008, examines the extent of drought in Australia has identified that Victoria soon could be hit by heatwaves in three out of every four years, as Australia becomes hotter, drier and increasingly drought ravaged.

1.5 Health impacts of Heatwaves

1.5.1 General Facts

Heat stress is an acute condition of hyperthermia caused by prolonged exposure to excessive heat or heat and humidity. The heat‐regulating mechanisms of the body eventually become overwhelmed and unable to effectively deal with the heat, causing the body temperature to climb uncontrollably.

People most at risk are: very young children, the elderly, and people with excess weight, chronic ailments or other health problems; and those on medications or with alcohol / drug dependency.

Elderly people are most vulnerable to heat stress, as the body’s ability to regulate temperature usually decreases with age. The main contributing factor to this is reduced physical activity, leading to lower muscle strength, sweating capacity and cardiovascular reserve, and to lower cardiovascular stability.

A child’s body heats up five times faster than an adult’s body. Additionally, children have immature sweating systems that sweat less than adults’, so they don’t have a way to get rid of body heat as quickly.

Drugs that affect body fluid balance, vasodilator activity and cardiac function are potentially harmful during extreme heat events. Common to all at‐risk people is a reduced capacity to regulate the bodies own cooling system through perspiration. Very poor and homeless people are often affected as they cannot always seek the safety of a cooled home.

People in urban and suburban regions typically have far higher rates of mortality than those in rural regions. One reason for this is because urban areas frequently act as ‘heat islands’, and trap heat from escaping. Social isolation has also been linked to increased risk of death during heat waves.


Table Two: Heat related illnesses

Disorder Symptoms What to do

Heat cramps Muscle pains

Spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs Stop activity and sit quietly in a cool

place

Increase fluid intake

Rest a few hours before returning to activity

Seek medical help if cramps persist

Heat exhaustion Pale complexion and sweating

Rapid heart rate

Muscle cramps, weakness

Dizziness, headache

Nausea, vomiting

Fainting

Get the person to a cool area and lie them down

Remove outer clothing

Wet skin with cool water or wet clothes

Seek medical advice

Heat stroke (a life threatening emergency)

Same symptoms as heat exhaustion

Dry skin with no sweating

Mental condition worsens, confusion

Seizure

Appear to have a stroke or collapse

Unconsciousness

Call an ambulance

Get the person to a cool area and lie them down

Remove clothing

Wet skin with water, fanning continuously

Position an unconscious person on their side and clear the airway

1.5.2 Heatwaves in Australia

Australia has a long history of Heatwaves. The longest recorded Heatwave is generally accepted to have been in 1923/1924 ‐ During a period of 160 such days from 31 October 1923 to 7 April 1924, the Western Australian town of Marble Bar set a world record for the most consecutive days above (38 °C).

The 2013‐14 summer saw record high temperatures with the Department of Health and Human Services issuing heat health alerts for 13 days due to heat health temperature thresholds being reached or exceeded across most of the state. Victoria experienced 4 consecutive days of increased temperatures from January 14, with a statewide heat health alert on Tuesday 14 January.

The worst recorded Heatwave was in 1939 when 438 people died. This Heatwave affected South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Heatwaves have accounted for more deaths in Australia than any other climatic event. Some of the worst Heatwaves on record are below:

437

246

147 130

438

105

26 15 17 12

374

0

100

200

300

400

500

1896 1908 1921 1927 1939 1959 1973 1981 1993 2004 2009

Deaths


1.5.3 Record‐breaking temperatures across Australia Dec 2018 / Jan 2019

An unusual extended period of heatwaves over much of Australia began in early December 2018 and continued into January 2019. For nationally averaged mean maximum temperature, Australia had its hottest December day on record and third‐hottest for any month. This was followed by an unprecedented sequence of five consecutive days with nationally averaged mean maxima above 40 °C from 12 to 16 January, including the 15th, which recorded the second‐warmest day on record for any month. Numerous locations reported their highest daily maximum temperature on record for December or January, with some locations exceeding their previous records by large margins. Many records were also set for consecutive days above thresholds, including Canberra recording four consecutive days above 40 °C for the first time. A new record was set for the highest minimum temperature ever observed in Australia. It was Australia's warmest December on record. Every State and Territory was affected by heatwave conditions at some stage during the event. These widespread heatwaves during December and January followed an extreme heatwave that affected the tropical Queensland coast during late November 2018.


