11/15 Welfare Services in an Emergency

Director's Guideline for Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and agencies with responsibilities for welfare services in an emergency [DGL 11/15]

Welfare services for people and communities affected by emergencies are critical. Robust welfare services arrangements need to be in place for all communities. These support people to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

This guideline expands on welfare arrangements in the National CDEM Plan 2015. It also expands on welfare arrangements in Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) second edition. CIMS second edition was replaced by a third edition in 2019.

The guideline is a reference for welfare services in an emergency. It reflects the Welfare function in emergency management. And it outlines the roles and responsibilities of welfare services agencies.

This guideline is for all agencies with welfare services responsibilities under the National CDEM Plan 2015. It is for any other agency who may give support to a welfare services sub-function.

The guideline:

describes welfare-related activities across the 4Rs (reduction, readiness, response, recovery);
is a key reference document for training and professional development;
has operational guidance on planning, coordination, support and delivery of welfare services; and
includes practical templates, checklists and example procedures.