Natural Disaster Incident Management SOP

Incident Management – Natural Disaster

In case of an earthquake

STOP, DROP, COVER, HOLD. Stop the group immediately and assess whether anyone is injured or the group is in danger. Consider injuries, whether the group is capable of moving, whether the situation could worsen, and whether anyone is lost or missing. Follow the appropriate SOPs from the Safety Management System for the situation. Move the group to a safe location away from hazards such as falling debris or unstable structures, and disconnect any gas connections in huts.

If the incident can be handled without outside help: notify the emergency contact of the group’s condition and intentions, decide as a group how to evacuate (preferring the planned exit or an alternative route), and evacuate slowly, aware of unstable ground.

If external emergency assistance is required: call 111 (Ambulance for medical incidents, Police for missing persons), follow the operator’s directions, or use a PLB if out of range, then create an emergency camp and stay put unless told otherwise by emergency services. Notify the Award Leader of the Authorising Award Unit as soon as practical.

After the journey ends: debrief the incident with the group, complete an incident notification form, provide it to the Award Leader of the Authorising Award Unit, and debrief with that Unit’s appointed staff.

In case of flooding

Stop the group immediately if storm flooding is imminent or has occurred, and assess whether the group is in danger (injuries, mobility, whether the situation could worsen, missing persons). Observe whether water levels are rising or falling, whether the group is in a low-lying area or watercourse, and move to higher ground away from watercourses if necessary. Check whether bridges, roads or paths are affected and consider alternative exit routes; monitor the weather and evacuate early if it is worsening. Conduct regular safety and numbers checks, and watch for rapidly rising water, sudden changes in water colour or clarity, increased flow or turbulence, or unusual sounds — if these occur, move further from the water to higher ground.

The same without-help and external-assistance procedures apply as for earthquakes, evacuating while avoiding flood waters and debris, followed by the same debrief and reporting steps.

In case of a tsunami warning or event

Move the group immediately to the highest point possible, away from water sources, as quickly as possible. Stop and assess for injuries, worsening risk, and missing persons, following the appropriate SOPs. Stay in a safe location away from hazards until the warning is lifted or the water retreats, and listen for Civil Defence updates where possible.

If the incident can be handled without outside help, notify the emergency contact, and evacuate using the planned or an alternative route, staying away from water and unstable structures such as bridges. If external emergency assistance is required, follow the same 111/PLB procedure as above, then debrief and report as described.