January high maximum temperature records at locations with 40 years or more of data. ACORN‐SAT locations are shown in italics. Records for any month are shown in bold.

Source: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs68.pdf


1.6 Heat Health Alert System

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Heat Health Alert System notifies councils department program areas, hospitals, and health and community service providers of forecast heatwave conditions which are likely to impact on human health.

A heat health alert is issued when mean temperatures are predicted to reach and exceed heat health thresholds. Heat health alert contacts are advised to monitor local conditions and take action in accordance with their own heatwave plans, service continuity plans and occupational health and safety (OH&S) plans. The Heat Health Alert System is based on the Bureau of Meteorology weather forecast districts and boundaries.

The Department of Health and Human Services has identified heat health temperature thresholds for Victoria, above which heat‐related illness and mortality increases substantially.

These thresholds differ across the State to recognise the higher temperatures experienced in northern parts of Victoria. A heat health temperature threshold has been established for each of the nine weather forecasts districts of which Moorabool is part of the Central District.

The Department of Health and Human Services will monitor the Bureau of Meteorology forecast daily minimum and maximum temperatures and calculate the daily average temperature for each weather forecast district.

When forecast average temperatures are predicted to reach or exceed the heat health temperature threshold for a specific weather forecast district, the department will issue a heat health alert for that district. For Moorabool Shire, a response will be activated when a mean temperature threshold of 300C or above is forecast.

The department will issue heat health alerts to:

‐ Local government authorities

‐ Emergency services

‐ Health and aged care sector

‐ Government departments and agencies

‐ Departmental program areas.

‐ Statewide and major metropolitan service providers

‐ Peak or advocacy groups.

Once a heat health alert is issued, local councils, departmental program areas and health and community service providers should respond in accordance with their heatwave plans. At Moorabool Shire Council there is a Heat EM email group, which will be used to receive heat health alerts, the email group includes contacts for emergency management staff, Active Ageing and Community Access Staff, Child, Youth and Family, Community and Recreation, Customer Services, Operations and Environmental Health staff.

The department will also be considering other factors that may influence vulnerability, such as very high maximum or minimum temperatures and high temperatures over a prolonged consecutive period. High temperature alerts may be issued in these circumstances even if the average temperature threshold is not exceeded. Prolonged high temperatures below threshold levels can still impact on health services.

Where possible, heat health alerts will be issued 3‐4 days prior to forecast heatwave conditions providing recipients early warning. It is also important that Councils continue to monitor their local conditions. It may be necessary for councils to activate heatwave plans in the absence of a heat health alert being issued. Conditions can be monitored using the Bureau of Meteorology at http://www.bom.gov.au/


Heat Health Alerts issued during 2018‐19 Summer:

‐ Thursday, 6 December 2018

‐ Friday, 7 December 2018

‐ Thursday, 17 January 2019

‐ Thursday, 24 January 2019

‐ Friday, 25 January 2019

‐ Thursday, 28 February 2019

‐ Friday, 1 March 2019

‐ Saturday, 2 March 2019

Table 1: Heat health alert threshold

Image adapted from the Country Fire Authority’s ‘Know your total fire ban district”.

The heat health alert is only intended to notify recipients that mean temperatures are predicted to reach and exceed heat health thresholds. The alert is not intended to dictate when service providers take action; heat health alert contacts are advised to monitor local conditions and take action in accordance with their own heatwave plans, service continuity plans and occupational health and safety (OH&S) plans.


1.7 Moorabool Shire Community Profile

Moorabool Shire is located in the Central Highlands region of Victoria between 45 and 95 kilometres west of Melbourne and between 5 and 55 kilometres east of Ballarat. The Shire encompasses a total land area of just over 2,110 square kilometres. It is bounded to the north by Hepburn and Macedon Ranges Shires, in the east by Melton Shire and the City of Wyndham, in the west by the City of Ballarat and in the south by Golden Plains Shire and the City of Greater Geelong.

The official population of Moorabool Shire in 2016 is 31,818. The majority of people who relocate to Moorabool Shire are young families seeking a semi‐rural lifestyle. Moorabool’s demographic reflects this trend.

Moorabool Shire has faster population growth than the national and Victorian average, and last year (2017) Moorabool’s population grew by 2%. Bacchus Marsh’s population grew by 3%. Moorabool Shire is estimated to increase by 72% between 2015 and 2041 to 54,418.


According to statistics (Nitschke, Tucker & Bi, 2007), by 2100, the number of people in the 65 plus age group across Australia is expected to increase two to five time above current numbers. Future predictions for Moorabool Shire show that the number of elderly residents will continue to increase to 5,521 (16.4%) by 2021.

Particular areas within Moorabool Shire are at high risk during heatwaves due to a higher than average concentration of aged residents, who may be more likely to experience socio economic disadvantage and be particularly vulnerable to extreme climatic conditions. These communities include Bacchus Marsh, Blackwood and Bungaree. 720 clients are registered as AACA clients.

Statistics reported for 2016 show that 6.4% of Moorabool Shire’s total population is below the age of four years. There are 2,023 Moorabool residents in this age group. By 2041 the number of elderly residents [75 and over] will increase to 5,315. Children aged 0 ‐ 14 years made up 20.2% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 15.7% of the population.



2 Planning Frameworks

2.1 Legislative context

The role of local government in heatwave response planning is part of an integrated set of relationships between state government, local government and funded agencies.

The flowchart below outlines the integrated relationships between state government, local government and funded agencies.

State Government Role

Local Government Role

Funded agencies

VicSES

MFESB / DSE

MFESB / DSE

Victoria Police

Emergency Services

MFESB / DSE

DHS community support

Local Government

Strengthen building code requirements

Develop and execute the Victorian Heatwave Alert System

Develop and implement state‐wide communication strategy

Design and prepare state‐wide emergency management response protocols

Take a lead role in heatwave response, co‐ordinating at regional level

Provide direct services and support to local communities during heatwaves via regional government offices and state‐funded agencies

Minimise risks to loss of power supply

Lead the whole municipality in heatwave prevention, preparation, response and recovery

Coordinate delivery of local services during heatwave event

Coordinate heatwave response in accordance with MEMP

MEMP

Advocate to State government on issues requiring state response

MHWP

MSS

Sustainability

Local laws and building codes

Community Development

Infrastructure

Communications

Staff Training

Implement the Victorian Heatwave Strategy

Enhance state legislation and policy

Participate in MEMP

Lead Evaluation of municipal heatwave response to particular heatwaves,, and overall Heatwave strategy

Community Care


2.1.1 Emergency Management Act 1986 & Emergency Management Act 2013

Under S.20 of the Emergency Management Act 1986, municipal councils in Victoria have the responsibility of preparing and maintaining a Municipal Emergency Management Plan. This plan must contain provisions for identifying any resources within the municipality available for use in emergency prevention, response and recovery. It also must specify how such resources are to be used in the event of an emergency.

2.1.2 Local Government Act 1989

The Local Government Act 1989 is the principal empowering legislation for councils in Victoria. It outlines the general role of councils to ensure public safety. While the Act does not deal directly with the roles and responsibilities of councils in emergency situations, it does state, in Sections 6, 7 and 8, councils’ requirement to use their resources for emergency management.

Schedule 1 declares that the functions of councils include ‘general public services’ such as ‘fire prevention and protection’ and ‘local emergency and safety services’. The Act also sets out the purposes and objectives of councils which could be said to encompass activities which would be consistent with general public services. In addition, a council can make local laws for or with respect to any act, matter or thing in respect of which a council has a power or function.

2.1.3 The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008

Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, local Councils must now prepare a renamed “Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan" (MHWP) in the first year after each general election of the Council (Section 26, sub‐clause 1). The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 identifies that municipal health and wellbeing plans must:

a. Include an interpretation of data about local health status and health determinants;

b. Identify evidence‐based goals and strategies for creating a local community in which people can achieve maximum health;

c. Provide for the involvement of people in the local community in the development, implementation and evaluation of the public health plan;

d. Specify how the Council will work in partnership with Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies undertaking public health initiatives, projects and programs to accomplish the goals and strategies identified in the public health plan;

e. Be consistent with:

(i) The Council Plan prepared under section 125 of the Local Government Act 1989; and

(ii) The Municipal Strategic Statement prepared under section 12A of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

A Council must review its municipal public health plan annually and, if appropriate, amend the plan.

It can be seen immediately that the Act creates a legislative imperative for Councils to integrate Council / community planning, health planning and urban planning. Before the revised Act, this was an aspirational target conveyed through Environments for Health. This new requirement provides an opportunity for local Councils to make a significant advance towards integrated planning.

The development of Health and Well‐Being Plans and Heatwave Response Plans provides a unique opportunity for local councils to:

Ensure that corporate and strategic planning promotes a supportive physical environment and increased physical activity;

Contribute to whole‐of‐Council responses to community health and climate change; and

Plan relevant infrastructure, community and health services, and emergency management.


2.2 The role of local government in Heatwave response planning

The Victorian Government’s municipal public health planning framework, Environments for Health, recognises that as the level of government closest to the people, local governments are strongly positioned to promote community development across their municipality. Drawing on the World Health Organisation’s ‘Healthy Cities’ approach, Environments for Health acknowledges that local governments play a leadership role in fostering urban governance by engaging citizens and local stakeholders in collaborative planning to enhance community health and social equity. The Victorian Heat Health Plan Victoria 2018 reinforces this understanding that municipal councils are the closest level of government to communities and have access to local knowledge about the demographic, social and human service features of their districts. The strategy acknowledges that people naturally seek help from their local council during emergencies and the ensuing recovery process.

Potential local government roles relating to heatwaves may include:

Asset Management Community and Social

Service Provision Planning & Coordination Civic Governance

Examples Examples Examples Examples

Provision of ‘heatwave‐ready’ Council offices buildings, tenancies, accommodation or retail facilities

Provision of ‘heatwave‐ready’ community buildings – such as neighbourhood houses, child care centres, libraries, leisure and recreation facilities

Ongoing service infrastructure‐‐ such roads, footpaths, drainage

Recognition of heatwave impacts on parks, gardens and opens space, and associated risks

Coordinating or supporting provision of Meals on Wheels to vulnerable community members

Home and Community Care services

Leisure and recreation services

Telephone information, support and referral

Council Plan

Community Planning

Municipal Public Health Planning

Municipal Strategic Statement


Environmental Strategy

Participation in Community Health Planning via Primary Care Forum

Council elections

Councillors

Citizens’ advisory groups and boards

Needs assessments

Citizen feedback lines

Participatory planning

Community engagement strategies

Volunteer development

Communication


2.3 Moorabool Shire’s Strategic Framework

2.3.1 Integrating Heatwave into existing plans and strategies

The Heatwave Response Plan presents an opportunity for a coordinated approach to policy development

across existing Council areas and plans as listed below. These are discussed briefly below.

Moorabool Shire has a number of plans into which heatwave can be integrated. The Municipal Emergency

Management Plan is the obvious document for the response and recovery phases of the Heatwave Response

Plan. The Public Health Emergency Management Plan also provides an avenue for prevention and

preparation stages of the Heatwave Response Plan.

The table below shows the plans and strategies into which the Heatwave Response Plan will be integrated,

and which approach each plan takes to heatwave in terms of Prevention, Preparation, Response and

Recovery.

Moorabool Shire Plans and Strategies Emergency Management Phase

Prevention Preparation Response Recovery

Moorabool Shire Council Plan 2017 ‐ 2021


Public Health Emergency Management Sub‐Plan

Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan

Active Ageing and Community Access Diversity Plan

Moorabool Shire Council Plan 2017‐2021

Moorabool Shire is committed to supporting volunteers, recognising and celebrating their vital role in community participation and service delivery. Council recognises the individuality, diversity and identity of each community. We will work together to strengthen each community’s capacity to plan, develop and implement projects that build the community they envisage.

Council will monitor and plan for the needs and aspirations of our changing communities and opportunities to contribute to community life through enhancing our social health and recreation planning.

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Plan is supported by the Strategic Objectives and Strategies as listed in the Council Plan as follows: Strategic Objective – Improving Social Outcomes:

Health and Wellbeing

Community Connectedness and Capacity.


The Municipal Emergency Management Plan details general arrangements for the management of various emergency situations which may occur within the Moorabool Shire.

The deployment and co‐ordination of emergency resources is an integral part of Council’s normal operations and may occur without any formal activation or declaration in relation to this or any other emergency plan. The flexible nature of Emergency Management Plans enables activation of only those elements required in any given situation.


In line with current best practice, it is anticipated that response and recovery activities commence simultaneously to better provide the full range of resources to affected communities.

The Moorabool Shire’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan should be read in conjunction with the Emergency Management Manual Victoria which can be accessed from www.emv.vic.gov.au.

Public Health Emergency Management Sub‐Plan

Public health emergency management planning is a key part of the municipality’s ‘all communities’, ‘all

emergencies’ approach to municipal emergency management.

The Public Health Emergency Management sub‐Plan is a component of the MEMP. It aims to protect the

community and emergency management personnel from public health risks generated by an emergency.

The Heatwave Response Plan also promotes active community participation and encourages community

members to support and collaborate in heatwave prevention, preparation, response and recovery. In the

Heatwave Response Plan, this support and collaboration will be in the form of promoting ‘know your

neighbour’ strategies, building capacity of volunteers to prevent isolation during a heatwave event and allow

appropriate responses to heatwaves.

Vulnerable People Agencies funded to provide personal care, support and case management services to people living in the

community have a key role in relation to the safety and welfare of clients.

Vulnerable Persons Registers (VPRs) have been developed to store local information about consenting,

identified vulnerable people, which will be directly entered by funded agencies and locally overseen by

municipal councils. The VPRs are cloud‐based and directly accessible to authorised representative from

Victoria Police (without having to contact the council or funded agency) to aid emergency planning and

response, including potential evacuation.

Local administration of Vulnerable Persons Registers involves:

Screening for Vulnerable Persons Registers - to identify vulnerable persons (receiving and not receiving services) who additionally cannot identify personal or community support networks to help them in an emergency to be included on a Vulnerable Persons Register.

Entering and maintaining information in Vulnerable Persons Registers for consenting, identified people, which is available to those with responsibility for emergency response and

evacuations.

Emergency Planning; Living at Home Assessment staff (under 65’s) and Regional Assessment staff (people aged 65+) will complete Moorabool Shire Council’s Vulnerable Persons Assessment Form, as per agreement with Department of Health and Human Services. Once registered a Living at Home Assessment Officer will assist, refer to Red Cross or complete the Emergency plan, copies will be held in client’s support plan and copies sent to emergency contacts.

3 Communication

3.1 Communication strategy

People living through a summer in Moorabool Shire need to be informed adequately about Heatwaves. This

includes information about risk characteristics, preventative measures and appropriate behaviors’ during a

heatwave and an understanding of their own responsibility to be prepared.


Moorabool Shire’s communications strategy will focus on preparing the general public, vulnerable groups in

the community and key service providers to vulnerable populations for heatwave conditions. It will also

ensure community members are advised through the media of a heatwave event and appropriate actions to

take and notified when a heatwave event has passed and options and actions to take in the recovery phase.

Any heatwave material prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services will be used for the

dissemination of key messages. A localised initiative will see Community Support staff wear polo shirts with

five of these key messages on them to assist spreading awareness. These messages include:

Ways to Beat the Heat

1. Look after yourself and keep in touch with others.

2. Drink plenty of water, (If fluids are limited please check with your doctor).

3. Keep cool, draw blinds and turn on air conditioners.

4. Cool yourself by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers.

5. Stay out of the sun during hottest part of the day. If you must go out, take plenty of water with you, wear a hat and light‐coloured, loose fitting clothing.

6. Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads. Make sure food that needs refrigeration is stored properly.

7. Don’t leave children, adults or animals in parked vehicles.

8. Watch or listen to news reports for latest information.

Prepare for the Hot Weather.

Test fans and air conditioners are working prior to the arrival of any hot weather.

Stock up on food, fluids and medicines, to reduce amount of trips to shops required during the hot weather.

Store medicines safely at recommended temperature.

Prepare your home: install awnings, use shade cloths or external blinds, and appropriate internal curtains, to block out the sun.

The objectives of the strategy will be to:

Generate preparedness and improve community resilience to Heatwave conditions; and,

Educate all stakeholders about roles, responsibilities and procedures to be followed in the event of a heat alert.


3.2 Key Messages

Key messages for the general community will include:

Cool your home down

Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and opened at night when the temperature has cooled

Turn off non essential lights and electrical equipment

Move to the coolest room in the house to sleep

Stay out of the heat

Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm

Avoid extreme physical exercise

Wear light, loose fitting clothes

Reschedule appointments to early in the morning

Keep yourself cool and hydrated

Drink plenty of water but avoid caffeine and alcohol

Take a cool shower

Spray water over your skin or clothing

Keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck

Know your neighbors and

Phone or visit elderly or sick neighbours everyday during a

heatwave

Key messages for vulnerable groups will also include

Medications and heat related illness

Child and car safety and,

Keeping babies and breast feeding mothers hydrated.

Moorabool Shire will use material developed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Core components of the Heatwave awareness campaign are to:

Engage with local media outlets to disseminate relevant information

Distribute the general public information leaflet through a mail out and Positive Ageing Facebook page.

Fact sheets developed by the Department of Health and Human Services will be distributed through

AACA Services (AACA workers and Meals on Wheels), Senior Citizens’ Association, Maternal and Child

Health nurses, GPs, pharmacies, community centres, visitor information centres and facilities, child‐care

centres, preschools and other key services or facilities

Disseminate heatwave messages at events e.g. Festivals, Senior’s Week, International Day for People

Living with a disability.

Produce articles / information sheets for community newsletters, magazines or websites.

Use social media to spread heat health messages.



4 Heatwave Strategies

The Moorabool Shire Heatwave Strategies detail the procedures Council will undertake to provide systems through which key stakeholders in local government and health and community sectors can collaborate to ensure effective coordination of efforts.

The strategy has been developed in line with Victorian emergency management components as shown in the flowchart below.

Heatwave alert issued

State Emergency Services response

State wide Communication

Council long term planning & awareness

Preparation phase (Pre‐summer and Mid‐summer)

Prevention phase

Response phase

Recovery phase

Heatwave & “alert” awareness

program

Vic Heatwave alert system

State communications , data and protocols.

Distribute & promote info vulnerable communities

Heatwave alert system (BoM)

Council to Support state or regional communications plan

“On hold” messages

Direct client contact

Information at facilities

Heat refuges

Collect vulnerable communities data

Stakeholder mapping

Facility Audit

Building design

Community resilience

Example of Council activities

See report for more detail

“Heatwave” in MEMP

Communication Strategy

Stakeholder readiness

Lead role:CommonwealthState LocalExternal partners (eg childcare, aged, health, transport)

Example of Council focus / objectiveSee report for more detail

VicSES

CFA

DSE

Victoria Police

Emergency Services

??

Municipal Recovery Officer

Municipal Fire Prevention Officer

MERO

State communications

material

Communication Strategy

Staff training

Staff trainingPreparing staff and partners for action

Council execute MEMP

DoH community support

Community Care

Council to coordinate local response via MEMP

Emergency transport

Heatwave alert revised

State wide Communication

Council to Support state or regional communications plan

Know your neighbour

Follow up messages

Direct client contact

Feedback to DHS

Workforce debrief

Council review and evaluate response

Stakeholder response

Stakeholder review

Data update

External partners

Stakeholder awareness

Feedback to DHHS


4.1 Prevention Phase

The Heatwave plan will be reviewed every two to three years, with the Emergency Management department being the lead department at Moorabool Shire conducting the review. Environmental Health and the Manager Active Ageing and Community Access along with the Active Ageing and Community Access Quality Team will be responsible for:

Ensuring agencies understand their role and the role of others.

Pre‐prepared media statements for each stage of the heatwave are accessible.

Launching of the Communication Strategy to ensure any information released to the public on behalf of Moorabool Shire Council will be able to educate and assist the community to prepare for heatwave emergencies.

Identify and evaluate cooling centres.

Briefings for Council staff on heatwave plan, procedures and movements.

Manager AACA Services to update vulnerability list in Crisis Works

4.2 Preparation Phase

Summer preparation will be effective from December till April each year. This stage will have a strong focus on disseminating information to Council staff and the public on heatwave prevention measures and ensuring health information and support, is readily available to the community, target groups and their carers. Information will be distributed through the means of Moorabool Shire Council’s communication strategy via local newspapers, radio, Council’s website, Councillors report, Chief Executive Officer Briefings, and posters. Prevention messages will also be distributed during home care visits, meals on wheels deliveries and AACA coordinated activities.

The AACA, Environmental Health Unit and Public Relations Units will work together in the following areas:

Ensuring health information and support including prevention messages are readily available to the community, target groups and their carers.

Advise key stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a heatwave.

Distribute and collect consent forms to target groups and their carers, enabling AACA Services to contact clients during extreme weather conditions.

Check Bureau of Meteorology for weekly forecasts.

4.3 Response Phase

Heatwave response will be triggered when Department of Health and Human Services confirms that threshold temperatures have been reached and informs Council.

Actions identified:

1. Contact service providers to initiate required response to Heatwave.

2. Activate media messages for ‘safety during the Heatwave’.

3. Provide current information and educational resources for consumers on the Council’s website.

4. Monitor Bureau of Meteorology during Response Stage.

Communication will increase in frequency during the Heatwave response and include more specific advice. Radio, television and national newspaper warnings would be issued by Department of Health and Human Services. Council may employ additional dissemination methods such as local radio advertisements and distributing information through local community ‘hubs’ and social media.


Community organisations respond to increasing heat stress incidence amongst vulnerable population groups. The community will be encouraged to check on their neighbors or activate a buddy system.

Council may be required to activate other measures such as the Municipal Emergency Management Plan if a heatwave is exacerbated by severity, length, blackouts or other emergencies such as bushfire.

4.3.1 Stand‐by (Heat Alert)

Notify all relevant agencies that a heatwave warning has been provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, and Council will enter standby phase.

Promote prevention messages through the media, and Councils website/social media.

AACA team to visit clients on a regular basis to incorporate prevention messages.

Emergency Evacuation reports are emailed to AACA team every Friday.

Environmental Health and AACA Manager to check Bureau of Meteorology four times a day.

4.3.2 Activation Process (Heatwave Trigger)

The Bureau of Meteorology advises Department of Health and Human Services of impending heatwave across Victoria.

Department of Health and Human Services then will advise Moorabool Shire Council’s heatwave contacts (Emergency Manager, Manager AACA & Environmental Health Coordinator).

If the alert trigger is specific to Moorabool Shire’s geographical area, the heatwave plan will become activated.

Relevant stakeholders will be notified about the heatwave trigger.

Contact stakeholders, who have agreed to provide support and services both within and outside of the cooling centre.

Distribute vulnerability list to AACA to begin making check‐up phone calls to target clients who are not being seen by AACA on the day of the heatwave.

AACA team will contact vulnerable clients via phone calls for daily check‐ups & to incorporate prevention messages.

Check the weekly emergency evacuation report.

Set up visitor’s book for those entering the cooling centre as a means of record keeping and security.

Open and coordinate cooling centres, in the event of an extreme heatwave.

4.3.3 Cooling Centres

A cooling centre is a temporary air‐conditioned public space set up to deal with the health effects of a heatwave.

The cooling centre will be open when the region meets its heatwave threshold of 30 degrees. Moorabool Shire Council has identified two venues (Bacchus Marsh Quamby Centre and the Ballan Senior Citizens) to cater in a heatwave. The venues can hold 200 people with facilities including toilets, showers, kitchen and air conditioning. Centres will have signage erected at the front of each building that indicates they are operating as a Cooling Centre.

The cooling centre will be open from 10am till 6pm with an option of opening until 8pm where deemed necessary by the Manager AACA on the day of the heatwave. A cooling centre will be open at the discretion of the Council and its location and opening hours will be advertised on the day of a heatwave via signage, Facebook and through email and phoning vulnerable clients.

Those attending the cooling centre will need to have personal transport organised to and from the centre. Only at Council’s discretion will a pick‐up bus be organised for those who are living in isolation and have no social support.


The AACA Manager or delegate will coordinate the centres. A list of internal and external volunteers will be generated on the day. The volunteers will assist in administration and set up duties.

The cooling centres will be open to those who are identified in the target group. Those attending the centre will need to sign in and out of the visitor book to ensure Council has a database of those who were present on the day. Upon registration, clients will be asked about information in relation to their health and whether they have packed all medical requirements.

Activities will need to be organised for those who will be at the cooling centres. Activities for adults may include bingo and cards. Children, Youth and Family services may need to organise activities to keep the parents and children occupied during their stay at the cooling centre, this may include games, toys or other activities. All AACA clients identified as at risk will have staffed programs made available at both centres.

Those who receive meals on wheels and are attending the centre on the day will have their meals transported to them. The AACA Manager has developed a Memorandum of Understanding with the local hospitals to ensure that these clients will continue to receive catering away from the house of residence. Meals on Wheels delivery has been documented in contracts.

Catering such as tea, coffee, water and basic refreshments will be provided for all other attendees at the centre.

If Australian Red Cross has available staff, they will providing cooling centre attendees with personal support and health related information. Community Support workers are First Aid trained and will be present at the centre to ensure all minor heat related injuries and symptoms are rectified. All major incidents will be referred onto the local hospitals.

In some cases, those vulnerable/at risk will not wish to leave their home due to having pets. AACA staff and volunteers will need to ensure that both clients and their pets are well catered for during a Heatwave. AACA staff will coordinate pet safety with the Community Safety Coordinator, which might mean that pets can also attend the cooling centre after undertaking a risk assessment and must be secured.

Moorabool Shire has also developed an internal activation procedure for the establishment of cooling centres during Heatwave events. This procedure will be used by Emergency Management and AACA staff.

4.3.4 Pets

Currently Moorabool Shire Council provides 14 cages at the pound, and 4 cat and 4 dog baskets for residents to use. In the event of a Heatwave, RSPCA in Ballarat will be under the same pressure and may not be able to cater for the shires needs.


4.3.5 Emergency Evacuation Reports for Vulnerable Clients in Heatwaves

Home Care Manager is a computer system which houses AACA client data information. It also identifies at risk/vulnerable clients and crisisworks identifies vulnerable people across the Shire (who may not necessarily be an AACA client). All staff have laptops and in case of power failure are able to ascertain information through Home Care manager and the Emergency Evacuation reports. A hard copy of the Vulnerable Persons register, the emergency evacuation reports will be available with the Manager AACA.

4.3.6 Daily checks of at risk clients NOT being seen by community care/AACA/CYF on that day

The volunteers designated to providing assistance to AACA and Child Youth and Family clients during a heatwave will require consent from at risk clients who are not being seen by community care on that day. Those at risk clients who provide consent will receive a phone call during moderate heat days followed by A.M and P.M phone checks as the heat increases. If required, the clients will be visited. Decisions on the operation and provision of services in these conditions of services will be determined on a daily basis by the Manager AACA and the Coordination Team through meetings at 8.30am and 4.30pm.

4.3.7 Maintain regular contact with community care/AACA/CYF staff in relation to clients

All Community Support staff are provided with a mobile phone where text instructions can be sent to staff on client procedures during a heatwave. Home Care Manager has been introduced in Moorabool Shire and is a smartphone system that allows rostering of staff and logging of tasks by staff. Office staff are able to leave a message that will alert staff to any conditions or emergencies. Decisions on messages are made by senior office management, after being discussed at Office Management meetings 8.30am and 4.30pm.

The messages include:

Ensure heating is off

Pull down blinds

Fill jugs (Jugs in sight)

Ensure clients dress appropriately

Make sure clients are drinking

If client is reluctant to drink make jelly’s and encourage to eat

AACA staff to take bottled water to the clients

Upon request from Care Coordinators, check on case managed clients and feed back to packaged care programs

4.3.8 Maintain regular contact with staff in relation to work support

All Community Support staff have been provided with a mobile phone. The AACA team also has access to a Geographical Information System that highlights where staff are at any point in time.

Under extreme conditions the following items are discussed with staff:

Hydration

Discussing the workload – AM shifts vs. PM shifts

o Light cleaning

o Moderate cleaning

o No cleaning

o Personal care only. [Personal care is hygiene and assistance with medication]

Remember to check water levels in your car at night

Do not jump into your car until it is cooled down

Dress appropriately


4.3.9 Recovery Phase

Maintain a community response to clients who continue to be at risk as the heatwave abates.

Provide continuing appropriate media releases.

Continue phone checks after heatwave has ceased to ensure health and safety of clients.

For more information please refer to Moorabool Shire Council’s Recovery Plan.

5 Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure Moorabool Council is delivering on its strategies it must be adaptable and responsive. Monitoring and evaluation not only helps to audit performance, it provides an opportunity to learn. By continuously reviewing and monitoring the performance of this plan and its strategies it is possible to strengthen relationships, build awareness, promote accountability and deliver a more efficient output. Consideration should be given to the following questions in developing the evaluation plan;

How has the community responded to the campaign?

Has the campaign received negative or positive media feedback?

What issues and risks have emerged and how have they been responded to?

Have new priorities emerged?

Are community members still engaging with the program? If not, why and how can this be addressed?

How can the campaign deliver better outcomes next time?

With any engagement campaign of this type, the focus is on the community, which will ultimately guide Council in its decision making processes. Listen to them, consider their views, celebrate successes and adapt accordingly.

Council will undertake an annual review to assess the success and / or areas for improvement for this plan.


References 1. A spatial vulnerability analysis of urban populations to extreme heat events in Melbourne, Report for

the Victorian Department of Health, 2009.

2. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) www.bom.gov.au

3. Commonwealth Heatwave Plan

4. Department of Health Victoria https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/

5. World Health Organisation (WHO)

6. Better Health Channel https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/heat

Resources A range of community resources are available from the Department of Health and Human Services home page as well as that available through the Better Health Channel.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/heat

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/news/survive-heat

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